Have not read through all the previous comments since the match began yesterday, but will trawl through them later. But what a game, eh? Watched virtually the whole thing yesterday with a bunch of Indian lads and it was nail-biting stuff there, unremitting tension all through the game. Top game and a good end to the format and series.
Very well done, India. Great play from them when it mattered in two finals.
Well played Australia, but not good enough. Still, I think they will come back stronger from this, and I still dont believe the doom sayers about the so-called decline of Australia cricket. Nonsense, enough and more talented and keen players coming through the ranks in the State format, ready and waiting to forge their own lustrous careers in the paths of their forebears in the Australian colours.
A few closing comments:
Sachin. What a champion and what a batsman. He really stepped up when it really mattered. I think people often underestimate the steel in the man behind the quiet demeanour. He really wanted to score runs in the tests and for India to do well, and his determination showed in those two knocks in Perth and Adelaide. And here again, his determination to get runs at the top of the order really showed in both finals. He looked as focussed as I have ever seen him, and dare I say it, the comments from Hayden pre-finals only added to that and made him more keen to score runs and to win. (as he showed in the Sydney HB fiasco, he was not going to take a backward step to the Australians and was tired of copping it after so many visits down under)
Although I commiserate with the Australian team, I am glad that HB was the partnership breaker against Hayden and Symonds in both finals. I dont like HB, and he has copped a lot of flak this series (some deserved and some not) but he fed off it, seemed to get stronger, and got his own back when it mattered. It did me good to see him get the wickets of both the mindless cro-magnon cretins Hayden and Symonds.
Some very poor behaviour from the Indian crowd post match. Very poor indeed. As I commented to some of the Indians watching it with me, I could understand it, if not condone it, if they were Indian crowds in India, but Indians in Australia? Come on, have some class. Bracken was outstanding and Punter did not deserve a boo.
See ya Gilly. Great memories from the champion. Shame he could not fire a quick fire 50 in the finals (and Australia still lose) but that was not how it was meant to be. It was a shame at the end that the Australian crown had gone home, and there was no-one there to really cheer for him except for a warmly appreciative Indian crowd.
Its been a great summer of cricket. Loved it and enjoyed it.Looking forward to the return series later in the year.
Oh and one final word, some of the Indians (probably) indulging in jingo-istic chest thumping should recall that old adage, be gracious in defeat and humble in victory.
That's hilarious! I think Cricket would indeed be a better game if we allowed tackling.
