Okay, is anyone at all interested in this farce of a Cricket series???

As soon as they decided many months ago to schedule it AFTER the Ashes Series, I thought there was a BIG chance that decision could come back to bite the ICC.

I know the old theory about having to beat the number one team both at home AND away before you take their crown, and I know that the rankings say Australia's still on top, but Australia are clearly NOT the best team in the world right now on form. England are.

If Australia aren't beaten easily by the World XI, I will want to know why, because on the form they displayed in England, they shouldn't even get close.

Have to agree with you Sportz. The World XI should be able to knock the snot out of our Aussie team at the moment. I think I need a bit of a break from racing today, and will watch the cricket instead. Here's the teams as of this morning:

Australia:
ADAM GILCHRIST
SIMON KATICH
RICKY PONTING
DAMIEN MARTYN
MICHAEL HUSSEY
MICHAEL CLARKE
SHANE WATSON
ANDREW SYMONDS
CAMERON WHITE
BRETT LEE
GLENN McGRATH
NATHAN BRACKEN
Sub: unnamed

World XI:
VIRENDER SEHWAG
KUMAR SANGAKKARA
RAHUL DRAVID
JACQUES KALLIS
BRIAN LARA
KEVIN PIETERSEN
ANDREW FLINTOFF
SHAUN POLLOCK
DANIEL VETTORI
MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN
SHOAIB AKHTAR
Sub: SHAHID AFRIDI

IASbet: Aussies 2.10 vs World 1.77
Centrebet: Aussies 2.10 vs World 1.72
STAB: Aussies 2.15 vs World 1.63

Should be interesting to see how the new 3rd umpire rule change will work out. The 3rd umpire can be called upon to review "everything," though they'll not have access to Hawk-eye. I'm a little curious if the field umpires will be honest with themselves enough to call for the 3rd umpire if they're unsure about an LBW decision. I'm looking forward to seeing how Symonds plays today given his NatWest man of the series performance a few months ago, and it will be interesting to see how Cameron White handles his first appearance in the Australian side. Like I said, I don't think the Aussies will win, but I'll be cheering them on nonetheless.

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

__________________
...time held me green and dying, though I sang in my chains like the sea. - Dylan Thomas

world 11 _$1.77
Should be illegal to be such a price
australia look like getting 245-250 RUNS
NOT ENOUGH BY A LONG WAY
CHEERS

I just love it when Brett Lee goes the tonk! Never underestimate the Aussies, I think they're still in with a good chance.

Well, I have to say that the more I looked at the teams chosen for today's game, the more I thought that Australia might actually have a chance. Didn't think it would go as it has though.

again the bookies have the last laugh
not at my expense though
Oh by the way did I tell you about my mate having $1000 on the grandfinal
total points over 42.5
he thought he was GONNNNNNNEEEEE then up comes todd peyton with the very late try to kick him home PHEWW
Cheers

1st match results:
AUS 8/255
WXI 162
Australia won by 93 runs, with 51 balls to spare. Man of Match: Shane Watson

I was a little surprised to hear Watson got the Man of the Match award instead of Vettori. Vettori was involved in 5 of Australia's 8 wickets (took 4-33 and then caught Martyn out), while Watson was responsible for 4 of World XI's 10 wickets (3-43 and then ran-out Pollock). Also Vettori scored 15 runs, while Watson got 8. Just doesn't add up that Watson won. Oh well.

2nd Match:
McGrath's out with tightness in his legs, and Stuart Clark comes in to replace him. Shahid Afridi is out for the World XI, and Chris Gayle replaces him.

Let's see how the World XI respond to losing the first match. You'd think they'll be able to score more runs now without having to worry about facing McGrath. Damien Martyn (0) and Michael Clarke (6) will be disappointed with their efforts in the first game, and will be looking to improve. Hope they don't slow the run rate down too much by trying to settle in though.

Centrebet: Australia 2.05 vs World XI 1.73
STAB: Australia 2.10 vs World XI 1.65
IASbet: Australia 2.15 vs World XI 1.75

C'mon Aussie!!!

__________________
...time held me green and dying, though I sang in my chains like the sea. - Dylan Thomas

All it takes is for a middle order World team to fire up the batting score and they should win it, McGrath is a big loss in the bowling as they just couldn't squeeze anything out of him.

Also if you get down to the tail and get out Brett Lee early on there goes another 20-30 runs from Australia, so it looks even juicer for Worlds.

__________________
GO VOUVRAY

hopes is opening today

2nd match results:
AUS 4/328
WXI 273
Australia won by 55 runs, with 27 balls to spare. Man of Match: Adam Gilchrist

3rd Match
McGrath comes back into the line-up. Both Katich (groin strain) and Pieterson (minor hamstring strain) are doubtful.

Centrebet: Australia 1.75 vs World XI 2.00
STAB: Australia 1.82 vs World XI 1.88
IASbet: Australia 1.85 vs World XI 2.00

C'mon Aussie, c'mon!

__________________
...time held me green and dying, though I sang in my chains like the sea. - Dylan Thomas