***Official Australia in India***

[social]

Nielsen defended Krejza's performance, saying: "I still believe it wasn't quite as bad as the figures showed.

"I thought he bowled with some nerves early on and copped a bit of grief with some big sixes and a couple of fours that put him under pressure right from the start.

"But by the end of the day he had worked out how to bowl to the left and right-hander and created a couple of chances."



No Tim, he bowled utter crap and was hammered accordingly

Unfortunately, getting the Oz selectors to change their minds is like turning the Queen Mary around

They decided the make up of the team in the WI and, chances are, Krezja will play no matter how he bowls for the remainder of this game

 

[social]

http://content-gulf.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/372149.html

Overseas spinners take few wickets at high cost in India, so why bother when ours is no good

 

[Polo23]

It's more the fact that we have dropped a proven test player, who had a great summer last season, and put in an injury prone, over-rated player who will pull a hamstring if he bowls a few overs. Plus, his form when he returned for the Bulls last season was terrible, he got around 3 ducks on the trot. I'm disappointed with the coach and selectors.

That's funny, because I see things completely the opposite.

I think playing Katich over Jaques means Australia recall a proven test player, and drop an unproven overrated player.

Katich for PM!

 

[NZTailender]

Katich for PM!

Awta, but only after he finishes as Australian test captain imo


Katich has managed to re-invent himself for the good of the Australian team, much like Justin Langer did in becoming an opener.
Hopefully now he can have a long run at the top of the order alongside Hayden, who seems likely to retire after the 09 Ashes (?) so Jaques should slide back in then.

 

[social]

Awta, but only after he finishes as Australian test captain imo


Katich has managed to re-invent himself for the good of the Australian team, much like Justin Langer did in becoming an opener.
Hopefully now he can have a long run at the top of the order alongside Hayden, who seems likely to retire after the 09 Ashes (?) so Jaques should slide back in then.

If Katich and Hayden fail in this match then the genius selectors can choose between suddenly out of form (Katich) and no match fitness (Hayden and Jaques) - that's the problem with choosing teams months in advance

 

[social]

Pathan may be 40 odd not out but his batting is terrible - backing away with back leg, no movement with front leg, and just hangs the bat out miles away from the body

He's inside edged at least 3 fours past the stumps, outside edged a few more and looks more like a no. 11 than a guy Greg Chappell tried to convert into a no. 3

 

[Mister Wright]

Would be pretty embarrassing if the Indian 2nd XI put on 500 here, against the Aussie test bowling line up +1.

 

[social]

Would be pretty embarrassing if the Indian 2nd XI put on 500 here, against the Aussie test bowling line up +1.

Not really

Wicket is dead as a dodo, there's been little or no movement, most of the runs have come off Krezja, there's been some really odd field placings (100 runs to third man alone) and the better bowlers havent had too much luck

However, it will be embarassing if we get rolled over for a low score under the same conditions

 

[howardj]

I can honestly say I can't see how we will win this series.

Provided our batting holds up, we may draw it however.

 

[Jakester1288]

Would be pretty embarrassing if the Indian 2nd XI put on 500 here, against the Aussie test bowling line up +1.

If Pathan stays in and gets some support, I wouldn't rule it out.

428/7.

 

[NZTailender]

If Katich and Hayden fail in this match then the genius selectors can choose between suddenly out of form (Katich) and no match fitness (Hayden and Jaques) - that's the problem with choosing teams months in advance

Huh? How would Katich suddenly be out of form? Being out of form is getting no runs over a period of time. Katich has been in great form. Failing in 1 match would be a blip, that anyone is capable of.

I mean, since being recalled, these are Katich's scores in warm ups, A games and tests (bolded):

96*, 37*, 12, 1, 113, 36, 157, 22, 56, 32, 73.

 

[Top_Cat]

Not really

Wicket is dead as a dodo, there's been little or no movement, most of the runs have come off Krezja, there's been some really odd field placings (100 runs to third man alone) and the better bowlers havent had too much luck

However, it will be embarassing if we get rolled over for a low score under the same conditions

Exactly. Let's not jump to conclusions until the Aussies get a bat.

 

[pasag]

I can honestly say I can't see how we will win this series.

Provided our batting holds up, we may draw it however.

Some positive though with Johnson and Siddle I guess.

 

[Polo23]

What has been freakishly obvious is the Aussie bowlers lack of penetration. I find it hard to believe Warne and McGrath would look so placid on this pitch.

I've been disappointed with Lee and Clark so far, they have both been woeful. If Lee wants to be seen as the best quick in the world he will have to perform in the test matches.

It will be very interesting to see how the Aussie batsmen go on this pitch. While it isn't offering any movement, it is very slow and hard to score on. The Australian batsmen will likely not be used to such a dead pitch. It is actually probably the perfect pitch for a warmup before the tests from Australia's point of view.

 

[Jakester1288]

FFS! I go outside to bring in the bins and Clark picks up 2 wickets in the over!

Pathan is still there, only 1 wicket in hand and 451 runs on the board.

EDIT: Johnson picks up Chawla, and his 4th for the match. Clark got 3 and Lee 1, Siddle bowled well for 2. Krejza didn't bowl a ball all day, and neither did Clarke. I think the selectors have advocated to us that they will go with 4 quicks at Krejza's expense.

 

[Top_Cat]

And that's it. Tipping Haydos for a big knock here.

 

[Mister Wright]

4 wickets for Johnon

Time to see how the batsmen will go.

 

[Polo23]

Pretty poor bowling performance by Australia all round. Clark and Lee were poor, Johnson bowled more accurately than I have seen, but still never looked overly threatening and Krejza was rubbish.

Long hill to climb for the Aussie batsmen...can Ponting finally make a run in India?

 

[howardj]

Man the tosses are going to be so crucial in this Series.

It's a tough ask putting the pads on:

(a) after a day and a half in the field, and

(b) knowing that you're 450 in deficit.

That's how we lost the Ashes in 2005.

 

[social]

Useful hit out for bowlers that will do them more good than harm - Krezja excepted