Third Test

[Omaroo]

Is Dave Warner on fire, or what? His intensity level is turned up two full notches above everyone else out there. The bloke is a text book example of what it takes to make it in the field with brilliant boundary coverage and catching hands, and now he reckons he's playing 20/20 at the wicket. The guy's amazing :) He is one fella I'll be barracking for for a while I reckon. To top it off, he's very humble in front of an interviewer.

[Omaroo]

101 of 69 - bought up with a 6. Unbelievable innings. The openers look like exceeding the Indian 1st innings total. 5th fastest century of all time. :thumbsup: You're a legend Warner, you ripper! :)

[scagman]

Looks like Warner is going to to it on his own, Cowan's is only the icing on the cake.

glad Warner wears a hard hat

[danielsun]

Yeah, how good was that to watch! Warner was toying with them and Cowan looking good too. I hope he gets a ton too.:thumbsup:

[Exfso]

Damn right that was/is one very special innings. Superb timing on his shots. Taking into consideration this is I think only his 5th test innings, man what potential. Awesome display of power batting...

[Lester]

He is a class act, batting and fielding. Should help to draw crowds through the gates also. Can't wait for the next ashes series.

[rainwatcher]

Watched it all day, went out for dinner (indian) and missed his innings. Sounds fantastic. What a pity India have not been a better opposition. Looking forward to the ashes now. Good attack, but i dont see the point of resting Patterson.

[Ric]

It was a great first day to watch.

A fine display from Australia both with the bat and ball.

[TinyBlueDot]

Oooh yes, what an innings (so far...;) copped one on the scone, and kept on truckin'
Warner's special; gee who remembers Watto now??? He aint taking Warner's spot back!!!
Watto's biggest downside was how he used to act like a peanut, with the sledging and carrying on after taking a wicket :rolleyes:
Warner's pretty humble, lets his bat (and fielding arm...) do the talking
Just have to hope the Powers that Be don't over cosset him!!
This series is going like the England tour prior to the last one - Harmy's wide start and ended up 5-0 (and Gilly's 57 ball 100) Indians look old and spent.

John

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Yes I enjoyed the first day too and it was terrific. For mine, the most incredible thing has been the change in Australia's bowling over the last 12-odd months. I wasn't particularly impressed when they decided on Craig McDermott as the bowling coach but figures don't lie, he has transformed the attack.

Last season the Australian bowlers could hardly buy a wicket let alone take the twenty necessary to win a test match. They were straight, inconsistent and hittable but this season they've been miserly, the ball has been hooping around all over the place for them and they look like they're about to take a wicket at any moment -- all the time. Craig McDermott really has done a very good job with them, particularly Siddle and Hilfenhaus both of whom I always thought were going to be pro-tem members of the side until someone with real ability turned up on the scene. Despite injuries, the attack has performed consistently and whoever is in the side for any given test-match does the job. Just think, if they were all fit we have Siddle, Harris, Hilfenhaus, Johnson, Pattinson, Cummins, Copeland, Starc and Hazelwood all vying for one of three spots. That's a good position to be in !

Once everyone is fit, Watson at No 3, I think they will make a very formidable side. It would be good if there were a couple of young batting prodigies hammering on the door demanding Ponting and Hussey's spots (when they do retire) but maybe that'll be next season.

On the other side of the coin, the Indians have looked pretty ordinary with the only batsman to do well is the great Tendulkar. Dravid ought to give it away I think. Bowled 4/5 times in the series so far says: I don't have the timing or the reflexes/mental speed to play at this level any more. Dravid is a great player but is past his use-by date. What has happened to Ishant Sharma over the last few years? He was a top quality young bowler last time they were here but now looks pedestrian. What is the underlying fault behind all this? Maybe IPL T/20 ??

Looking forward to another mauling today ...


Best,

Les D