en-point loss in four matches.The g | Forum

David Warner has defended his use of thick, lightweight bats, and said he believed flat pitches were a more significant factor in any perceived imbalance between bat and ball in Test cricket. Blaise Matuidi Jersey .Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting recently argued for greater regulation of bat depth and weight - at present only a bats length and width are restricted - in the long form, a call that found support from fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. Ponting will be at the MCCs World Cricket Committee meeting at Lords next week, and he said bat size would be part of the discussion.The Gray Nicolls Kaboom bats used by Warner are notable for the extreme thickness of their edges, but they are made of a lightweight wood that makes them deceptively easy to wield. Warner said there were downsides to using such bats, including the greater likelihood of being caught off a leading edge, and he said the state of pitches had a greater say in determining scores.If we look around the country, I think the wickets are pretty much dictating, Warner told reporters in Sydney on Friday. A lot of batsmen are scoring a lot of runs, there have been a lot of runs scored in the last 12 to 18 months; you cant specifically come out and say it is the big bats, because everyone around the country and around the world is scoring a lot of runs. In my mind it is a credit to the bat maker.Ponting argued that restrictions to bat size should only occur in the longer form of the game and thick, lightweight bats should be allowed to remain in one-day and Twenty20 cricket. In those shorter forms, he said, spectators expected to see plenty of boundaries and entertaining batting, but in Test cricket it was more important to ensure the balance between bat and ball was as fair as possible.If people think that it is becoming an unfair advantage they will speak their opinions, but we are getting bigger and stronger and are capable of using bats that are a bit heavy, Warner said. In Test matches I use a smaller bat unless we are playing in the subcontinent, where I use a heavier bat. My bigger bats might be a lot larger than other players bats, but it is still the same cleft of wood.Australia coach Darren Lehmann said the size of bats were just about right, but also expressed safety concerns for bowlers at nets.Where they [the size of bats] are at now, is about right, maybe a little bit less, Lehmann said. They will certainly make it stock standard for everyone. The edges are too big on some of the bats.I see health and safety as a big issue, especially more so in the nets. To be fair, bowlers and net bowlers in the nets are a real worry for us. The way they hit them now, they are stronger athletes - they hit them harder, there is no doubt about that. It [injuries] are going to happen somewhere, hopefully it doesnt, but you have just got to be mindful of all that. Paul Pogba France Jersey . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Mamadou Sakho Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). http://www.nationalfrancesoccer.com/zinedine-zidane-france-jersey/ . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. The hard work has only just begun for Canberra, who find themselves inside the NRLs top four deep into the season for the first time in more than a decade.The Raiders overtook Canterbury on the premiership ladder with a 26-22 golden point win over the Warriors on Saturday.They had held a comfortable 22-4 lead with 10 minutes to go, but let in three late tries to set up a grandstand finish in front of 9,741 fans at GIO Stadium.Skipper Jarrod Croker scored the match-winning try in extra time - his third of the game - to seal a fourth consecutive win.While unhappy with the final quarter, coach Ricky Stuart was pleased to walk away with the victory.Its nice to get two points and be able to learn off some areas of the game that will be very easily fixed, he said.Not since 2003 have the Green Machine been placed so high so late in the season, with six games remaining.Stuart said a lot of hard work and planning had gone into getting them into this position but stressed the importance of keeping a lid on expectations.We dont need to look at the table until round 26, he said.Theres no more excitement in there about us being where we are on the table than where we were two or three weeks ago. Thhe only excitement Ive got is I think the teams improving. Anthony Martial France Jersey. Were not going to let the hype grow bigger because this competition is so tight and competitive.For the Warriors, the defeat keeps them just outside the top eight.Veteran Manu Vatuvei juggled and dived his way to career try No.150 for the Kiwis first points, with Thomas Leuluais second half double and David Fusituas effort with 70 seconds on the clock getting them back into the contest.Issac Lukes sideline conversion levelled the scores at 22-22 to send them into extra time.It was their third golden-point loss in four matches.The good thing about us at the moment is were fighting hard, coach Andrew McFadden said.I thought we played pretty average today for the most of it, but we just strung a really good patch of footy together right at the end which gave us a chance.It is a harsh lesson to learn but thats where we are as a group at the moment.The Raiders play South Sydney on Sunday week at ANZ Stadium, while the Warriors - who lost Vatuvei to an a knee injury - host Penrith on Saturday. 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