Rickster59

Now thats the perfect answer JohnUK......love it!!!

Feb 23 to March 23....

Make no mistake LDK.....the Bali bombings in known Aussie niteclubs (Sari Club) were aimed at killing as many Aussies as possible...... No other reason.

I have to agree with comments re; Bali I was in Bali for the first time in October 2010. I took my kids there. It was ok...but I am not a surfer....even though I tried...lol....and I didn't like it in comparison to Thailand or even the Philippines. The traffic is horrendous! There is p4p.....but on a very small scale compared to anywhere in Thailand....or the Philippines. I couldn't relax on the beach....'massage'....'tattoos'....'manicure'...and more.....every 20 seconds. I even tried to pretend I was asleep.....and they tapped me on the feet!!! In the end they chased me off the beach and back to my Hotel pool The place is full of Aussie tourists......and when I asked them if they had been to bali before....most said they had been coming every year....for years. I always made a point of asking them if they had ever been to Thailand.....and 80% said no!!! I won't be going back to Bali anytime soon. You can't beat Pattaya.....the bars....the bands....the gorgeous ladies....the Thai food....the cheap accomodation.....the baht bus service.....its just perfect as far as I can see. But Iam no 'Paul Hogan'....if the rest of Australia wants to go to Bali......so be it Its our secret!

This has nothing to do with cricket Rob....but enjoy it while it lasts....lol

A 'sheep shagger' having a go at an Aussie......how unique!....lol Seriously though Gimmble....I understand what you are saying....but Americans have many other p4p options available to them much closer to home. Costa Rica....Dominican Republic...Medellin and Cali in Colombia and there are many other places I am sure. So I feel a greater percentage of Americans would be using these venues due to convenience. We are a hell of a lot closer....and I feel our numbers are disappointing....when compared with Britts and the Americans.

Wow....I really enjoyed that Barrief....thanks, much appreciated! I was there that night and it was awesome. One of the best things about Pattaya (IMHO) is the choice of 'live bands' that are available at no cost. Here is Australia....you would be paying money to see bands that are no better than Rhythm Tracks...and quite often not as good. While all the girls are lovely....my main interest in FLB is to see and listen to Rhythm Tracks.....and have a few dances. Its such a shame I end up so pissed! Thanks again Barrief.....an excellent job!

Looking at the results so far in MM's recent poll 'Where do you come from'....I am amazed that there are not more Australians in Pattaya.....or Thailand in general. The main reason for me saying this is because we are closer to Thailand than Britain or America....yet Brits and Americans dominate Pattaya in terms of numbers. It is only a 9 hour flight from Brisbane to Bangkok.......I am unsure of the exact time it takes for Americans and Brits.....but I am fairly sure it is a longer journey? I realise the poll is only a small reflection of the overall numbers......but Americans and Brits have double the numbers compared to Aussies. Why do you think this is the case....or do you disagree with the poll results being an accurate overall picture? Cheers.

OMG!.....Australia have managed to win a T - 20 match against the English Tourists. Wow....that is nearly as important as winning the toss in a Test Match.....lol

An awesome Ashes victory by England. Before the start of the Series.....I had a feeling England were going to be very hard to beat. But I still felt that the local conditions and support would make it hard for them. I also believed for Australia to win, Ponting had to score heavily.....or he would be rubbished and there would be calls for him to be sacked as Captain. Australia were in a commanding position to win the first Test....but England dug deep like never before...and showed great character and composure to draw that match.....I felt if we had won that first Test it may have been different. But England were magnificent....and they never looked back. The facts are that England were too good in all aspects of the game.....they batted with more patience and composure...they bowled very well...the back up bowlers were exceptional....and their fielding was outstanding....the best Pommie fielding side I have ever witnessed. England had the one blemish in Perth...and they learnt from that loss and it made them even better and more determined. Every batsman except Collingwood scored centuries.....with 'keeper Prior joining the run feast today in great style and gusto. I doubt the English selectors will be sacking Collingwood....he is a great fieldsman and more than a handy bowler.....and it is only a matter of time before he gets back into the groove with the bat. English selectors are wise and patient....lol Captain Anderw Strauss was outstanding....and I wont ever forget his batting onslaught in Sydney...he took it away from the Australians. He stood up and gave it to our bowlers against the new ball. Outstanding and inspirational. What a great leader and Captain he is! England selectors would not have surprised anyone if they didn't select Cook and Bell...given their ordinary performances in the past against Australia. But they stuck with them....they had gained a lot of experience now...and were ready to produce and prove their point. They did it with style and grace.......and rewarded the English selectors faith in them. I hope our selectors will learn from that. Congratulations to the English team, selectors, the Barmy Army....and every long suffering English supporter. Your team has delivered an historic Ashes victory in Australia. Amen.

Michael Clarke has been a very high profile sports star from day 1. He was often in the headlines for things other than cricket. He former girlfriend.....model Lara Bingle didn't help his cause. But Clarke seemed to thrive on the constant publicity.....such as buying her a huge ring....buying her a sports car etc. When it all went pear shaped....he didn't want to speak to the media. I think he may have learned from this. He is even unpopular in his own State. Critics highlight the fact that he scores his runs when they are not needed......when Australia is already on top. When we are in a crisis situation....he has failed on most occasions. His friendship with Ricky Ponting helped him to the Vice-Captaincy.....ahead of more senior players. While the players won't criticize him publicly....I feel there is some resentment from a couple of senior players. Andy Symonds had a huge falling out with him....and the usually mild mannered Simon Katich had him by the throat in an incident in the sheds after a game. IMHO Haddin, Katich and Hussey are more deserved of the Vice Captaincy....they have far more experience, and have great tactical skills that we will never see. But this is all only my opinion. Others may disagree.

Nothing wrong with the decision to bat first. I liked it. But sadly...we just wern't up to it. I guess the selectors had no choice other than to apoint Clarke as Captain.....but he is struggling with his batting at the moment. He is (very) lucky to be in the team. Chris Tremlett (hope I spelt it right this time!!) was the pick of the bowlers for mine....very unlucky not to have more wickets. He is going to be a great fast bowler....destined for greatness. I must also admit that Swann is also a class act. He is very patient....and very shrewd. Not a bad debut by the young Aussie bat......while he is no Ponting.... he looks a class batsman with a great attitude. Looks like its up to Hussey and Haddin (again) to get us a respectable total. Very disappointing day for Australia. The day belonged to England. But there is a long way to go in this Test. Even though we have lost the chance to get the Ashes back.....I still have enormous interest in this match....and feel it has been a great series. Looking forward to day 2!

I agree.....fries are no good for you anyway....less fries more steak and salad = more beers!...lol

Wow....that was a fair hiding. The Perth Test was so long ago now.....lol.....and how did we win that one? Congratulations to the England team......a great performance here on our soil. I know Trott was 'Man of the Match'....but how good is Tremlin....he is only going to get better and I am prepared to say he will be England's spearhead srike bowler in the years to come. He has the perfect build and action for a fast bowler......he is awesome! As for the Aussies......where to now? I firmly believe that that is the best team we have at the moment. People calling for wholesale changes ....and sacking Ponting obviously know very little about the domestic Shield Competition. There is no youngsters really performing consistantly that could do a better job imho. We must stick with what we have.....they have performed in the past.....but are just not consistant enough. Ponting is the best Captain we have. He is finding it hard to bat at the moment with all the knives in his back. We are so used to winning.......we quickly call for changes and calls to sack the Captain.....especially the media. We must accept that we are going through a re-building phase....and that we will lose a few Tests along the way. It is just history repeating itself if you care to look. I think we should stick with basically the same team.....and get behind Ponting and show him some support. His record and stats are exceptional......I am appalled at the way he is being treated. It is very un-Australian.

Hi Soi 6 I'm just a Cricket tragic...lol. You are not wrong about Brad Hodge....great batsman.....the same can be said of Jamie Siddons and Darren Lehmann.....although at least Lehmann got to finally play some Test cricket in the twilight of his career. Selections always have been....and always will be politically motivated. What do you think about James Hopes from Queensland?......he has played well for us in the one dayers......I thought he should have been given a shot at Test cricket by now.

Hi Cluster That was not my quote you posted. But you do make an excellent choice in Katich as a Captain. Years ago he was touted as a future Australian Captain when he was playing for NSW as a youngster. The problem is his age. Same goes for Hussey and Haddin. All of these players would make fine Captains....but they would not be long term propositions....only like an interim Captain. Funnily enough....I never wanted Ponting as Captain in the first place....I though Adam Gilchrist was a born leader....I'm still scratching my head as to why he wasn't made Captain.....but thats the way it goes. I am sure he would still be playing had he been made Captain. I don't think anything good would be achieved if we went this way and sacked Ponting. I feel its best to stick with him and look ahead to the future. I honestly don't think Michael Clark is the man....at the moment he is lucky to keep his place in the team. Ponting is the best man for the job right now. I think the next Captain with be Steve Smith....or someone who is not even in the Test team at the moment. Sadly....up and comers like Fergusen, Voges, Jacques and Khawaja are not scoring runs in Shield cricket at the moment. We don't appear to have many yougsters consistantly producing runs.....so lets just give Hughes and Smith a good crack at cementing their Test futures....I am sure they will come good and show their class. Looking forward to seeing how Hughes and Smith bat at the MCG. The game is shaping up as a classic Test match.....I can't wait!

I only wish I was there to enjoy a beer with you Funky! But it will be all over when I get there in March.

It was all over very quickly today. So we go to the MCG with the series tied at 1-1.........the Aussies have momentum and confidence now. No need for any changes to this side. Bring on the 4th Test in Melbourne!!!!

The Poms are on here giving it to us because they were winning this series 1-0 and looking good. They are sick of being beaten badly by us for the past 20 years.....so who can blame them for venting there frustration here. It wouldn't matter who the Captain was. Perhaps you know a Cartain that the Poms would like? Then they will stop 'giving it to us'!!!!!!!!!

Captain next week? Shane Warne (wouldn't have lost the first series Ponting did.) or Brad Hodge.... Seriously, I don't want Ponting replaced all of a sudden because of this series, he should not have been made Captain in the first place, he was never a good Captain for Tasmania before he was made Captain of Australia. Ponting has been one of the greatest batsman we have been lucky to have play for our country, but he is not a Captains arse hole. Please don't defend him as a Captain, two loses in England is unforgiving. The first loss in England was nothing short of embarrasing for him the way he captained. Ponting has had very good sides under him, but every single one of those people that report or comment on the game for a living will happily tell you his tactics leave a lot to be desired. Going by his interview on the Warnie show the other night he has grand plans to still captain the Australian side to England in 2013, God help us. As for our next Captain? I hope they try someone young and stick with them for a while, if they turn out to be no good then try someone else. I think Watson will make a good Captain as long as his actions from yesterday are never repeated. I pray they don't make that soft mummys boy Clarke Captain. Not getting ahead of myself, the test is ours, the betting agencies will give you great odds if you want to back England or a draw.

As you are well aware....both Warnie and Hodges are retired. I don't know what Hodges is doing.....but you only have to check out the front page of the newspaper each day to see what Warnie is up to.....lol. But if you feel Ponting should not have been made Captain for this Ashes Series.....then put forward your Captain.

You continue to criticise Ponting and the selectors. Ponting is not a robot. He can't pull us out of the shit all the time....as he has in the past. Yes he is arrogant.....sure he hates losing....the same can be said of all our successful Captains. Maybe you liked Kim Hughes?........Ponting is mentally tough.....respected by the players and the best & most qualified man for the job. Like the Selectors.....I am sticking by him. So I am very interested to know who your Captain and Team is for the next Test in Melbourne.

The series ain't square yet......still a lot of cricket to be played! Lets not get ahead of ourselves here.

WOW!.......Another great day for Australia. Surely we can't lose this Test Match from here? This Ashes Series is a great contest......we are not lying down......where are you English guys now? I like the look of the young fellow......Steve Smith. He will be the next Aussie Captain IMHO. But in the meantime....Ricky Ponting is THE man. C'mon Aussie C'mon!......1-1 before the end of day 4 please!!

Great recovery for the Australians!!! Great bowling effort after a scratchy start. But onece again Hughes, Ponting and Clark go quickly....and its left to Hussey, Watson and Haddin to make some decent runs. But it was the Aussies day today. Great to see Johnson get back to form and take some big wickets. Hey Funky.....while I agree this England team has bowled, batted and fielded well......I am still undecided on how to rate them. I dont know if they are so good.....or our team is just so bad. I will wait untill the end of the series to make judgement....but they sure have taken some great catches.....and that hasn't happened in the past. In contrast....the Aussies are dropping plenty....can't buy a run out....and that is unusual for our side. This series may well be decided on the result in this Test at the WACA. If the Aussies can win it.......it will be a huge confidence booster going into the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.