***Official*** India in England

[Speersy]

Well I like to have hope.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I think both teams seem to be happy with the draw, really. I mean obviously it would be nice if England had gone out for the morning session all guns blazing, but scoring 450-ish to win on a 5th day pitch (even one that's holding up as well as this one) is a massive (& obviously unprecedented) ask.

I think India set the tone by not enforcing the follow-on; if the series score was 0-0 I reckon Dravid would've been asking us to bat again with a lead of (IIRC) 319 in the bank. However, asking us to bat again was the only (realistic) way India could lose this test. We could've made 450-500 in 4 sessions & had a go at India in the final session, however an unlikely scenario that may've been. As it is the 180 India added to their lead lifted the chances of an England when from the improbable to the realms of the history-defying.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I'm kind of in the middle. 500 on the last day is a ridiculous ask. If the target had been 350, I would rather see them going for it. There is absolutely no point in chasing 500.

Although, I bet if it was Australia, they'd make an effort to go for it. But Australia is not your average team. For most of the teams, you have to do your best to save this match. It's one thing to chase an improbable target, another to chase a virtually impossible one.

It was only 440odd on the last day. There is every point in chasing it. There is absolutely no point not chasing it.

One thing is for sure, if you don't try and get it you'll never get it. England needed to take it session by session but it is by no means impossible.

 

[pasag]

Really poor end to a good series (unless India can make some solid breakthroughs here).

 

[pasag]

Batsman take the light, crowd boo.

Booo.

 

[BoyBrumby]

England take the light. Death throes of the game now.

 

[Speersy]

Are they just trying to improve thier averages now or something. Hit the ball, go for the win!

Or are they too scared of the english media.

 

[adharcric]

 

[andyc]

Dire.

In other news, I loled at this

"Tell Anil it was a flat track."
Ravi Shastri conveys Shane Warne's message to Anil Kumble during an interview, after the Indian legspinner outdid his Australian counterpart in scoring a Test hundred

 

[Turbinator]

Booooo at England!! Dire stuff from them. Bunch of cowards . I have to agree, I don't see how losing 1-0 is much better than losing 2-0, go for the win damnit.

 

[Speersy]

hmm, I thought (and hoped) England would not concede defeat this easily.
Its all about the fans, where the ones who go and watch them play.
Why would England want to play out a draw to lose the series. I would have much more respect and it would be much more entertaining if they went ftw.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Dire.

In other news, I loled at this

 

[pasag]

Finally.

 

[TheGreatAusie]

Vaughan Gone, caught behind by Dhoni from Sreesanth

 

[TheGreatAusie]

Sreesanth deserved that one, and I bet Vaughan regrets going off for bad light... looked like those loss-of-concentration shots

 

[Turbinator]

C'mon India that was a crucial wicket. You've got it.

One end has opened up with weaker batsmen. Please please please win this please.

 

[adharcric]

Sreesanth is back into it now. Great to see.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Vaughan has taken over from the Oval groundsman as the muppet of the month.

 

[silentstriker]

Can't see seven more wickets here.

It's a draw....

 

[silentstriker]

Tendulkar - useful little man. Seam up, leg break and a surprise off break that almost bowled KP.