***Official*** India in Australia

[taitmachine]

Johnson is lucky those leg byes going for four never had a bit of bat on them or his figures would be even worse!

 

[adharcric]

Anyone doubting me now?

Doubting you about what? Australia were always in with a good chance but India are still favorites IMO.

 

[pasag]

Johnson and Tait doing their best to take off all the pressure Lee and Clark built up. Gap in class at this moment in time is very telling.

 

[Laurrz]

fraz gets 12 mins... ffs

 

[taitmachine]

Laxman is a key wicket now. He looks good today - if he gets set it could blow out quickly.

 

[Raghav]

The reality though, as Jono and others have pointed out, is that this actually IS a really good period for Indian cricket. And they are actually doing really well this tour - they arguably could well have won the last test if not for the umpiring, and even if they lose this one (against an amazing opponent - and they are still in a very good position) they have clearly demonstrated that they are the bona fide number two team and they can definitely mix it up with the Australians.

It's one thing to be pessimistic (or cautious, even), but why all the glee and the schadenfreude?

stop that ! No more IF's...

 

[Evermind]

The reality though, as Jono and others have pointed out, is that this actually IS a really good period for Indian cricket. And they are actually doing really well this tour - they arguably could well have won the last test if not for the umpiring, and even if they lose this one (against an amazing opponent - and they are still in a very good position) they have clearly demonstrated that they are the bona fide number two team and they can definitely mix it up with the Australians.

It's one thing to be pessimistic (or cautious, even), but why all the glee and the schadenfreude?

The glee is at the comical optimism of the fans, and how quick they are to condemn the naysayers. I find it strangely hilarious.

I agree that this is India's best period in cricket. They are taking definite baby steps, but they're improving nonetheless. However, to me doing well is winning - and that's that. If they win, they'll have done well. The way it stands is 2-0, and unless there's at least a 1 after that hyphen, it doesn't count for much I'm afraid.

 

[Evermind]

Johnson and Tait doing their best to take off all the pressure Lee and Clark built up. Gap in class at this moment in time is very telling.

Agreed. Lee and Clark are truly world class, and unfortunately ATM Tait's somewhat mediocre and Johnson just a little above that.

 

[Laurrz]

bloody hell Laxman flicks that off middle

30 run partnership atm

300 is safe zone for India IMO

 

[Slow Love™]

Johnson and Tait doing their best to take off all the pressure Lee and Clark built up. Gap in class at this moment in time is very telling.

Yeah, Ponting in a very inenvious position having to juggle his bowlers at the moment. Obviously fast wickets are needed, but every run hurts and he has a couple of guys really struggling just to control their line.

 

[Evermind]

stop that ! No more IF's...

Agreed! All those ifs and buts - they're all a part of Richard-world, not the real world.

 

[Raghav]

Yeah, Ponting in a very inenvious position having to juggle his bowlers at the moment. Obviously fast wickets are needed, but every run hurts and he has a couple of guys really struggling just to control their line.

Ricky will be happy if his team can restrict Indians' lead to 350..

 

[Evermind]

bloody hell Laxman flicks that off middle

30 run partnership atm

300 is safe zone for India IMO

300 run lead or 300 as the raw score? I'm almost tempted to think a 300 score, with a lead of 400+ might even be enough, but India need a lead of 450+ or 500 to realistically be confident of victory against this side. Looks pretty unlikely ATM.

 

[Top_Cat]

300 run lead or 300 as the raw score? I'm almost tempted to think a 300 score, with a lead of 400+ might even be enough, but India need a lead of 450+ or 500 to realistically be confident of victory against this side. Looks pretty unlikely ATM.

You serious? 500 would just put the Aussies completely out of the match. 400 should be well and truly enough considering how well the Indian bowlers are doing it right now.

 

[Slow Love™]

The glee is at the comical optimism of the fans, and how quick they are to condemn the naysayers. I find it strangely hilarious.

I agree that this is India's best period in cricket. They are taking definite baby steps, but they're improving nonetheless. However, to me doing well is winning - and that's that. If they win, they'll have done well. The way it stands is 2-0, and unless there's at least a 1 after that hyphen, it doesn't count for much I'm afraid.

I think some of the fans are just pissed off with being laughed at and ridiculed for daring to hope. It's too similar to JustTool's routine. But ultimately if you think the only way the Indians can be seen to have done well is by winning (against a team so dominant in world cricket AND on their own turf) I reckon you are being more unrealistic than they are.

 

[Johnners]

Pathan & Laxman did their best to edge the ball that over

 

[honestbharani]

Rauf doing Bucknor's job for Australia. This decision is right up there with Symonds and Dravids' from the last Test.

It was a bad decision, but no way is it as bad as that....


And Dravid himself got off earlier and I guess Sachin could have been given out off Symonds as well, so hardly "too much" injustice there...


Sydney was another story, of course...

 

[Evermind]

You serious? 500 would just put the Aussies completely out of the match. 400 should be well and truly enough considering how well the Indian bowlers are doing it right now.

Yes, if Indian bowlers can swing it and keep it consistent like in the first innings, 400+ would be enough. The question is, can they do that under pressure?

 

[Laurrz]

'll take 350 tbh
this pitch will talk less IMO on days 4 and 5...

i hope India lose 4/3 again.... that will help... they bat incredibly deep though... imagine if Pathan wasn't playing wow

the lead is creeping up though which is annoying....

Sarfraz bowled only 6 overs that session

 

[Mister Wright]

Tait: One Day specialist?