posted Jul 28, 2007

I must say this day stands out for sub continent tourists

The Sri Lanka turn arround last year and Jayawardene leading from the front and the bowling of Malinga and Murali was good enough to take them to 1-1

Now with what I feel is a better if in-experienced attack, England bowlers asked a lot of questions and on another day it may have gone their way, but it did not and that is a fact, just like Vaughn could not bowl out India 9 down with 8 overs of spin after it got darker than what they went off today. It happens.

This is what makes cricket so great to watch or heart breaking depending on which side you are rooting for

I just hope India gets 150 ahead so there is a contest

I do believe India has it in them to make it upto 500 and England Bowlers have it in them to restrict India to below 350

Tommorrow will tell and I am looking forward to a tight hard fought day

If at the end of day 3 India gets to a very strong position, then this turn-arround would match the Sri Lankan revival.

This is all good for cricket and does not take away from a talented England unit

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posted Jul 28, 2007

Thats a very fair and evenly balanced analysis medium-pacer. Anything could happen tomorow and thats what makes this exciting. Restricting Tendulkar will be key. I'm not convinced by claims that India bat that far down the order. If a couple of wickets go down quickly tomorow I think they will be seriously wobbling.

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posted Jul 28, 2007

bijusportsfan, you are missing the point. the conditions have been much different in this test on both days. At lords', they never really changed from one day to the next. Just be honest and admit india have been lucky. Live up to your name 'sportsfan'.

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posted Jul 28, 2007

India hold the upper hand no doubt about that. I thought Kartik and Jaffer played really well, not being too extravagent and batting sensibly. I thought Kartik was a bit lucky not to be out lbw to Monty but these things happen, decisions go against you sometimes. Tremlett bowled well, as did Monty. I agreed with Nasser Hussain as well, Vaughan should have bowled, or Pietersen, just to mix it up a bit.

One final thing, well done to Tendulkar. This man is a genius and deserves everything he gets. 11,000 Test runs is superb.

Sachin- the Little Master

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posted Jul 28, 2007

It depends on one session Danjafari, and thanks for your comments on my post

If England bowlers gain purchase with the new ball and lets face it, they must feel the pendulum of luck should be heading their way, then losing Laxman Dhoni in quick succession and India ending up with around 100 lead is a possibility. But that is why this day 2, was so crucial, as India would still be ahead on Day 3 with that scenario.

If as I expect (as an India supporter after a cautious hour or so, see the new ball off etc and then start tucking in, with Sachin going into feast mode, then Laxman, Dhoni will be plenty of spare gas in the tank!

Both scenarios are possible


as well as a stuttering dull third option of graft and losing wickets every 20 overs or so, that approach hopefully is a relic of the sixties and will not happen. I mean stats are wonderful, but not that good, to ruin a great game of Cricket

If Sachin or any other batter plays for stats I will be very cross, India rarely gets an good advantage like this to win an away game, if any batter is playing against that goal... run him out!

A quote from Mark Twain:

"There are lies"

"And then there are damn Lies"

"And then there are statistics"

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posted Jul 28, 2007

sensible,
It depends how you are looking at the "conditions". It was much bright and sunny on the first day of Lords compared to the rest of the test. My main point is, at the end of the day a team is only as good as it performs. England layed very well n the first day of Lordes test and all credit to them. Indians were like headless chickens in the first innings (Combined with goob english bowling). But Indians played much better in the second innings and if not for KP's brilliant knock, it would have been more even. So conditions are not important if somebody doesnt take advantage of it. Even today, the ball swung and seamed. Tremlett got disconcerting bounce. Both Anderson and Sidebottom got appreciable movement but somehow Indians played better than what they did in the first test. If they batted as poorly as they did in the first innings at Lords they would have been allout by now. So ta the end of the day, the team that better applies and aremore determined do well.
Now, the new ball is due for tomorrow morning. The ball will swing and seam. I dont think India can add more than 100 runs to their current total (or even less). Tendulkar may add another 10 or 20 runs and ganuly and laxman another 20 each and thsts about it. Who know's, England might get all the luck they didnt have today.

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posted Jul 28, 2007

Well said again MP. It would be really sad to see a tame draw born of excessive conservatism from either side in this game. Sure, India slightly have the upper hand at the moment, but the game is still there for the taking for either side.

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posted Jul 28, 2007

"Sure, India slightly have the upper hand at the moment, "

Nice to chat with an optimist Danjafari!

Cheers , tommorrow then

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posted Jul 28, 2007

It certainly is frustrating being an England fan. We will probably be made to rue not winning at Lords. The third time the weather has restricted us in the last couple of years with only needing 1 wicket to win (Sri Lanka at Lords and Australia at OT). Its really Indias game to throw away now. Yes they were lucky with day suiting bowling and day being much better to bat but thats life. Hopefully the new ball will swing well and we'll get them out with the possibility of saving the match, dare I say win it? (Or hopefully the weather will aid us for once). Im still expecting India to win though. Which would have surprised me before the game.

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posted Jul 29, 2007

I am not going to repeat what everybody else is saying: weather, luck, etc.

England will score under 100 runs in their second inning because they will be very tired due to lack of sleep:
1. Bowlers did not sleep thinking how they will get rid of Tendulkar, Laxman, and Dhoni.
2. Batsmen did not have enough sleep thinking how the hell on earth any one can face Kumble on this worn out soft pitch.

Collingwood had enough sleep because he have nothing to do with bowling or batting!

As far as result is concerned, all three scenarios are possible:
1. India will win
2. India will win big.
3. India will win by even by an inning.

I would politely suggest England fans to whine as much as they can. After all it is their right.

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