***Official Australia in India***

[Burgey]

I can remember BJ going on a rant about how he couldn't for the life of him figure out why Tait was left at home. Seems like a good bloke but is a bit clueless isn't he?

Yeah, the fact Tait hasn't played a game after coming back from having something of a break down apparently doesn't come into BJ's thinking.

 

[duffer]

Was watching yesterday when Brendan was on with Sunny

The latter was talking absolute garbage and it was all "yes sir, nor sir"

Grow a backbone and pull him up when he's talking rubbish ffs

He knows what side his bread is buttered tbf.

 

[social]

P.S: How ****ty has Lee been on this tour so far, has not looked threatening at all.

Has bowled absolute rubbish most of the time

 

[social]

He knows what side his bread is buttered tbf.

That's exactly how it came across

 

[silentstriker]

Any total is gettable on this pitch, so India's job is to balance time. Ideally, they should declare around tea and have them chase 450-500. Any sort of failure to bat until then will be very dangerous.

 

[Johnners]

Johnson to get Sehwag in the next 10 minutes imo.

EDIT: For those in the know, how much would the split webbing be affecting Lee? Surely can't help.

 

[mikeW]

Top theory isn't it.

"Well, one of our two best bowlers is out. The next bloke in line has been on two A tours in the past 12 months to the sub continent, taken wickets at will here and the other bloke has only played one game here at FC level". "Yeah, but the front runner doesn't bowl with the same arm as the bloke who's injured". "You're right. We won't pick him".

This test proves the long-held theory that no Australian team with two or more Victorians in it can be expected to perform well away from the MCG.

**** post imo, who the **** cares what state players are from? Siddle is an obvious talent and was just about our best in the 1st dig. Why are you **** canning him when he did bettter than the rest? Bollinger will get hid chance sooner or later anyway imo.

 

[G.I.Joe]

And here are Gavaskar and Border on the tv telling us how Australia have to stay aggressive. Two of the most conservative captains in cricket history. AB only ever declared at customs.

Hey, its their trophy. They can damn well tell the two teams to play in miniskirts if they want to.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Aren't you getting bored with being the only person to bring that up any more?

I'm in good company.

Mike Selvey in The Guardian:

Further tales abound, though, most recently involving the Australian super-quick Brett Lee, who is developing what is known as "history". The Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was on the receiving end of something "accidental", an unfortunate coincidence as earlier Lee had received something similar from Razzaq. Then there was another which all but decapitated the New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum. Plenty of umbrage was taken but no action.

Selvey again:

unless he is attempting a complicated slower ball, an international bowler does not accidentally miss his length by a matter of 25 yards or more.

 

[Johnners]

Better than Johnson even? ITSTL. Nice sense of humour btw.

Sounds the Australian tactic atm is "bowl at middle and leg, might strangle 10 of 'em down leg side by the time they've racked up another 400"

 

[weldone]

I would never write that Aussie batting line-up off mind you.

But I will. Especially on the 4th and 5th day pitch, they can't even make 300 against Mishra and Harbhajan; and add to that Ishant and reverse-swingging Zaheer...Forget a WR chase...None except Hussey show that grit required in the big 4th innings chases atm...The others are not good for anything more than the odd 50-70, which isn't going to win them the match...

 

[social]

Sounds the Australian tactic atm is "bowl at middle and leg, might strangle 10 of 'em down leg side by the time they've racked up another 400"

They are really bowling rubbish - absolutely no consistency in line or length

 

[Burgey]

**** post imo, who the **** cares what state players are from? Siddle is an obvious talent and was just about our best in the 1st dig. Why are you **** canning him when he did bettter than the rest? Bollinger will get hid chance sooner or later anyway imo.

Well Mikey me boy, apologies if you couldn't work out the last para in my post was in jest.

I don't give a **** where Siddle's from but to seriously suggest he ought to have been in front of Bollinger before this test is riotous. FWIW if he's gonna play I'd like him to take 10 per test, but that doesn't mean he should have been there in the 1st place.

 

[duffer]

Surprising stuff here. Never thought I'd see an Aussie test side who looked like they didn't want to be there. Definitely expected the Watson-Lee partnership to lift them somewhat.

 

[weldone]

Any total is gettable on this pitch, so India's job is to balance time. Ideally, they should declare around tea and have them chase 450-500. Any sort of failure to bat until then will be very dangerous.

NOTHING will be dangerous from here on...Even a lead of 350 would do with 100% confidence (and there's more chance than not that a lead of even 300 will win India the match) as long as the 4 bowlers are fit...

 

[silentstriker]

They know they can't win by restricting, why are the Aussies not more aggressive?

 

[weldone]

Hey, its their trophy. They can damn well tell the two teams to play in miniskirts if they want to.

 

[pasag]

Horrible bowling.

 

[Matt79]

lol at SS's habitual pessimism when watching India do well.

Ponting must be thanking his stars he's got Siddle in the team to at least provide a modicum of control over the scoring. Midge going for plenty...

Though in all honesty, its not a great sign when your left-field selection debutant is proving to be the most steady and reliable of your bowlers...

 

[Craig]

Give Watto a bowl.