***Official Australia in India***

[pasag]

When Katich got out, they were 99/3 after 44.3 overs and a grand run rate of 2.22. You have got 8 batsmen at your disposal and a lead of 70 and you are a bowler short. Surely they should have shown more urgency to get the runs to get maximum overs to bowl India out. I don't mind some one playing a sheet anchor role like Katich in this instance but the over all innings run rate should have been near 3 from the beginning to take it to a run rate of near 3.5 with an attack in the end. The 3 wickets falling quickly can mean a team goes on the go defensive but that approach was not needed before. The defensive approach cost Australia in that they could have had a better chance of winning with a more positive approach.

I thought mostly the same, but Watto said after in an interview that the pitch was so tricky at the end of day four that they were really just trying to survive out there and couldn't think much about being too aggressive at that stage, because it just wasn't possible.

 

[pasag]

Was just updating the RSS for the CW front page, some interesting articles:

Lee returns Zaheer's fire
Ponting defends Katich's approach
Wicket affected by monsoon

From the last one:

Heavy monsoon rains that lasted until a fortnight ago have affected the surface curator Daljit Singh has been able to work with, meaning his pitch is likely to have the usual lateral movement for seam bowlers but not as much bounce.

"We got heavy rains this time. In fact, rains came down heavy as recent as October 4 and nearly two-and-a-half feet (76cm) deep water got collected on the surface which initially affected our ground preparations," Daljit Singh told PTI.

"The wicket still has some moisture and we are hoping to have good sun shine over the next week.

"As usual, the fast bowlers should expect assistance from the track in the morning session.

"I would say if bowlers stick to a good line and length, they can force the edges."

 

[Jnr.]

This is what Ian Chappell said at the end of day 4: "Australia are now leading by just over 260 and it will be interesting to see what Ponting does with his declaration. I suspect the name Virender Sehwag will feature very heavily in the equation - the danger that he might play a blinder - and what will also feature in the equation is the fact that he doesn't have a frontline spinner. That will have an effect on when he decides to declare. Since he is relying so heavily on his fast bowlers, I think Ponting would like to leave enough overs so that he at least has a couple with the second new ball. So perhaps look for him to give India about 84 overs to bat but that is only if Sehwag's name doesn't feature too heavily in the equation."

Ponting left 83 overs, which is pretty much spot on. No complaints about the declaration from me - in fact, I was pleasantly surprised by it.

 

[Top_Cat]

Was just updating the RSS for the CW front page, some interesting articles:

Lee returns Zaheer's fire
Ponting defends Katich's approach
Wicket affected by monsoon

From the last one:

Goodness me, it seems I was right about the weather impacting on pitch preparation. Wow, genius call that.

 

[Johnners]

Would have said pure arse myself

 

[social]

This is what Ian Chappell said at the end of day 4: "Australia are now leading by just over 260 and it will be interesting to see what Ponting does with his declaration. I suspect the name Virender Sehwag will feature very heavily in the equation - the danger that he might play a blinder - and what will also feature in the equation is the fact that he doesn't have a frontline spinner. That will have an effect on when he decides to declare. Since he is relying so heavily on his fast bowlers, I think Ponting would like to leave enough overs so that he at least has a couple with the second new ball. So perhaps look for him to give India about 84 overs to bat but that is only if Sehwag's name doesn't feature too heavily in the equation."

Ponting left 83 overs, which is pretty much spot on. No complaints about the declaration from me - in fact, I was pleasantly surprised by it.

The fact that Chappell then came out following the match and criticised the declaration for being too conservative is a bit hypocritical

 

[Woodster]

Think the outcome of Stuart Clark's net session tomorrow is going to have a big impact at Mohali. It seems as though the pitch will offer a bit of nip, and Clark is the man the Aussies must hope makes the starting XI. Personally think he could have a big say in the second Test should he be passed fit.

 

[pup11]

When Katich got out, they were 99/3 after 44.3 overs and a grand run rate of 2.22. You have got 8 batsmen at your disposal and a lead of 70 and you are a bowler short. Surely they should have shown more urgency to get the runs to get maximum overs to bowl India out. I don't mind some one playing a sheet anchor role like Katich in this instance but the over all innings run rate should have been near 3 from the beginning to take it to a run rate of near 3.5 with an attack in the end. The 3 wickets falling quickly can mean a team goes on the go defensive but that approach was not needed before. The defensive approach cost Australia in that they could have had a better chance of winning with a more positive approach.

I think its a huge problem with Katich and i am not just saying this on the basis of his knock in the 2nd innings, he has made his way back into the team on sheer weight of runs and he deserves his chance, but this is one area of Katich's game he needs fix before he could think about cementing his place.

Katich has always had this grit about him that no matter what i am not going to lose my wicket, but a lot of times he just gets bogged down and when that happens he starts blocking good balls, bad balls his whole effort just seems to be defense and in a way he puts pressure on his batting partners at the other end too.

I think nobody wants Katich to slog or anything, but atleast he should try to rotate the strike a lot more and be busy while he is out there, and if he does that then there won't nothing to complain about him.

 

[Top_Cat]

Would have said pure arse myself

Haha, nah I'm being sarcastic. It was pretty obvious that the late monsoon would do exactly this. Why? It's what the bloody groundsmen have been saying all along!

 

[Precambrian]

Good display of cricket by both sides, though Australia imho failed to press on the advantage of having batted first and then failed to bowl India out on a final day.

Ponting's century was classic, though I would like to see him performing in the second innings as well, as the wicket was very much batting friendly on the first day. For this reason alone, I'd rate Hussey's innings as the superior one, despite the fact that he was dropped by Dhoni.

One thing to be aggreived from Australian p.o.v was the piss poor over rate. Understandable though as they relied more on pace esp in the first innings, and Clarke was primarily used to pep up the over rate than as a wicket taking option.

Overall, Australia would be reasonably happy for having dealt with the spin duo effectively, but they need to also think about the fact that they surrendered 9 first innings to the pacers at less than 20 a piece, and also in the second innings.

 

[ret]

Kumble slams media sensationalism

the man has done it all - demolished opposition, bowled with a broken jaw when India needed him, been probably the best bowler to represent India in a long long time .... but sadly all good things come to an end, and Kumble has to realize that

the man deserves all the awards, accolades, money .... a place in the side? I m not sure if he is one of the top two spinners in the country atm

 

[ret]

Kumble will bounce back: Kirsten

he has the support of the coach .... let's hope that he lives up to the coach's expectations and helps India to a win

the pitch at Mohali would be seamer friendly going by reports so if he is the lone specialist spinner in the squad and that will be a test .... hope he comes out with flying colors

 

[Precambrian]

The only thing that worries me is the weather there. If I am not wrong, the average temperature is around the 20s, which means that the chance of wickets cracking up during the course of the test match is minimal. It could well end up like a English pitch, aiding swing as well as bit of turn on the last few days.

Expect Lee to be among the wickets, possibly a fifer. Expect Sehwag to be a failure, so too Hayden. I forecast a low scoring match, which would make it Australia the favorites, unless Ponting sticks to his stupid "defensive" placement.

 

[ret]

The only thing that worries me is the weather there. If I am not wrong, the average temperature is around the 20s, which means that the chance of wickets cracking up during the course of the test match is minimal. It could well end up like a English pitch, aiding swing as well as bit of turn on the last few days.

Expect Lee to be among the wickets, possibly a fifer. Expect Sehwag to be a failure, so too Hayden. I forecast a low scoring match, which would make it Australia the favorites, unless Ponting sticks to his stupid "defensive" placement.

i agree that if the pitch is what it is said then the OZ will start with an edge and they can even play 4 quicks, which is their strength

on the other hand, games played in Oct-Nov have usually been draws .... I m hoping for a good show by India after their dismal perfo at B'lore

Mohali test matches

and unlike what you suggest, Sehwag averages 85 there with 2 100s!!!

 

[Precambrian]

Yep, but the test matches Sehwag played in were played during summer. And against teams which had pace artillery much inferior to that of Australia. If we win toss and bat first, expect Lee to cram up a few outswingers, and a "c Hayden b Lee" would materialise sooner than later.

It's realtively lucky ground for India as we haven't lost there for quite a while. And Kumble has been successful there too esp the recent one we won against England was due to Kumble's efforts. He neither is the same bowler he was, nor Australia terrible players of spin (unlike England).

 

[ret]

Yep, but the test matches Sehwag played in were played during summer. And against teams which had pace artillery much inferior to that of Australia. If we win toss and bat first, expect Lee to cram up a few outswingers, and a "c Hayden b Lee" would materialise sooner than later.

It's realtively lucky ground for India as we haven't lost there for quite a while. And Kumble has been successful there too esp the recent one we won against England was due to Kumble's efforts. He neither is the same bowler he was, nor Australia terrible players of spin (unlike England).

Oct16-20, 2003

 

[archie mac]

The fact that Chappell then came out following the match and criticised the declaration for being too conservative is a bit hypocritical

Tbf Chappelli always suggests they declare giving the other team a chance to win, so they attack the bowling

 

[Precambrian]

Tbf Chappelli always suggests they declare giving the other team a chance to win, so they attack the bowling

In this case a target of 298 in 83 overs was certainly gettable provided Sehwag got going. So Ponting surely opted for Safe than sorry approach. Though I think they could've declared overnight itself leaving India to get 260odd in 90 overs, and gain the advantage of utilising the damp first hour.

 

[howardj]

The weather is set fair.

 

[Top_Cat]

One thing to be aggreived from Australian p.o.v was the piss poor over rate. Understandable though as they relied more on pace esp in the first innings, and Clarke was primarily used to pep up the over rate than as a wicket taking option.

Yep, over-rate has been rubbish by the Aussies for a while. Wouldn't blame the bowlers, though; Ponting seems apt to making mico-changes after every ball.

Overall, Australia would be reasonably happy for having dealt with the spin duo effectively, but they need to also think about the fact that they surrendered 9 first innings to the pacers at less than 20 a piece, and also in the second innings.

Fully expect that to change on a less two-paced pitch.