***Official Australia in India***

[archie mac]

Ganguly looked outside on HE, but it said he was inside the line.

You have confused me!! But it is 22.30 here

 

[social]

Both the Indian seamers have been very good whilst the spinners have both been pretty ordinary

 

[archie mac]

Both the Indian seamers have been very good whilst the spinners have both been pretty ordinary

I thought Harbhajan looked OK today

 

[pup11]

Australia might have lost 3 wickets in this session, but from a batting perspective that was the best session Australia have had in this game, the partnership between Haddin and Watson was crucial and really helped Australia to build some momentum.

 

[Arjun]

The Indian fielding has been well below ordinary. You can't win Test matches with fielding like this. They've been inaccurate, off-target and slow, and it's time the coach, physio, fitness trainer and the selection committee make note of this. A little bit here and there is no problem, but when it begins to cost a team matches, it should be thought about.

 

[Arjun]

India's only hope is a draw now.

Unless, of course, the Fab Four play to their potential and billing, and bat sensibly. They need to see off Lee and Johnson, and then consolidate against the rest of the bowlers.

Kumble's captaincy, though, has been dreadful. He's just not trying to get wickets!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Nice partnership.

Should bat 10 overs or so tomorrow and extend the lead a bit more, past 300 hopefully, and then declare and go for the win.

 

[Burgey]

Sometimes you get to see moments where you can look back on a bloke's career and say "that was when he clicked into a decent player". Can't help but think Watson and Haddin's may have been right then.

At 5-128 things were getting decidely dodge-wa. To those blokes' credit they backed their own games and have put on a really valuable partnership. They rode their luck, but things like that can make it feel like you belong.

That sort of stuff puts you in good stead as a player. Good on 'em.

Well bowled to all the Indian bowlers - not much luck there, though HBS a little too straight at the end there for my liking.

 

[Top_Cat]

India are out of the, even if Aus declared, I'd back them to defend 263. Basically depends on time now and how long the Aussies reckon they'll need to bowl them out. That both Haddin and Watto (who batted really well today although, even when set, looks like he's batting on a hot tin roof!) are still at the crease with a hitter to come is great signs for Aus because they'd only need to maintain a reasonable rate for a few overs.

Advantage Australia in terms of runs, just have my doubts about whether they can bowl India out in time. I'm sure Lee would be looking bowl with a bit more penetration than in the first dig.

 

[Uppercut]

Unless, of course, the Fab Four play to their potential and billing, and bat sensibly. They need to see off Lee and Johnson, and then consolidate against the rest of the bowlers.

Kumble's captaincy, though, has been dreadful. He's just not trying to get wickets!

Kumble in general is a very poor captain IMO. I have a feeling he'll be dropped for the next game and the official line will be that it's an injury.

 

[pup11]

India are out of the, even if Aus declared, I'd back them to defend 263. Basically depends on time now and how long the Aussies reckon they'll need to bowl them out. That both Haddin and Watto (who batted really well today although, even when set, looks like he's batting on a hot tin roof!) are still at the crease with a hitter to come is great signs for Aus because they'd only need to maintain a reasonable rate for a few overs.

Advantage Australia in terms of runs, just have my doubts about whether they can bowl India out in time. I'm sure Lee would be looking bowl with a bit more penetration than in the first dig.

I think Sehwag is the danger man from an Aussie POV, if Aussies can get him early that would really put the famed Indian middle-order under severe pressure, all the Aussie bowlers should just attack the stumps and hope the pitch would play a few tricks, then they might be in with a decent shout to win this game.

 

[pasag]

Seemed like there was an incredible lift in team spirit when Kumble was off the field and Dhoni took over. Just a buzz that sort of went away when Kumble came back on. Could be coincidence though.

 

[adharcric]

Seemed like there was an incredible lift in team spirit when Kumble was off the field and Dhoni took over. Just a buzz that sort of went away when Kumble came back on. Could be coincidence though.

Quite confident it wasn't a coincidence. It also helped that Badrinath was his replacement in the field.

 

[Manee]

Seemed like there was an incredible lift in team spirit when Kumble was off the field and Dhoni took over. Just a buzz that sort of went away when Kumble came back on. Could be coincidence though.

I definately saw that too. Having an old captain is breeding an aged attitude and it is not the way forward. Dhoni as Test captain is truly rhe way forward. I wouldn't mind one iota if it got to the point where he bats eight because he is a gun wicketkeeper and captain.

 

[Raghav]

For all his haters, Dhoni's keeping has been excellent this match. Compare his work and Haddin's in that last innings.

Probably put the mockers on him big time now.

Yes. I accept Dhoni's keeping is good on comparison with Haddin. But I feel Dhoni have lot more experience keeping on Indian pitches. I reckon he better can judge the bounce and pace of the pitch than Haddin.

 

[Raghav]

Yeah, give us Katich and you can have Redmond and Cumming for free!

add Mark Richardson's commentary to that free list

 

[Manee]

Yes. I accept Dhoni's keeping is good on comparison with Haddin. But I feel Dhoni have lot more experience keeping on Indian pitches. I reckon he better can judge the bounce and pace of the pitch than Haddin.

Even so, sometimes it is pure ability to dive and take a ball on the bounce rather than fumble or miss it.

 

[ret]

Day 4

This is no doubt Zak's test: 5 wkts and top score in the first inning .... absolutely phenomenal performance!!! .... Ishant has been gun too, so far it's these two who have been taking on the Australians so its more like Zak and Ishant vs Australia

Australia 193/5, which is 263 with the lead .... it will be interesting to see what they do from now on, i.e. declare and put India first thing in the morning and thus take a shot at picking up the danger-man Sehwag or pile some more runs and thus give less time to India to bat and thus more opportunity to draw the game

If Australia declare and put India in straight way tomorrow and if Sehwag fires then it will be an interesting game, esp if the tail can fight it out and handle the last day's pressure well .... come on, India

 

[Top_Cat]

Seemed like there was an incredible lift in team spirit when Kumble was off the field and Dhoni took over. Just a buzz that sort of went away when Kumble came back on. Could be coincidence though.

Sounds like when Steve Waugh left the pitch and Shane Warne took over a few years ago.

Still, whilst obviously important, the players can't just blame the captain if things go wrong. They have to take responsibility. The performance of the Indian middle-order in the first dig was pretty average.

 

[pup11]

Dhoni's keeping has been excellent this match. Compare his work and Haddin's in that last innings.

I think Haddin has been pretty good with gloves for a guy who is keeping in such conditions for the first time, his keeping has been as good as Dhoni's, its just that he has more byes to his name because the Aussie quicks have been a bit wayward now and again, otherwise the kind of footwork and agility Haddin has shown behind the sticks has been excellent.