I would guess (that's what it is, of course) that he was just hoping to limit the damage until the end of the day. Higher percentage move than an attacking field.
If he is thinking that, haven't they pretty much gone ahead and proven him right?
Yes. Although I am not really satisfied with lbw calls. There were atleast 2 instances when plumb lbws even after referrals were turned down. But still Review system was a success, and should be given a run in test cricket.
They are a fantastic opening combination. The best thing is that they've known each other for so long as they've played all their cricket together at Delhi and are great friends off the field. After years and years of horrible makeshift opening partnerships, a Gambhir and Sehwag combination really is fantastic for India.
Just because they conceded 400+ total on an absolute belter on the first day? So he expects to write off his bowlers just on the basis of first innings?
Oh really and what is throwing in the towel.
Agreed as well. Prasad has been a terrific bowling coach for India. What amazes me as well is that he still looks as young and as physically fit as he did when he played for India. He still looks like he could bowl for India and bowl well.
Not written them off but certainly he'd suspect that there's a strong chance on a pitch which hasn't deteriorated much when the team is miles behind in the game that their performances wouldn't miraculously turn around. It's not admitting defeat, just being realistic.
Haha, yeah the pressure bit was really funny, if anybody was under pressure out there then that was Ponting and his team, tbf to him its all about slowing down at the pace which India scores their runs from here on, so that Australia has to bat out less time to save this test, Ponting is watching the game from close quarters and he is probably a better judge of how his bowlers are bowling and what they can do and what they can't, so come to think of it again i don't have that much problem with him being on the defensive right from the beginning in this innings, but if he employs boundary riders to the new ball or when the bowlers are bowling well in the upcoming games then i would have a problem with his tactics, today what he did in terms of his field settings was practical more than anything else, though his tactic didn't pay any rich dividends, but i can see what he was trying to do out there.
Disagree. If the captain doesnt trust his bowlers, then it's as much equivalent to have given up.
All too easy and obvious from the sidelines.
AWTA, easy for all of us to make these calls, but Ponting is the man in the in the hot-seat he needs to make his own decisions, sometimes they come off sometimes they don't.
Not really. It's pretty obvious that Australia's batting far outweighs it's bowling and as such it's definitely advantageous batting first. Look at Bangalore. I don't think we'd be winning here if we'd have won the toss, I think we'd have the same issues bowling India out, but I think we'd be in a much better position to draw the game then we are now.
Test cricket's just too easy. You've got it down pat.
