posted Oct 14, 2008

Lets summarise

Pitch – all knew it was going to wear off day by day. So no one should complain..
Aus – could not get enough lead in the first inning.Punter didn’t have enough confidence in his bowlers. Otherwise he would have declared on 4th day half an hour before stumps. Aus second inning was uncharacteristically slow…Hope for next test – Hydos and Clarky still to fire…..
Ind – Good promising pace bowling attack. Indian bowlers were match to Aus attack. Captain not on field didn’t bother them (Dhoni is almost ready). Tail enders didn’t stand to their reputation by throwing their wickets. Old brigade wanted to prove point and this test did help them to do so though partially, still they need to carry on…

PS: I really hate to comment on post match and pre match talks of captains and players, they don’t mean anything. What matters is what they did while on field….

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posted Oct 14, 2008

Ponting is a sore loser, and also a hippo-crit !!
wait until Aus are in the same position on day five and see them crawl to a draw !

Love it that India are the team that always end up halting the Aussie winning streaks...GREAT !!

BTW.. Ed Moses was NOT an Olympic swimmer

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posted Oct 14, 2008

Lets hope if the tables are turned and Aussies have to reach a high score in a day they will go out and try to smash it, chances are they would do exactly the same as India!

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posted Oct 14, 2008

Kumble's bowling has gone down and is not up to test standard. He should stand down on his own rather than the selectors showing him the door.His performance in the Srilankan tour was also not up to the mark. Indian selectors should take some urgent steps to rectify the situation.

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posted Oct 14, 2008

I just want to say that andysw12, you are very foolish. India protested a series of unjust umpiring, that was clearly favoring Australia...if the same happens to Australia, by all means they should protest. Of course this won't happen to them, because reverse racism never takes place. Also, Zaheer was simply stating that India played well and that the would go into the next test, with Australia on the back-foot because they had to change their game-plan. Also, India has some of the most fair cricketers that all play in the spirit of the game, and don't go around calling players from the opposition, 'little weeds'. India had the right to blast the Australian, especially Hayden, when we were in India and Australia is in so such position right now!

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posted Oct 14, 2008

All the talk of stepping down is needless. Who in their right frame of mind in Indian cricket would step down voluntarily? And miss out on all the lucrative sponsorships and match fees. It doesn't work that way in India. Either the selectors force them out, or are given one last series to wrap up and hang their boots (like in Ganguly's case).

Further, all this retirement talk is only fueled by the media. They are always looking for some scoop or the other, or to whine and complain and fill air time in India. It has no merit. Media is India is so totally like the media in England. Always dreaming that their team is the best, haven't had any success in ages (at least India won the T20), talking up successes like the next best thing since sliced bread, and whining complaining and dissing when things do not go their way (which is quite a lot of times). Indian media reporting on cricket is equivalent to British media reporting on soccer, or on Andy Murray/Tim Henman.

Coming back the players themselves, they should know when to walk off. There is always enough talent to fill their places. India has a strong pipeline for both batsmen and bowlers. They will have time adapting, but they will learn their trade.

Honestly, it is a little painful to watch Dravid, Tendulkar or Ganguly bat. The only guy who still retains his flair is Laxman.

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posted Oct 14, 2008

India battle for a draw, don't roll over and play dead and don't go mad and blow the first game of the series in an unlikely run chase. Good thinking by India. Ponting then tries the typical Australian tactic of wind up, playground stuff from Ponting. A shame for a great cricketer. If the shoe had been on the other foot Ponting would have been full of praise for the guts and determination shown by the Australians a side that never gives in.

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posted Oct 14, 2008

India approach frustrates Ponting, wat rubbish?

If Aus was the only team pushing for a win, then why is that their scoring rate in first and second innnings is less than compared to India's.

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posted Oct 15, 2008

Here's a better indication of the form of the Fab Four....

http://www.icc-cricketrankings.com/

Sehwag is ranked at 11, and Laxman at 14. But below them come Dravid (18), Tendulkar (24), and Ganguly (25).

Compare that with Australia's batting:

1) Hussey
4) Ponting
9) Hayden
15) Clarke

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posted Oct 16, 2008

If hanging is the only answer then the selectors should be bold and take the chance. India are at home and shouldn't be struggling against Australia. India will do well if they can build up scores from top down. It's unfair if the lower order have to do three jobs well to keep India in matches. Fancy stuff should be eradicated for stoic performances.

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