***Official Australia in India***

[four_or_six]

First of all Harbhajan and Kumble only take one wicket in the first innings, then Lee and Clark only manage the same. Interesting.

 

[Woodster]

As we move into day 5, still all three results possible, yet only two likely. How long Australia will bat for in the morning is an intersting one. They will no doubt be wary of the potential in this India line-up, and the fitness of Stuart Clark will also be a concern. Already a lead of 263 looks pretty daunting, but if Sehwag bats for a session all of a sudden a premature declaration becomes a major blunder. How much faith in this new attack does Ponting have ?

 

[SJS]

As we move into day 5, still all three results possible, yet only two likely. How long Australia will bat for in the morning is an intersting one. They will no doubt be wary of the potential in this India line-up, and the fitness of Stuart Clark will also be a concern. Already a lead of 263 looks pretty daunting, but if Sehwag bats for a session all of a sudden a premature declaration becomes a major blunder. How much faith in this new attack does Ponting have ?

There is no way India can win this match. Its for Australia's to win or back off from winning ! India can save this game only by a great batting effort or because Ponting didn't have the balls to try and win.

 

[Woodster]

There is no way India can win this match. Its for Australia's to win or back off from winning !

No I agree it is highly unprobable, yet not completely out of the question. Ponting may leave a target that may tempt them, but I do agree that already they more than likely have enough, but stranger things have happened.

 

[Woodster]

At times to force a win you have to risk losing a game. I think Ponting may err on the side of caution, but I do not expect him to bat for too long in the morning.

 

[SJS]

India have only once scored over 300 runs in the 4th innings to win a Test match. That was in that famous match in the West Indies 32 years ago when they scored 406 for 4.

The only other time they have scored 250 plus to win was in Sri Lanka in 2001 - 264 for 3 and in 1964 against Australia - 256 for 8.

I think Ponting has enough runs. If he bats another forty minutes and leaves them 300 he would have shut all doors on India but would have slightly reduced his own window of opportunity too. If Australia bat more than half an hour/forty minutes, it is stupid.

 

[Woodster]

Think there is a distinct likelihood he will bat on in the morning, but I expect only for around 20 minutes to half an hour.

I don't know if you think I am suggesting India have a good chance of still winning this Test, but I am not, far from it. Three results are still possible, but one of them is very very unlikely.

Will be interesting if India can survive, obviously in such situations, Dravid is key, but Sehwag can release some early pressure batting in his typically positive fashion. Australia are India will be aware the Aussies have no spinner of note that will make the most of the crumbling pitch, therefore they'll be heavily reliant upon any reverse swing they can find, and the indifferent bounce from Lee and Johnson mainly, if Clark's elbow continues to impede him.

 

[GIMH]

I say declare, Aus have three Tests to swing back the deficit if they wind up losing!

 

[Woodster]

Think declaring now would be too much of a gamble for Ponting. Not that batting on for half an hour will make a huge difference but it will, if they score at say 5 an over, add 30 runs giving a lead of just under 300 to make in around 80 overs. Think he'll have a 300 lead in his mind.

 

[Salamuddin]

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.

India have a long record of 4th innings collapses in recent times....Bangalore 2005, Karachi 2006, Mumbai 2006, Sydney 2008, Colombo 2008.

I have severe doubts on whether they can actually bat out time to save this match. I'd be very surprised if Tendulkar lasted very long - he usually goes missing when his team needs him.

 

[archie mac]

Just like in Sydney last contest, Ponting will back his boys to bowl India out in about 75 overs. Like the WI when they were on top, they give them nothing and take them nowhere

 

[tooextracool]

Have to say India's record in Bangalore is atrocious. They havent won a test there in 13 years, having lost 4 out of the last 6 tests at the venue, and arguably would have lost another had rain not interrupted play. Seems strange then that they continually play Australia at the venue.

 

[inbox24]

263 is absolutely nothing at the moment. Need to get total upping 350 but even then we're not completely safe as Sehwag can pull a hundred off like 80. I think to win this game the Indian middle order needs to take a few lessons from their tail. Play it like an ODI and go hell for leather because our bowling attack is likely to crumple and fold.

 

[silentstriker]

Just like in Sydney last contest, Ponting will back his boys to bowl India out in about 75 overs. Like the WI when they were on top, they give them nothing and take them nowhere

Yea, I agree. I think they'll give about 75 overs, and frankly Ponting has history behind him. SJS was talking about winning, but India don't have a very good record of batting out the last day either.

Have to say India's record in Bangalore is atrocious. They havent won a test there in 13 years, having lost 4 out of the last 6 tests at the venue, and arguably would have lost another had rain not interrupted play. Seems strange then that they continually play Australia at the venue.

The Bangalore pitch is probably the most unfriendly to the Indian style of play out of all the pitches in India. Yea, it does seem strange with regard to playing Australia.

 

[tooextracool]

I think its more than the pitch tbh. 2004 was a dustbowl and India still lost, although Australia were helped by batting first as they have been in this situation. Think the weather in Bangalore also favors visiting sides (lot less humidity), and the crowd is probably not as vociferous and supporting as some of the other places across in the country.

 

[howardj]

Anybody who thinks that, in the 1st Test of a four match series, that Ponting is going to make a sporting declaration or in any way leave the door even slightly ajar for India, is clearly living in la la land.

 

[Top_Cat]

This is cricket !!

Great game and no little credit for that goes to the less than perfect pitch.

We should welcome the prospect of our champion batsmen (irrespective of which country we are from) finding conditions difficult and extending their skill sets to their absolute limit to encounter them. This is what we should learn to enjoy. The struggle of champion cricketers and their valiant endeavours in that struggle. I find no pleasure in the slaughter of the lambs (read bowlers) in conditions where any Tom Dick and Yuvi can turn into the 'butcher on the rampage".

This.

Anybody who thinks that, in the 1st Test of a four match series, that Ponting is going to make a sporting declaration or in any way leave the door even slightly ajar for India, is clearly living in la la land.

This too. Strongly.

 

[ret]

As we know how the game advances highly depends upon when Australia declare

If Australia bats for an hour tomm, then it leaves Ind with 5 hrs of batting .... which means Australia have to pick up 2 wkts every hour to force a win .... taking 2 wkts every hour could be difficult if couple of Indian batsmen get stuck in

And if Australia wins then India would probably have been bowled out for around 200 or less, so 263 is probably enough unless one of the Indian batsmen plays an inning of his life [which is probable too ]

B'lore is probably the venue where Australia has a good chance of winning a test on this tour. At other venues, Australia may not get the leverage it gets at B'lore .... A team winning this series will probably have to win 2 tests out of four. If this test is drawn then it will be difficult for Australia to win 2 tests at the other venues so a lots is at stake for Australia ..... it will be interesting to see how Australia go about their declaration

 

[aussie]

Makes sense, gets carted against India, breaks down and quits the game, one FC match later and you want him back into the Test side above a proven performer like Bollinger? Grrr.

If he is used the right way i.e in short sharp burst with the old ball especially i see no reason why Tait even though he has just returned wouldn't be a very uncomfortable bowler for India to face.

With no Warne to call on to give the bowling attack that extra variety, Tait 150 kmph yorrkers is just perfect. When Harbhajan & Khan were batting having, if he was there couldn't see them doing that.

 

[ret]

Anybody who thinks that, in the 1st Test of a four match series, that Ponting is going to make a sporting declaration or in any way leave the door even slightly ajar for India, is clearly living in la la land.

thats interesting .... we will have to see if in trying to shut the door for India at B'lore, if Ponting is shutting doors on Australia's chance of probably winning one test in India

the other venues may not be that suitable to the Australians and Ind may pick up 2 tests out of the next 3!!!