You coming down this time SteB?

May I have a talk with you - Stevie Ray Vaughan Yes, I'm listening to a lot of him... great

I think you are probably right,pg. A step too far for Bird at this stage? Maybe, but you never know, Aus has always produced some unknowns. As for Watson, I think he's had his chance. Siddle, he's this generations "Merve" I note that the first part of this post was not replied to. Come on John, what's the difference?

Can't agree there B&WR. What would happen if he knicked it onto his pad and it wasn't picked up, and he was given LBW! This is a typical beat up from Aussie tabloid TV. They're fishing for something that isn't there, IMO.

LOL, we're back to Lord Haw Haw, and trying to appeal to the "your second team" scenario. Bloody pathetic, that's what you are. What a simpleton, just keep taking the 30 pieces, John. Rupert will be pleased.

How things change in the blink of an eye.

Wouldn't bother B&WR, he's a champagne socialist. Do as I say, not as I do, that's his mantra. He can't comprehend that others, from overseas, can be as good if not better. How can you not appreciate the talents of the like of Lara, Tendulkar, Warne and Murili and those other very talented cricketers from the "former colonies"?

So, according to you, Pietersen is no different to me in "transferring' allegiance to another country, except, he did it for money; I did it because I enjoyed living here. John, Id suggest that you stick to writing about Maggie Thatcher (see Thenodrogs sig) and how Dwight Yorke was going to be the saviour of BRFC, and taking murdoch's 30 pieces of silver.

The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble-Voodoo Child Great blues.....if you like Hendrix

Sorry pg, can't accept Pietersen at all. The cricket equivalent of a football mercenary. In it for him and nothing else. And, to the murdoch employee, I'm Australian now, have been for many a year, they are my team, through thick and thin. I accept that they are off the pace at the moment, but they are on the turn and with a little more luck could well be 2-1 up in this series. Still I know they'll give everything in the next two tests, because they'll want to be giving it large on their own turf.

To be fair, it's hard to find a nick from Pietersen there. Close, but no cigar. Some muffled noise, that's all. England's attitude is strange, why don't they play their normal game?

If you have to rely on the weather to beat an ordinary, fractured Australian team, then I suppose it is. But the tide will turn..... Mind you, the weather at the return tests in Aus tends to be somewhat erratic. My disappointment is with back-to-back ashes tests. What's wrong with every four years? It's not that hard, with so few countries playing test cricket, is it?

Jeez, Bryan, he took a fair bit of his pad at the same time. That's hardly being thick. Perhaps Clarke was to blame for not telling him. or they are just as thick as the England and wales cricket team for wasting their DRS.

If England want to get their league on a par with the NRL, they'd do worse than to get the four (yes Four) Burgess brothers back to the super league from Souths (who are top of the comp at the moment). Sam, especially has been playing like he was brought up in the NRL.

The Things I used to do- Stevie Ray Vaughan

Unfortunately pg, I've got more chance of being called up than Katich. He should be though, there's a passion to the way he plays and it would make the dressing room an "interesting' place for a fly on the wall.

Neekoy, I'm of the opinion that Clarke is not well liked in the dressing room. I agree entirely about Watson. Not convinced about Cowan and Rogers. Khawaja deserves a go, Hughes is too fragile, Warner too impetuous. We are very thin in the batting stakes at the moment. Check out Catherine Mcgregor's article on the ABC website and take the time to read some of the comments left by readers. Some very scathing remarks aimed at James Sutherland. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-22/mcgregor-ashes-lords-review/4834386 Here's another one that bores it up Watson: http://www.sportsfan.com.au/watson-needs-a-reality-check/tabid/91/newsid/109117/default.aspx

Jim Maxwell (ABC Cricket commentator) says that Clarke could retire within the next twelve months. He (Maxwell) says that Clarke has said that he's not going to be like Ponting and hang around. Some glimmer of hope, but who to replace him with? I think the situation that Australia find themselves in is a direct result of being so successful for a long time. With the players they had being so good no one else could get a look in. Bowling stocks aren't too bad, but the batting has been woeful (with a couple of exceptions).

Did you hear my sigh of relief when he didn't call for the review. Hopefully that's the last of Watson opening. On Doug Walters; a great eye, loved a smoke and a beer. I have one memory of him from the mid 70's. I worked with Doug's cousin. One friday they went out on the turps, late late at night ended up back in our office, emptied the bosses fridge, and shortly after Doug made his way to the SCG to play for NSW. He's one of the few that scored a ton in a session. Legend.

This is directed at me. I'm a "traitor", am I? I have never sold my principles for money. I could never work for someone like Murdoch, and have , in fact turned down mega dollars from a potential employer on a principle. I will now get personal, just as you have over the years. As I normally have you on ignore (the only one I have on this message board) I don't respond to your constant jibes, nor do I do things by pm or reports to mods et al. On this occasion though I will respond, and in a manner similar to yours. Here, board members, we have a Murdoch employee. Remember Murdoch, that champion of all that is right wing, of wanting more money, power, and to be able to influence politicians, and yet our "Jim/Doris/John" lets everyone know that his political persuasion is left wing. What hubris, he wants the rest to do as he says, not as he does. You take your 30 p of silver and yet declare allegiance to the workers of England, after what Murdoch did? John, go polish that bald pate and stop being an utter prune. Finally, son, why don't you "reveal" your name? Why does it get XXXX'd out? Perhaps I should put up the link to the Dwight Yorke is the saviour of Blackburn Rovers article?

Not right, you have to have something on the ground, behind the line. On the line is out. Broad, well that's something he, as an individual, has to make an instantaneous decision on. How he feels is his own concern, it's in the past now and is irrelevant. The result is now in the record books.

That 1993 test, was that the one where they showed photos of Waugh's body after the game? He had so many bruises from taking the hits!

Nate and pg said it all. Get our batsmen to their bit and it's a totally different game.

sad news, RIP Woz, The world has lost a valuable member.

I think Finn is gone, for the short term at least.