How good was this? Dunno if I agree with it being a authorised ODI but as far as seeing the like of Lara and Ponting batting together you couldn't ask for anything better ... and with over $14 million raised for Tsunami relief was a good night all round.

See the prices being paid for the signed shirts the players wore on ebay? ebay Australia $141,100.00 for Shane Warnes! Yowsers. Although considering he doesn't play ODI anymore it could be a good investment.

The match was spoilt a bit when Tendulkar was unable to play. He would have evened things up for the Asian team to a degree. However, with the likes of Lara, Ponting and Cairns keeping the Tsunami Appeal cash-registers ticking over at a frenetic pace, even Tendulkar would have been hard-pressed to be a match-winner.

Yes it was great. Certainly a once in a lifetime event. And it wasn't just the cricket. The sense of community and coming together to support this great cause was amazing. It really made me proud. It also compelled me to reach into my pocket and make a second donation to the tsunami appeal.

I was wondering in what other countries this match was shown. I don't think it would have been shown in America. Great if it had been though; lot's of potential for donations. Will America be holding a similar sporting event (maybe baseball or grid iron) to raise money for the appeal?

Yes a jolly good charity game - i watched some over here (UK) and it was apparently shown on DISH (?) in the states & canada.

Meanwhile here's a scenario to consider .....

Put yourself in this position ... it's England v Australia in the World Cup final.

You are Australian team captain and your team is bombing along with the score at 260 when your 4th wicket goes down with over 10 overs to go. Your choice of no.6 bat is:
a) A big hitting leftie with a Test average of 50+ and an ODI av of 40+ (SR 75+)
b) another leftie with a Test av of nearly 40 who regularly opens ODI's with av of 33 (SR 70)
c) an aging quick bowler with a test average of 7 an ODI average of 4 (SR 50)

you chose (c) ......

England go on to claw their way back into the match bowling Australia out for 310. England bat superbly well and eventually win.

Can you imagine what the Aussie press would make of that ? Taking foot from off oppositions throat?!?!

Now a charity match ... that'd be a different matter - they don't count for real now do they?

good to see a load of dollars raised though.

Lara and Ponting in a century stand.
Cairns going the slog and being able to cheer.
WArney showing he's still got it.
Great stuff wish i'd been there.

Quote:

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they don't count for real now do they?

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Well, it did - all the stats go on the official record so noone was going to chuck away wickets or what not. Shame really.