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BOXING DAY\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Cricket Snicks<\/p>\n
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It was so cold at the \u2018G\u2019 this morning I thought I was at a football match.\u00a0 It was definitely under 10 when I arrived and tried to get in on my media pass.\u00a0 No such luck.\u00a0 Because I did not have a seat my pass was refused.<\/p>\n
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Only a minor incident for this old fart. Finally got inside and put on my jacket that I always take to the cricket. So many people wearing shorts.<\/p>\n
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Well so much for the \u2018bold\u2019 Australian selectors. Golden Boy retains his spot and they bring in two medium fast bowlers in Richardson and Neser. Just what does Beau Webster have to do to get a guernsey?<\/p>\n
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The Viking wins the toss and sends Australia in.\u00a0 It worked a treat with Josh Tongue producing his best ever figures of 5\/45. Glad I am not doing the daily report as I can not think of a suitable introduction.<\/p>\n
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Lunch breaks have been significant in this series. Khawaja and Carey had played comfortably before lunch to resurrect GB (Cameron Green) at last looked in an attacking mood. We all knew he had to do \u2018something\u2019 but ran himself out with a stop start to get to the bowlers end.<\/p>\n
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Nesser attacked the bowling but had no one in the bottom half to help him and he top scored with 35.<\/p>\n
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The highlight of the morning Jacob Bethell\u2019s jocks . Can\u2019t remember what they said but they got some applause.\u00a0 Are they plural?<\/p>\n
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For some reason they are using theEnglish method on TV with players names and I was delighted to see that Gus Atkinson parents must be in the print media as they have given him the initials\u00a0 AAP.<\/p>\n
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Not too many players, particularly from the \u2018old country\u2019 have three Christian names and only SPD Smith and Gus took the field today.<\/p>\n
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Ben The Viking must have been delighted when Australia were all out of 152 and was thinking at last we\u2019ve got em.<\/p>\n
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Oh no, good lord!\u00a0 Right from the start when Ben \u2018I confess\u2019 spooned the easiest catch this season\u00a0 from Starc to Nesser. Albion was in trouble. It was if to say\u00a0 anything Australia can do we can do worse.<\/p>\n
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And they did 1\/7 to 4\/16\u00a0 with the afformentioned Starc and Nesser grabbing two each.\u00a0 Once again it was up to Ben to hold the fort with Brook.<\/p>\n
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Don\u2019t know what to make of Brook. First ball he charged down the pitch and continued to do so through his innings of 41.\u00a0 He did mix it with some fine strokes. Amused that he had his long sleeved \u2018white\u2019 acrylic jumper pulled up to his elbows like his playing up country.<\/p>\n
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The moment all Melbourne had been waiting for Scott \u2018The King\u2019 at the bowling crease. Didn\u2019t let them down Brook, Smith and Jacks all fell to him and at one stage he had 3\/18 as the Poms were pummelled.<\/p>\n
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Despite some lusty hitting from AAP, the Albion finished 42 runs short. AAP 28. Nesser 4\/45, Boland 3\/30, Starc 2\/23 and GB 1\/0<\/p>\n
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Australia fronted a second time with Head and \u2018Mr Melbourne\u2019 Scott Boland. yes, BOLAND who even took strike. This was to be a royal moment as Boland survived a fiery over from AAP with a four to boot. He was given a rousing reception for every ball he played. Head joined in the fun and games when he allowed MR Melbourne King to lead him from the ground at the end of the oval after an eventful day at the office. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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Who says cricket is not fun?\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ESPN Cricinfo Scorecard<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au<\/a>\u00a0 home page click HERE<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Do you enjoy the Almanac concept? \u00a0<\/p>\n Become an Almanac (annual) member \u2013 CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
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