posted Dec 19, 2008

?

Why the rant?

This England side has pushed India more in Tests than Aus and to do it in India is a commanding performance

Spinners will have it tough as they are facing batsmen that play spin well

It took Zaheer nearly 5 years to perfect reverse swing in Indian conditions

It is too early to predict the Mohali result but it was quite possible if Eng win the toss they could be 172-1 too

Plus it appears the Ind-Eng contest is drawing more Test crowds - some due to solidarity after the horrors but mostly because the contests are damn good viewing. And Indian fans will always be grateful for the solidarity England players have shown, they have probably won more friends in India than all the previous tours put together!

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posted Dec 19, 2008

One of the big problems for England is not that they don't play so well, but they talk absolute tripe - how about Kevin Pietersen talking about the 'freaks' (his word) batting in the Indian team? Who does Pietersen think he is? Out for 4 and 1 against this team so far. Then we have Graeme Swann saying that the current Indian team 'isn't that good' 'they're not world-beaters' - and then he's hit around the pitch for an average of 7 an over.

I don't think England have played that badly - but they, and particularly their captain, shoot themselves in the foot talking utter drivel which the opposition then shows up for exactly what it is.... drivel. If they were a little more circumspect in what they said to the media, I'm sure that they wouldn't be held in such contempt. India is the best team in the world at present and on a roll........

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posted Dec 19, 2008

England certainly has won Indian fans heart but to be honest man, I myself as an Indian fan expected a lot more tough competition from England. I expected a close ODI series but it was no where near close.

All I have seen from England is we are improving after every defeat, Peterson has to learn to give his players a stick, thats what I think rather being grateful for some effort. Come on England is a top international team out of test playing nations, yes England is playing in India but that doesnt mean, batsmen/bolwers have excuse of not performing. like medium-pacer said, it took Zaheer to reverse-swing in 5 year but what about Ishant ? He is just a 19 year old kid. Indian bowling coach Venkatesh has down a lot of job and given the seamers a new weapon for dead pitches. England being a fast-pitches based country should have better pacemen, as we have good spinners.

Peterson is a great guy and honest, but the players are taking his honestly too much for granted and getting away with bad performances. Peterson should choose team whether young or inexperienced over non-performers. Ishant Sharma was straight away thrown in Australia against Aussie batsmen and he performed because despite being young he knew his captain had trust in him. Peterson should do the same. If you dont perform make room for young blood.

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posted Dec 19, 2008

Harrods - as a Scot I would be quietly confident of gubbing this england team esp. Monty's bowling is on a par with his fielding, when the pressure is on Jimmy & Harmy fold quicker than a bad poker hand. Colly & Bell score a hundred every 10 innings, Fred every 24. This is why we struggle to score runs..... A basic lack of batting ability. Yes colly can graft & fight but with only 5 batters you need everyone to be top quality and on form. Over the past 18 mths he has been missing on both fronts. Oh as 1 duck doesn't make a bad batsman, 1 score doesn't make a good one.

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posted Dec 19, 2008

India r on top again. England will loose. They have NO bowlers with any direction or pace.

However, the comment abt India being the best in the world? NO, I don't agree. Not until they beat Australia & S.Africa in their own backyard. The home home team is always expected to win due to wickets/pitches being laid for the advantage.

Look how Australia bounced back against New Zealand in the 1st test after being bowled out cheaply. NZ didn't even score 180 in either innings and lost the 2nd test by an innings.

England r so dis-organised. They have no real leader. KP is an OK captain and he will get better, but Moores, c'mon, bring in someone with quality and a winning history.

Unless England play Kenya/Zimbabwe, they r not gonna win any tests. As for the Ashes...can you really see any of these bowlers being picked, if YES, Australia will be laughing.

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posted Dec 19, 2008

Australia are the next best team in the world, next to India who can bat down to 9 and have some of the best bowlers in the world as well(though I have to give total credit to Mitchell Johnson who was awesome against the Saffers with 7 -42). England will not win the Ashes 2009 with set-up of captain, coach and selectors they have.

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posted Dec 20, 2008

Correction Mitchell Johnson had figures of 8-61 against the Saffers in the first inns

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posted Dec 20, 2008

Lots of negative comments from England fans. However, nothing to be ashamed about from this Indian fan's perspective. England will be fine during the Ashes. Mark my words. Cheers to all English fans & the England team for the class they showed in touring India with the spirit of the game in mind first and foremost.

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posted Dec 20, 2008

GirlfanLondon,
Maybe KP meant differently when he mentioned "freaks". He was referring to Sehwag and Tendulkar. I think by freaks he meant to convey they were exceptional. Tendulkar is exceptional in the sense he has been around long and has accumulated a pile of runs. Sehwag is exceptional in his manner of getting runs.

It is nice to see India being perceived as the best team now. But despite rooting for our team we wouldn't call it the best - not yet.

I think we will take a call after we beat South Africa in South Africa , Australia in Australia.

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posted Dec 20, 2008

I think that an unusual fuss is been made about the current English teams performance. well not to forget that they are playing in the Asian subcontinent and even a team like Australia had to take a beating from India. Hats off to this English team for displaying the courage to play in India after the terrorist attacks. They certainly have won my heart and as an Indian i give full support to them against the Aussie's in the forthcoming Ashes tournament. I'm sure Kevin's side will bounce back.

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