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[basket case]

I think Sachin has averaged more than 40 since his last ton - so I would say he is pretty consitent given the pressure on him...

Yes granted but in 2010 he averaged like 60-70, so he's in a decline of sorts.

[basket case]

I do rate Clarke and he looked better that Ponting in the middle for his big score yesterday.
Obviously he'd struggle more against the likes of England as compared to the weaker Indian bowling attack. But he hit some great runs against SA and their attack is very good, so he is extremely capable to say the least!
Last time against England he didn't look good at all, but I suspect that his form and confidence are a lot higher now than they were back then!

The biggest issue that the Aussies have after the last couple of Tests is what to do about Ponting and Hussey!
I feel it would have been better if Ponting had of played badly, but as he looks on better form now the selectors may not see the need to try other players in that spot! I could see Ponting actually still playing International Test cricket and retiring after 2013!! But is that a good thing?

There's 3 players I'd think are likely to return in the future. Watson, Khawaja and Hughes.

I think Watson will bat at 6 in the future. I think Shaun Marsh will be dropped and Khawaja will replace him.

I think when Ponting does retire, then Cowan could move down to 3 so Hughes can open with Warner.

[Buzz]

i think Watson should be at 6 too, but I doubt it will happen.

I don't think Hughes is good enough having said that, he is very young and could spend 5 seasons sorting out his technique and then he would still be young enough to have a big test career.

Please can one of the Aussies say why no-one has every told him how to hold the bat???

[basket case]

i think Watson should be at 6 too, but I doubt it will happen.

I don't think Hughes is good enough having said that, he is very young and could spend 5 seasons sorting out his technique and then he would still be young enough to have a big test career.

Please can one of the Aussies say why no-one has every told him how to hold the bat???

Phillip Hughes is a funny one. Run machine at Shield level. Averages close to 55 in the Shield, so can't be a bad player. Still think he's better than Shaun Marsh though.

[petehosk]

Watson would be brilliant at 6 - excellent all-rounder! And I agree that Hughes is not good enough!!
I think Khawaja has a future too, as well as the batch of new fast bowlers who look very good indeed. Whenever I've seen Cummins I've been extremely impressed.

It's funny but from a Brit point of view I normally judge an Aussie by how much I want them to play!
For example I'm more than happy for Hugues to play as he is rarely a danger and his technique is soon exposed 99% of the time...and the same with Marsh.
I always preferred Katich not to play as he looked like a better batsman!!

So what are the guesses for when the selectors will start these changes?

[basket case]

Watson would be brilliant at 6 - excellent all-rounder! And I agree that Hughes is not good enough!!
I think Khawaja has a future too, as well as the batch of new fast bowlers who look very good indeed. Whenever I've seen Cummins I've been extremely impressed.

It's funny but from a Brit point of view I normally judge an Aussie by how much I want them to play!
For example I'm more than happy for Hugues to play as he is rarely a danger and his technique is soon exposed 99% of the time...and the same with Marsh.
I always preferred Katich not to play as he looked like a better batsman!!

So what are the guesses for when the selectors will start these changes?

I'd guess that Hussey will go after the tour of the West Indies. I think Punter will certainly play in the 2013 Ashes series. And possibly the return series in 2013-14 as well.

[basket case]

I'd also say, whether you like or dislike the Indians, it's the last time you will see Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar and possibly Khan. They don't play another Test until October. An end of an era.

[kaustav]

While India is sure to go down again in this test as well, but one of the better if not the best partnership of the series has come between two youngsters. I think the selectors should at least pay a little fu****g attention to this. Youngsters do not have too much excess baggage in their heads and it is time they are given a fair run. Laxman again failed. I dunno why Rohit Sharma did not get a go. This is just too much!! 

[kaustav]

First hundred by an Indian batsman in the series...lol; well played Kohli though the team is looking at another innings defeat.  I just hope the BCCI will not forget this drubbing soon for India's sake.

[langer17]

Another duck for Shaun Marsh. He is now gone from the team for a little while.

[langer17]

On replay, Marsh was hit well outside the off stump, oh dear.

Cowan gone now too. Ashwin opened and is bowling really well.

The pitch looks like it is starting to bite a bit, so India will have to deal with the worst of it.

[kaustav]

Dont worry even if Australia got all out for under 100 they will win comfortably. And as far as the pitch is concerned it really does not matter on what surface the Indian batsmen play---they will still fail.

[petehosk]

Marsh may have been unlucky this time, but he is obviously very short on confidence and needs to get that. And he's unlikely to get confidence and get back on decent form at International level.
I'd tend to bring in Khawaja at 3 really?

[yvk3103]

I think India should voluntarily give up their test playing nation status.

They anyways do not play many tests and the ones they play, they are like a joke (at least overseas).

Good thing is the next test series is a good 7-8 months away and we may not see the vetrans.

Bad thing is that the youngsters coming into the team will have no test experience.

As request to MSD and BCCI, please don't get Raina in the test side. Gamble with Sehwag alone is too much.

Look forward to Rohit Sharma, Pujara, Rahane and Irfan Pathan making a comeback.

[yvk3103]

Just to add BCCI plaese ignore Vinay Kumar as well.

MSD please put your love for the nation before CSK in picking a team.