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[Wedge2408]

Wade apparently injured his cheekbone while batting at training. They reckon he will be right to play, but if not it looks like Hughes will keep!!!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013/content/story/623122.html?CMP=chrome

[Number4]

Signs are ominous. Kumar 3 for 36 and Ashwin 4 overs and 4 maidens. Pitch is staying very low and Watson out lbw trying to pull a ball that was a half tracker that struck him just above the knee roll.. Ball is also seaming a little. Interesting indeed

[Jenko]

Interesting team too. I know we all bag out the "Big Show" but here is his chance. Lyon goneskis.....Spin twins in Maxwell and Doherty.

[Number4]

Ball isn't turning much just yet but Ashwin is bowling with some nice flight and varying pace.

Then Sharma comes on and whips a bouncer past Clarkes nose

[alba caerulea]

So two days after Clarke pledged his support to Lyon he is dropped from the team. And for a spinner to be dropped in India in favor of Doherty or Maxwell does not reflect kindly

Whos decision was it?

[ppccopener]

If the selection system is the same as when Australia dominated in the 90's and early 2000's the captain is given the team without much input.
That policy has been successful in the past
Clarke has to back his players in the media and rightly so.
Its different to how we pick the side where captain and coach have an input

[alba caerulea]

Any policy would have worked when you had the players Australia had in previous eras. You or me could have picked those teams and they still would have won. Bit different now that the talent pool is limited and make up of the side could be the deciding factor. I rate Clarke highly as a captain so would want him involved with selection. If I was Australian 

Looks to me as though the selectors and the captain have very different views which cannot be good. To back a player and then drop him is not right it's contradictory and quite ridiculous

I can't find the article now but I'm pretty sure it read something along the lines of Clarke saying - 'I expect Lyon to bounce back and take wickets in the 2nd Test'. I wouldn't he happy if I was Lyon anyway, I'd rather be told straight - 'sorry you have underperformed, we want to change something now while the series is still winnable'

[ppccopener]

Fair point and it could be clarke wants more say in selection and is putting on the pressure thru the media.
Im watching the game and one thing i do know is Clarke is far and away the best aussie batsman in recent years
He is high high class .
Not sure ive seen a better player of spin in the modern game,jayawardena excepted possibly.
Clarke is hampered,he must want spinners in his side but cannot find anyone good enough

[Binsy]

Can't argue with Clarke's performances. I would put him ahead of Amla and Cook as best batsmen in the world currently.

[Number4]

Aus declare at 9/237... What tha?

[i12breakfree]

Aus declare at 9/237... What tha?

Have to appreciate the fact that they want to try their chances and get a wicket
specially with shewag's form anything is possible

[Number4]

Problem is that Sehwag is due for a big score

[The_Bird]

I love clarke's captaincy, never afraid to try anything and keep the opposition thinking. Problem is he doesn't have world class bowlers that are able to back up that ingenuity and out of the box thinking. They'd be 4 down by the close of play if warne and McGrath were playing.

[Number4]

I love clarke's captaincy, never afraid to try anything and keep the opposition thinking. Problem is he doesn't have world class bowlers that are able to back up that ingenuity and out of the box thinking. They'd be 4 down by the close of play if warne and McGrath were playing.

Totally agree.. I love how he isn't afraid to take a risk... Just don't think this was the time to do it... Or maybe he will just make me look like a goose

[400notout]

I think he either 1. doesnt fancy batting on a day 4/5 pitch 2. has a game of golf arranged for day 5...

But fair play to him, I like this risktaking, if they'd taken two in that small session, he'd have been classed a genius!