Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

If this test showed one thing, it was that modern batsmen can't grit it out against the moving ball. It is obviously not all about bats, but a lot about pitches that favor the batsmen these days. Would like to see a least one pitch with similar characteristics in Aus to get the batsmen working harder.

Australian wickets in the last year or so have been poor. The Gabba is pretty much what you expect, but the WACCA was a poor joke. Perhaps it is time for it to be retired. Melbourne and Sydney weren't a lot better last year.

With the WACA's replacement to have drop-in wickets - joining the Gabba, Adelaide, MCG and the SCG - anodyne wickets look like the go from here on in.

However, there has been a bit of whinging going on in the media about this, so will the curators get CA instructions (as if CA has anything to do with the state of pitches....) to leave a bit more grass on? This test has been by far the most interesting of the series. More of a challenging pitch has brought that about - but CA won't like the 3 day result.

It's easy to blame drop in pitches, but we have just seen how a little more grass can change things dramatically. Batmen would adapt and test would last longer, but not at 5-6 runs an over. How is Bellerive playing these days?

The Sozzies just got 7/600 - after being put in to bat.

They were bowled out for less than 200 in the 2nd innings though. No idea how much the pitch played in the 2nd, but it sure had some say in the 1st innings. Which sounds typical Bellerive.

On Lyon-gate, NZ have complained to the ICC, which I think is the right thing to do to ensure the correct processes are followed in the future.

Lehmann has said it should have been given out.

NZ have said they don't attempt to have contact with umpires during the game on a matter of principle. That contrasts with England under Flower who sought to influence the umpires on at least couple of occasions that I remember: the Bell run out at TB, and an occasion when he gave the umpires a volley about being off for a wet outfield.

Think it is the right thing to do from NZ. At least to get an adequate explanation as to how the decision was arrived at.

I was not aware of the Lyon incident until today.

From what I have read Lyon should have been given out on the hot spot. Not sure why the third umpire felt that wasn't conclusive.

To show what an unusual Adelaide test that Adelaide test was, Peter Nevill(e) scored the "lowest ever highest score in a Test at the Adelaide Oval".