***Official Australia in India***

[Precambrian]

He complained mainly about the facilities, which is different.

He also described the pitch as a shocker.

 

[Precambrian]

Sunny is seriously one of the biggest idiots going around. I've long sinced stopped listening to him.

Though I agree with your point, objectively speaking he's got a case there. Esp with the poor over rates, although Zaheer definetely deserved what he got, I always believe "send-offs" to batsmen post their dismissal is cowardly. You got to do the job with the ball, not the mouth, and esp not when the batsman cannot reply in kind.

 

[SJS]

Sunny is seriously one of the biggest idiots going around. I've long sinced stopped listening to him.

Agree in toto.

 

[ret]

Ideally, I would like to play the same line up that played at Mohali as guys like Sehwag can bowl well on a turning pitch too. Only change, i would probably consider is Badri in for Dravid / Laxman .... I would not want to drop Delhi boy, Mishra. looking back at the last test, all the Delhi boys in the 11 did well, i.e. Sehwag, Gambhir, Ishant and Mishra, and they would be looking to make an impression on their home ground

As discussed, with Kumble likely to come in it creates selection complications. As far as I m concerned, for India it's more a case of trying to figure out which two of Dravid, Laxman and Kumble would be more useful .... But as we know abt India, Mishra could well be sitting out

 

[Prince EWS]

Sunny is seriously one of the biggest idiots going around. I've long since stopped listening to him.

I actually think he's pretty knowledgable; he just likes to stir up crap. Making good, objective points in his commentary and his statements seems secondary to him; he'd rather say something to get a reaction. If he actually attempted to be an objective, insightful commentator, I think he'd achieve it.

Indian commentary's answer to sideshowtim, pretty much.

 

[Prince EWS]

wouldn't you need an extra bat more than the 3rd spinner on a turner?

Yeah I agree. If the pitch is going to turn square and you have Harbhajan and either Mishra or Kumble in your team, it's not going to be a draw. You may lose, but it shouldn't be a draw unless it rains. Picking five bowlers in such a situation with Dhoni and Harbhajan suffering from serious nosebleeds would be suicidal.

 

[silentstriker]

Yeah I agree. If the pitch is going to turn square and you have Harbhajan and either Mishra or Kumble in your team, it's not going to be a draw. You may lose, but it shouldn't be a draw unless it rains. Picking five bowlers in such a situation with Dhoni and Harbhajan suffering from serious nosebleeds would be suicidal.

Not to mention Sehwag and Tendulkar who can send down a few turning deliveries. So we actually have four spinners who could pitch in. We don't need a fifth, way overkill.

 

[G.I.Joe]

Michael Clarke must be rubbing his hands in glee.

 

[silentstriker]

Michael Clarke must be rubbing his hands in glee.

Haha yea.

 

[Woodster]

With regards the Shaun Marsh selection, the Aussie selectors must have wanted an opener as back-up, otherwise surely that place would have gone to either Hodge or Hussey. If Hayden gets injured, they probably would not fancy Hussey(M) and Katich at the top, Hussey is so crucial in the middle order would be crazy to change him around. With options in the middle order, ie drop Katich down to wherever necessary, they probably are an opener short. Probably came down to Marsh or Rogers, and Marsh must have the edge on Rogers at the minute, rightly or wrongly.

 

[manali]

Aus will lose at Delhi

 

[Anil]

I actually think he's pretty knowledgable; he just likes to stir up crap. Making good, objective points in his commentary and his statements seems secondary to him; he'd rather say something to get a reaction. If he actually attempted to be an objective, insightful commentator, I think he'd achieve it.

Indian commentary's answer to sideshowtim, pretty much.

yeah i agree, he is immensely knowledgable about the game and clearly is not an idiot, just seems to enjoy making provocative comments, some on the mark, others seriously over-the-top...got a feeling it's his attempt at staying in some sort of limelight...

 

[Burgey]

Aus will lose at Delhi

Someone call Rupert and have him hold the front page please.

 

[howardj]

Again this morning the papers are ablaze with India's reverse swinging genius, and Michael Clarke seemingly in awe. For mine, this aspect has been incredibly overstated. I can't remember too many reverse swing victims this series, certainly nothing like in 2005 versus England. The Australian top order would be better off concentrating on the basics and waiting for the bad ball, rather than trying to write their failures off this series to some dark and mysterious art.

 

[howardj]

With regards the Shaun Marsh selection, the Aussie selectors must have wanted an opener as back-up, otherwise surely that place would have gone to either Hodge or Hussey. If Hayden gets injured, they probably would not fancy Hussey(M) and Katich at the top, Hussey is so crucial in the middle order would be crazy to change him around. With options in the middle order, ie drop Katich down to wherever necessary, they probably are an opener short. Probably came down to Marsh or Rogers, and Marsh must have the edge on Rogers at the minute, rightly or wrongly.

I think Marsh's selection is more a case of the selectors knowing that the reserve batsman is not going to get a game, and therefore they can send someone over just for the experience of being around the senior squad. Otherwise it would have been Hodge or Hussey.

 

[Burgey]

good news about the pitch as India needs to close the series at Delhi but from a cricketing perspective, it would be sad to see lame horses like Kumble pick up some wkts because of the pitch and walk out of it as if they have achieved something remarkable

this is like you deliberately temper with the course so other fast horses cannot run fast so that the experienced lame horses is able to compete

I guess a sporting pitch is enough to make them go 2-0 up!!!

Kumble in Delhi = Makybe Diva's 3rd Melbourne Cup

 

[Uppercut]

I think Marsh's selection is more a case of the selectors knowing that the reserve batsman is not going to get a game, and therefore they can send someone over just for the experience of being around the senior squad. Otherwise it would have been Hodge or Hussey.

A bit like when they selected Tait in 2005.


No further comment necessary.

 

[Precambrian]

Again this morning the papers are ablaze with India's reverse swinging genius, and Michael Clarke seemingly in awe. For mine, this aspect has been incredibly overstated. I can't remember too many reverse swing victims this series, certainly nothing like in 2005 versus England. The Australian top order would be better off concentrating on the basics and waiting for the bad ball, rather than trying to write their failures off this series to some dark and mysterious art.

You quite missed the 5th day Zaheer spell didnt ya?

 

[howardj]

You quite missed the 5th day Zaheer spell didnt ya?

The one where he cleaned up the lower order with an oldish ball?

It's Test cricket mate, the Australians have to expect good bowling.

 

[howardj]

Tubby was on the news last night commenting about our Test loss. He urged calm by citing the example of Australia's tour to India a decade ago where, having been roundly thrashed at Eden Gardens, we then bounced back to win the next Test in Bangalore. With respect to Tubs, I think the difference here is that back in 1998, the final Test match was a dead rubber and, furthermore, I reckon man-for-man we were right up there with India in terms of experience and skill. By contrast, in 2008, the next Test is not a dead rubber but rather India's chance to wrap up the Series, and also man-for-man I don't think too many of our players would make the Indian team at the moment.