WI tour of Australia, Dec 2 - Jan 7

[GarlicJam]

Well, an Aussie poster will tell us Usman is from Islamabad, I'm sure.

My wife was born in Bradford on Avon. Came out when she was a littlun, and she saw the light. She is Aussie through and through. Usman was raised in and learned his cricket in NSW.

[GarlicJam]

I knew Usman grew up in NSW. I'm not sure I knew AB wasn't a Queenslander though.

As someone who watched his career from the moment he was selected for NSW, it was a sad day when he deserted the town of his birth.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Allan Border heaven now though. Two Queenslanders batting.

Although, just like Border (and Thommo), Khawaja is a NSWelshman, who has moved north of the border.

I have long been puzzled and a bit infuriated by Border's enthusastic uptake of everthing QLD. It is akin to a Yorkie upping stakes, moving across the Penines (for the filthy lucre) and then declaring everything Lancastrian to be the best and himself a Lancastrian through and through.

There's a rivalry? Isn't NSW too important to bother having a rivalry with QL?

[GarlicJam]

Good point, but even Yorkies have that rivalry with Lancastrians.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, an Aussie poster will tell us Usman is from Islamabad, I'm sure.

My wife was born in Bradford on Avon. Came out when she was a littlun, and she saw the light. She is Aussie through and through. Usman was raised in and learned his cricket in NSW.

Yeah, Usman, Symonds, KP, I've never made a fuss about that sort of thing. If you're a citizen, then you're eligible.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Better turn in before you tell me off...

[GarlicJam]

Yeah, Usman, Symonds, KP, I've never made a fuss about that sort of thing. If you're a citizen, then you're eligible.

KP, I don't agree with. Strauss - the fuss about him was ridiculous, but Pietersen was purely a matter of convenience. He was just lucky that he qualified. He was born AND raised in SA, he learnt his cricket in SA. He's a yarpie with a 3 lions tattoo.


Convenience and massive ingratitude, imo. Sure, he was eligible, but that doesn't mean I have to like it - just lump it.

[GarlicJam]

Better turn in before you tell me off...

too late?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well deserved!

[meninblue]

Windies out of the match in just two and half sessions. Well played by Joe and Usman.

[mikesiva]

Centuries for Burns and Khawaja...is it the turn of Smith and Voges now?

I am surprised that Mitch Marsh kept his place ahead of his brother.

[Making_Splinters]

I am amazed that Holder put Australia into bat, watched the first session and there was little to suggest that there was any benefit to it.

I wonder if he is under pressure from Australia to make the match last more than three days.

[The Professor]

I really don't know how to gauge the success of these Australian batsmen. The West Indies bowling and fielding is so godawful poor that it's hard to know what they would do against a proper team.

[Making_Splinters]

I really don't know how to gauge the success of these Australian batsmen. The West Indies bowling and fielding is so godawful poor that it's hard to know what they would do against a proper team.

I thought the West Indies bowled pretty well for most of the morning session after the carnage of the first three overs. As always with the West Indies it is a case of keeping that going for more than a session, aside from Samuels and Taylor all of the side are 30 or younger and there is some promise there.

Australia batted pretty well against New Zealand who have a good pace attack, and in parts batted pretty well against England away from home. Burns looks a real find at the top of the order if he can keep his concentration outside off stump and Ussie has always been a quality player who is just starting to come good on his promise.

[The Professor]

At times they were bowling two or three long hops an over. Easy to sky it over the boundary.