Wrap - Crickets Chirping

1. The efforts of Warner in the Adelaide Oval test were absolutely legendary. His ability to excel under pressure time and time again - with a fair bit of luck at times - is extraordinary. He can play a fast game, but when he is playing responsibly he is at his most lethal. He just needs to learn how to shut up and not get baited.

2. Steve Smith. I have been singing his praises for a long time and he is set to be a superstar. Calm, composed and enjoys a fight for supremacy. Absolute sheer talent.

3. Michael Clarke. Not surprising that he is talking retirement. We already foreshadowed that here some time back for ODI cricket. He needs to just play tests but he needs to work hard on his recuperation. I'd like to see a bit more strength work from him. Blokes have knee reconstructions and shoulder reconstructions in league and AFL. Surely he will be back - but just not in the reduced formats of the game. He has amazing mental strength and batted wonderfully well. He is a tough hombre. perhaps life with the wife is a better option. Kids must be on the way too.

4. How about Sean Abbott? 6 for 14 against QLD who are renown fighters. The QLD coach's (Stuart Law) career,  surely is on the skids as he simply cannot produce results. They were rolled for less than 100 - as was the useless South Australian team. However, Abbott has shown his ticker and remained quiet at every turn. Professional. Wait till we see him unleash his batting prowess. The boy can play, although T20 may not be his bag. A fantastic perfromance. He will have offers from everywhere now - IPL and County cricket.

5. To the dark side...Siddle you are gone. You have been mediocre but tough for a long time. You are the Kasper...the Allan Hurst...the Hilfy...2/ 85 with two lower order scalps helps no one. Buy the DVD's of the 2013 Ashes series and enjoy them. Chris Rodgers. He is due and needs a ton or he may be wondering how it feels to bat at the Junction Oval again. They may be more patient there however. Watson too needs runs. He is a 30's expert. An underperformer on a large scale. Always has been, but he has the gold pass...the bad news is that it's turning yellow.

6. 2UE Radio Cricket Coverage. A sensational line up with Mo, Chappelli, McGrath and a host of others. Even Embers gets a run! No Kerry on the ABC is hurting them. He must be on big coin at 2GB with no cricket to call. Doesn't sound like he is having a lot of fun though.

7. Kohli. I really like this bloke's attitude. He wants to win more than most and battles till the end. Tremendous.  He may be the Indian skipper sooner than he thought. Two tons in the test...amazing and could well have won the thing for them. A superb batsman.

8. No one would believe it if there was a suggestion that the Western Sydney v Mexico World Club Challenge game was rigged. Especially if you were a ref from an imporverished nation and worried that you might not make it home.