***Official*** India in Australia

[silentstriker]

Possibly but opening the batting with Pathan? It reminds me very much of what the Indian team did years ago when they opened with Manoj Prabhakar. He essentially held up and end and this puts pressure on the guys at the other end to score. Defensive move for mine.

But Pathan really can't and won't hold up an end, so its actually pretty aggressive. Obviously, they want him to stick around but he won't block over after over. He has opened before anyway.

 

[silentstriker]

And yes, I agree it might be burdensome, but going in with more bowlers and an aggressive lower order batsman is certainly not defensive in any way.

 

[silentstriker]

Four first ball! Like I said - he isn't there to block

 

[The Sean]

How far in are these ropes on the straight boundaries? Absolute joke IMO.

 

[taitmachine]

Not dropping Clarke today?

IMO there will be at least 1 total of 500.

Well I did say his second innings at Perth was defining and if he failed he should be looking behind for the axe. However he batted well, yet still a little miffed at the manner of his dismissal - really would have like to see him grind out a ton even if he was batting with the tail.

 

[taitmachine]

Four first ball! Like I said - he isn't there to block

Yes it hurts the original character of this great ground.

edit: oops was meant for The Seans post sorry

 

[Laurrz]

very inconsistent bowling by Midge

 

[taitmachine]

I am still puzzled as to why they persist in opening with Johnson.

 

[Burgey]

Johnson bowls his one for the spell in the right spot, and away goes Pathan.
Clark for the new ball, imo.

 

[Top_Cat]

I am still puzzled as to why they persist in opening with Johnson.

I think you just found out why.

So does this further the perception that Johnson preys on tail-order wickets or does it strengthen his case that he takes top-order wickets? I'm confused.

 

[andyc]

I'm assuming Pathan will be opening the bowling for India as well as the batting. When was the last time someone did that in a test match?

 

[Burgey]

SS &/ or Richard might be able to answer that - I don't know.

 

[taitmachine]

I think you just found out why.

So does this further the perception that Johnson preys on tail-order wickets or does it strengthen his case that he takes top-order wickets? I'm confused.

Was waiting for that

Still think Clark would be the more reliable option. Although perhaps the theory is Johnson will swing the new ball.

 

[Top_Cat]

Was waiting for that

Still think Clark would be the more reliable option. Although perhaps the theory is Johnson will swing the new ball.

For the record, I agree with you. Your best two bowlers should share the new cherry and surely Clark is one of those.

 

[taitmachine]

I'm assuming Pathan will be opening the bowling for India as well as the batting. When was the last time someone did that in a test match?

Cricinfo is saying "Hinds" - I can only guess this was Wavell Hinds.

 

[taitmachine]

Cricinfo is saying "Hinds" - I can only guess this was Wavell Hinds.

They are also saying Pathan & Jayasuria have also done it but only in one innings not the match. Hinds did both innings.

 

[taitmachine]

For the record, I agree with you. Your best two bowlers should share the new cherry and surely Clark is one of those.

Looks like Ponting has been reading cricket web Top Cat - Clark on Johnson off after a wicket last over.

 

[Captain Cricket]

Stuart Clark hitting a good length to Sehwag atm, trapping him on the crease.

 

[taitmachine]

Stuart Clark hitting a good length to Sehwag atm, trapping him on the crease.

Seriously good start from Clark

 

[Top_Cat]

Stuart Clark hitting a good length to Sehwag atm, trapping him on the crease.

Exactly why he should have taken the new ball.