Hi Ho All,

Firstly, congrats to Australia. 16 tests in a row and some wonderful batting
by Hayden, Hussey and Hogg. I also enjoyed Stuart Clark's bowling; for me he
is Australia's best by far. Lee is getting better it would seem and I still
can't believe they consider Johnson, let alone pick him (and this is coming
from a Queenslander).

And congrats to India, who in the face of some diabolical situations have at
least held their head up high (although Harbijhan may have lost the plot,
time will tell) and given a sterling performance that the history books
won't show. Not a far superior effort to the poor showing in Melbourne, but
if things had gone the right way (and there were a few things that went
India's way) then we could have had a very different game. Most enjoyable
was LAxman and Tendulka's efforts, but I also enjoyed Dravid's batting. As
slow as it was, it was great to see him fight through his poor form posting
two good scores ... it reminded me of Greg Chappel regaining form after tha
string of ducks. Great to watch a champion fight back.

And India may very well do the same. Ignoring the unfair aspects, India lost
it in their bowling, just. But they are clearly on the improve and very
close to catching them. The scorecard may read Australia by 122 runs, but
the truth is, and the Australian team knows it (just look at the rather
excitable celebarations ... and they say football players are over the top),
that they only won the game with 7 balls to spare and an awful lot of good
luck going their way. Reverse the luck and they know they are in deep doo
doo.

As for the comments below, well they make sense from someone who is a fan of
the losing team, so for that I say fair enough. As I look at neither winning
or losing from a fan's point of view I'm not going to go there. It is
disappointing that so many poor decisions can happen in one game, with more
of them favouring one team over another.

I'm far more disappointed with Symmonds and the damage he has done with his
comments after not walking; not walking is a 50/50 issue that will never go
away, fine. But the way he put it ... cheat and good luck to you if you get
away with it. Very disappointing indeed. I'd rather lose than win by
cheating is the simple way to look at it.

Anyway, bring on the next one ... when and where is the next one?

Cheers
Christopher

> Not only have the umpires continued at work of giving bad decisions
> against
> India but even the aussies have lost the last bit of sportsmanship in the
> game left. They appealed when everyone in their heart knew dravid was no
> way
> near the ball and now clarke has claimed a catch which clearly bounced. I
> am
> afraid this is not cricket for me. This is a very very poor example and
> very
> bad ad for the game.
>
> This is disgraceful..all 5 days we have been screwed again and again by
> both
> umpires on field and even the 3rd umpire..a game we deserved to win has
> been
> converted to a probable defeat by the 3 great gentlemen in white and some
> unsporting cricket.