Geez you guys,I thought the poms were supposed to be the whingers!At least give some credit where it is due!Umpires do not win/lose test matches.Referees can lose you a footie game with one bad call,but over a 5 day game good/bad decisions tend to even out.The poms have simply outplayed us as a team,they have a blend of youth & expereience,which we simply cannot match with our ageing team.They are so full of confidence and unless we can pull a rabbit out of the hat we are gone for all money.IMO Ponting is not a good skipper,and Vaughan is exposing that.Look at pontings decision not to bat first at edgbaston,that cost us the match.Look at the way vaughan rotates his bowlers so well.Look at his tactical yet unorthodox field placings.Look at how well his bowlers BOWL to the field placings.Our batsmen,top order in particular,are now intimidated by Freddie and co.so the boot is on the other foot,and sadly our blokes are being found wanting.
IMO Ponting ended Dizzies carreer at Edgbaston by bowling him so late,he is basically a new ball bowler.If Warnie hadn't started to screw up years ago when he was being groomed for the captaincy,it could be a different ball game.Maybe he is venting his spleen over his private life,BUT he is the only one(IMO)that is taking it to the poms,and he is the only player they respect.
Brett Lee is just a pretty boy that can bowl fast.His figures per wicket are atrocious.IMO its time for a changing of the guard.Time for Hodges,Haddin,Clarke,Symonds(WISH he was there,he has no fear)and co. to take over.Now,not in 3 years time.How they could of used Michael Bevan on this tour.The selectors should not be left out either,they picked this squad on reputation more than considering form and age,and its backfired on them badly.
My only advice to Ponting is to open the batting and bowling with Warne,and let him bat & bowl FRO BOTH ENDS!!!!Then we might be a chance.
Cheers