Print

[skip1973]

Tasmania just dropped Paine, he is right off the radar.

[Vic Nicholas]

Steve Smith has slapped his way to yet another test hundred.

Where is that goose Freddie Flintoff, who took to Twitter to tell the world how he thought that the 21 year old Steve Smith was quite possibly the worst number 6 batsman he had ever seen? What were you doing at 21 Freddie, aside from eating pizzas and being a fat f**k?

Michael Clarke surprised everybody when he walked out to bat this morning. It was immediately obvious he cannot bend and play shots properly. Playing unusual stiff back swipes, Clarke has somehow turned his 60 Retired Hurt into a gutsy hundred. I have never seen anything quite like it.

Will be interesting to see how the much vaunted Indian batting line up goes on this flat pitch. Rain has wiped out a large chunk of play though...so, will be interesting to see if either team can force a result.

[Number4]

Steve Smith has slapped his way to yet another test hundred.

Where is that goose Freddie Flintoff, who took to Twitter to tell the world how he thought that the 21 year old Steve Smith was quite possibly the worst number 6 batsman he had ever seen? What were you doing at 21 Freddie, aside from eating pizzas and being a fat f**k?

Michael Clarke surprised everybody when he walked out to bat this morning. It was immediately obvious he cannot bend and play shots properly. Playing unusual stiff back swipes, Clarke has somehow turned his 60 Retired Hurt into a gutsy hundred. I have never seen anything quite like it.

Will be interesting to see how the much vaunted Indian batting line up goes on this flat pitch. Rain has wiped out a large chunk of play though...so, will be interesting to see if either team can force a result.

Knowing Clarkes captaining style I would say he will set the game so India have a small sniff of victory to give Australia a chance to take control and win

[InternalTraining]

Michael Clarke surprised everybody when he walked out to bat this morning. It was immediately obvious he cannot bend and play shots properly. Playing unusual stiff back swipes, Clarke has somehow turned his 60 Retired Hurt into a gutsy hundred. I have never seen anything quite like it.

Will be interesting to see how the much vaunted Indian batting line up goes on this flat pitch. Rain has wiped out a large chunk of play though...so, will be interesting to see if either team can force a result.

No, you didn't. Here come gripes about "unsporting" pitches. 

[ppccopener]

Clarke is a brilliant player and captain.Savour it now thou because his back condition is getting worse
Atherton retired around the same age with a chronic back condition

[Number4]

Clarke is a brilliant player and captain.Savour it now thou because his back condition is getting worse
Atherton retired around the same age with a chronic back condition

But you are comparing a soft Englishman to a hard Aussie

[ProCricketer1982]

Steve 'Clubbie' Smith is rapidly becoming my favourite player in the game. Love watching him bat.

[Number4]

Steve 'Clubbie' Smith is rapidly becoming my favourite player in the game. Love watching him bat.

They showed a replay of a shot he played today... The camera was directly above him.... It was one of his usually slappy shots but from above it showed how he held his shape and technically it looked quite good

[ProCricketer1982]

They showed a replay of a shot he played today... The camera was directly above him.... It was one of his usually slappy shots but from above it showed how he held his shape and technically it looked quite good

not quite got that far   Just starting todays play so get to watch clarke and him get tons then see the analysis.

[Number4]

I think it was when they came back after the first rain break

[uknsaunders]

I watched about half an hour of the first session and India's bowling to Clarke was dreadful. Here's a guy who cannot bend or extend his front foot and he's not having to reach for anything. Having had back issues, getting forward to a ball is hard to do but India simply didn't think about it. If they can't get a crock out (no matter how well or bravely he batted) then it's going to be a long series.

[Number4]

After the rain delay they bowled bouncers at him from around the wicket.... The umpire said " Change of plan Michael, they are bowling body line" Classic comment!!!

[Gerry SA]

Magnificent centuries by Pup and Steve Smith. Australia's next Test captain is without question going to be Smith.

First time in Australia's Test history that three centurions have come from the same state.

[Vic Nicholas]

No, you didn't. Here come gripes about "unsporting" pitches. 

The pitch is a typical Adelaide pitch of the like that have remained largely unaltered since the mid 70s.

You can score 500 in your first innings, but then the wicket takes spin on day five and makes chasing rather hard.

[Vic Nicholas]

Clarke is a brilliant player and captain.Savour it now thou because his back condition is getting worse
Atherton retired around the same age with a chronic back condition

I fear you will be proven correct.

Michael Slater also has the same spinal condition and his career ended earlier than it should have.