Is it the end of Australia again?

A bit of Blamestorming for Ratty Ponting there, with the 'passengers' comment.

Captain's job to marshal the forces to war...

Ban the WAGs, I say. Can't play decent cricket with them around.

Michael Clarke's Aston Martin-driving old lady.

Grrrrrrr

Aussies' loss makes Pietersen smile

Apparently the film is good though.


Trailer

Another (the final?) nail in the coffin...

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ausvrsa2008_09/content/c...nt/story/384692.html

I've really been enjoying the cricket over the past few months

Steyn and Dumminy played some of the best batting under pressure I have seen for their 8th wicket stand.

A very deserved match and series win.

quote:

Originally posted by Kartik:
Another (the final?) nail in the coffin...

South Africa is now the no. 1 test cricketing nation, so I guess it is the final nail in the coffin.

Actually I think SA have to win the next Test in Sydney to rise to the top of the rankings but this is still very impressive. India and SA have closed the gap that used to exist between Australia and 'the rest'.

I was gloating gently, not least at the increasingly morose Ricky Ponting being interviewed, but then of course you remember it was 5:0 when England last toured Oz....

Anyway I've bought my tickets for the Ashes this summer. Great thought.

Bruce

I may live in NZ now but having lived most of my life in SA I have thoroughly enjoyed the series so far and am hoping that SA can make it a whitewash in Sydney.

It would be good to have a new No.1 after all this time, and based on their performance in 2008 Australia simply aren't it.

I agree, Australia just aren't the irresistible team they once were. Thumping every single Test and One Day playing nation at home and abroad for over 10 years with 3 World Cups takes it's toll and to maintain that level of professionalism for such a long period of time must surely be a credit to the players and the associated staff's persistence. Some, poorly teams of the past have taken note.

Australia have played some of the most absorbing cricket I have ever had the pleasure to witness. Michael Bevan was a tantalizing talent to watch and provided some of the most thrilling One Day Cricket, ever..!

South Africa will need to work hard to secure the third test. Australia will not bow and happily surrender their title. They've just about always played second fiddle to the modern expanded 10-15 year version of the ' Invincibles '.

I feel South Africa will have to wait for their deserved test status a little while longer, but that's just my optimism. I am surely hoping for a nail biter and the South Africa of old will once again for old times sake rears it's head and suffocate on it's own assumptions.

It's New Years Day here about 04.19 and I've just finished work, sipping a Vodka and lemonade with Tim Buckley ' Greetings from L.A ' playing in the background on none other than some very fine English HI-FI equipment.

Happy New Year and good health to all members and your families for 09.

Akseland