Other Sports: Page 8 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

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Burnwinter

Steve Waugh led that team even when he wasn't captain, Ponting inherited a juggernaut after most of the opposition had evaporated temporarily.

Most of Ponting's captaincy consists of applying Waugh and Taylor's tenets without as much wit and verve - eg the medium pace bowling change. Waugh and Taylor did it with panache, Ponting does it by rote.

But I may just be biased 😉

Rohit

Yeah, i agree with all that, was only putting forth some facts.

I don't believe myself that Ponting is as good a captain as either Taylor or Waugh, let alone better but even then such quibbles should not detract from his captaincy record which in terms of win% was 80% when McGrath and Warne were playing. He also won two World Cups, Australia being unbeaten in both and won a Test series in India, the final frontier as Waugh called it.

The Ashes though will always remain a taint.

Burnwinter

It's a good topic of discussion, the comparison of Ponting with his predecessors. In my case I've still (even now) got a bit of a slant against the guy because of his off-field shenanigans when he was a real youngster. He doesn't quite have that touch of class about him. But that's really not a cricketing issue at all.

Either way, the loss of the Ashes was a shame because it drew a line under our golden era. Australian cricket can never be regarded as flourishing domestically while we're not clobbering England.

Clarke has his double ton now. No real sign of slowing down - incredible innings. I think India's spirit must be just about broken.

Rohit

We lacked intensity from the very first ball today and that isn't excusable.

Only the rain gods can save us now and a batting miracle not seen before. The pitch has certainly slowed down, but there is no way we will be able to hold out for 7 - 8 sessions when we haven't been able to bat one full day in this series so far. Abominable performance by India so far.

Burnwinter

Turning into a slaughter at the moment.

Run rate is creeping up and the Hussey Clarke partnership has already hit 150 runs. Grim day for Indian cricket - my condolences Rohit.

FantasticMrFox

I've had it. I have been waking up at 1:30 AM every morning to see India getting flattened. A very demoralising performance by India. Australia will have a really good attack once Pat Cummins returns. Similar situation with South Africa-Sri Lanka game. The Sri Lankans have been bowling rubbish over the last two days.

Timbob

Rohit wrote:
...and won a Test series in India, the final frontier as Waugh called it.

Didin't Gilchrist captain that team?

Would love to have seen Warne captain Australia over a prolonged period,but he'd have probably done something off the field and been stripped of it before too long.

Anyway, Clarke 250 odd not out, Kallis 200 odd. Batting feats all over the place.

Rohit

Tim wrote:
Rohit wrote:
...and won a Test series in India, the final frontier as Waugh called it.

Didin't Gilchrist captain that team?

My bad, it was Gilchrist indeed 🙂

Tim wrote:
Would love to have seen Warne captain Australia over a prolonged period,but he'd have probably done something off the field and been stripped of it before too long.

What Warne did with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL was truly remarkable. I understand why many would scoff at his achievements with an IPL team but having worked with the franchise for 4 years now, having been part of each season including when we won it in the first year, having seen Warne's every move, he certainly has a lot going for him as captain and a lot that is annoying too. I reckon he would have been very successful with Australia, he has a cricketing brain unlike any other in cricket. The problem is his personality can be repelling and he wouldn't command the respect that for example Waugh did.

Timbob

Y'know, it's not inconcievable that Clarke could beat the world record here. Pitch is still flat, bowling attack is weak and tired. They could bat for most of the day, gving themselves an hour or so at the Indians tonight. At this stage I'd say he's about a 30% chance to do it.

Burnwinter

I think he'll be given a chance to go for it provided the runs keep flowing, but surely Ponting's got to declare by halfway through the third session at the latest.

Timbob

Clarke is the Captain Burns! 😆

Timbob

Cricket commentators really chat shite at times. Listening to Tong Greig and ian Healy discuss pigeon diseases at the moment.

Burnwinter

@Tim Argh, early morning here. Right.

Well, I hope Clarke takes his decision in consultation with Ponting 😉

Timbob

Time wise I think Clarke will be fine for the world record, still over 2 1/2 days to go in this match, and Clarke always scores quickly. Looking at his recent shots I think he might give a few chances away soon though. He's starting to look very tired and ragged.

Burnwinter

First things first. The triple century, then Taylor's 334, then Bradman's 365, then Hayden's 375 etc.

He's just cracked another couple of boundaries. Death can't come soon enough for the Indian attack.

Burnwinter

Burnwinter wrote:
First things first. The triple century, then Taylor's 334, then Bradman's 365, then Hayden's 375 etc.

Ahem, I mean Taylor/Bradman's 334, Sobers' 365, Lara's 375, Hayden's 380 etc. And Jayawardene is in there as well apparently.

invisibleman18

Incredible innings so far. Hard to believe this side were skittled by New Zealand the other week. Don't particularly like Clarke but it would be good to see a triple century anyway.

Timbob

Clarke gets his triple.

Timbob

Right, I'm now giving Clarke a 50/50 shot at the record. Shot a ball at the moment, if he get's there he'll get there soon.

Burnwinter

Strike rate at around 70 is comparable to Lara's when he got the 400.

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