***Official Australia in India***

[adharcric]

I was under the impression that Gambhir had appealed and would not be banned unless his hearing was held before the Nagpur test. Going by the past, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up playing - that said, I wouldn't mind if he misses out as either Chopra or Badrinath will get a chance.

 

[Precambrian]

Gambhir got banned for a test. However an appeal was made, and the hearing for it will happen only after the Nagpur test match starts, so there is a chance that Gambhir will play in that match. Watson got fined 10% for his role in provoking Gambhir.

 

[Top_Cat]

For mine, there was nothing in it and Gambhir shouldn't be in trouble. Yes, he lifted his elbow but I also do it just about every time I turn for a second run in the same fashion. Why? To get my bat in front of me and out of the way for the next run and just about everyone I know does the same thing unconsciously. It only looked suspicious because there was a 6'2" muscled-up quick bowler in his way and he had no chance to avoid him.

I'm sure Gambhir can be annoying but to me there is absolutely nothing in this. Both guys had a right to stand their ground and both hit each other. It was the sledging afterwards which might get him in trouble.

 

[krkode]

Gambhir's ears are weird. That itself should warrant a ban.

 

[NZTailender]

For mine, there was nothing in it and Gambhir shouldn't be in trouble. Yes, he lifted his elbow but I also do it just about every time I turn for a second run in the same fashion. Why? To get my bat in front of me and out of the way for the next run and just about everyone I know does the same thing unconsciously. It only looked suspicious because there was a 6'2" muscled-up quick bowler in his way and he had no chance to avoid him.

I'm sure Gambhir can be annoying but to me there is absolutely nothing in this. Both guys had a right to stand their ground and both hit each other. It was the sledging afterwards which might get him in trouble.

I think common-sense should've come into play, i.e. the players should've been made to sit down with each other, talk it over, apologise to each other and shake hands, then make a statement to the media apologising for their actions. This would not only be a good outcome for cricket but also the impressionable youth out there. IMO there should be moral repercussions, not just financial ones.

 

[pasag]

I was under the impression that Gambhir had appealed and would not be banned unless his hearing was held before the Nagpur test. Going by the past, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up playing - that said, I wouldn't mind if he misses out as either Chopra or Badrinath will get a chance.

Hmm, can't imagine too many other Indian fans being happy with far and away the best batsmen of the series being booted with the series win still on the line.

 

[silentstriker]

Hmm, can't imagine too many other Indian fans being happy with far and away the best batsmen of the series being booted with the series win still on the line.

I'm fine with it. Gives Chopra or Badrinath a chance. It's not ideal and I hope he plays, but I think we'll be OK.

 

[masterblaster]

Hmm, can't imagine too many other Indian fans being happy with far and away the best batsmen of the series being booted with the series win still on the line.

With the series on the line and with Gambhir scoring a truck load of runs, I will agree with you. I'd hate to see him miss out when he's in this kind of form. With Ganguly retiring, Badrinath should get his chance against England anyway, so I rather have Gambhir playing in this game. As highly as I regard Badrinath, you wouldn't expect him to produce the type of innings on debut that Gambhir has produced in this series.

 

[Raghav]

Will Gambhir play the next test?

If he doesn't play, Australians will feel lot more comfortable about that! don't they?

 

[Precambrian]

Just checking out Stuart Clark's Wiki, surprised to see that both his parents were born in India.

 

[aussie]

Just checking out Stuart Clark's Wiki, surprised to see that both his parents were born in India.

Yea, always though he had some strong Asian/Indian mixture in him. When Australia where in ENG in 05, saw him in the nets before the 3rd test i noticed it, but on TV he looks much lighter though..

 

[biased indian]

Nagpur pitch may turn spinner-friendly

The pitch of the newly constructed Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium here, where the fourth and final Test between India and Australia will be played from November 6, is expected to offer low bounce and assist the spinners midway through the match.

''It's a brick-based pitch topped with a combination of stones used for construction of dwellings, clay and garden soil. It's expected to offer low bounce and would be generally slow paced,'' VCA sources told mediapersons here yesterday.

After the third match ended in a tame draw in Delhi yesterday, the Aussies still have a chance to win the match and square the series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. So, winning the toss and batting first would be a major plus.

''The central square has been used to play five matches, of three and four-days' duration, basically selection trials for choosing the Vidarbha Ranji Trophy squad. The last tie was held 25 days ago,'' the sources said.

They further added that the pitch for the tie has, since then, been watered and continuously rolled and is unlikely to crack though spinners should get purchase from the wicket midway through the five-day series decider, to be played at the newly-constructed stadium in Jamtha on the Nagpur-Hyderabad road on November 6.

Both the teams will reach Nagpur today evening and then have a two-day practice, in the run-up to the last Test, at the VCA's old stadium in Civil Lines.

UNI

 

[pasag]

Yea, always though he had some strong Asian/Indian mixture in him. When Australia where in ENG in 05, saw him in the nets before the 3rd test i noticed it, but on TV he looks much lighter though..

Don't think he has any Asian blood in him.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Don't think he has any Asian blood in him.

Yeah there isn't I don't think.

 

[Burgey]

Nagpur pitch may turn spinner-friendly

The pitch of the newly constructed Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium here, where the fourth and final Test between India and Australia will be played from November 6, is expected to offer low bounce and assist the spinners midway through the match.

''It's a brick-based pitch topped with a combination of stones used for construction of dwellings, clay and garden soil. It's expected to offer low bounce and would be generally slow paced,'' VCA sources told mediapersons here yesterday.

After the third match ended in a tame draw in Delhi yesterday, the Aussies still have a chance to win the match and square the series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. So, winning the toss and batting first would be a major plus.

''The central square has been used to play five matches, of three and four-days' duration, basically selection trials for choosing the Vidarbha Ranji Trophy squad. The last tie was held 25 days ago,'' the sources said.

They further added that the pitch for the tie has, since then, been watered and continuously rolled and is unlikely to crack though spinners should get purchase from the wicket midway through the five-day series decider, to be played at the newly-constructed stadium in Jamtha on the Nagpur-Hyderabad road on November 6.

Both the teams will reach Nagpur today evening and then have a two-day practice, in the run-up to the last Test, at the VCA's old stadium in Civil Lines.

UNI

Well if it's got stones on top of it I imagine it would help the spinners!!

 

[Precambrian]

Well if it's got stones on top of it I imagine it would help the spinners!!

Hopefully it doesnt turn out to be a Mumbai 2004. Might as well determine the result by tossing a coin.

 

[four_or_six]

I think common-sense should've come into play, i.e. the players should've been made to sit down with each other, talk it over, apologise to each other and shake hands, then make a statement to the media apologising for their actions. This would not only be a good outcome for cricket but also the impressionable youth out there. IMO there should be moral repercussions, not just financial ones.

That is a bit the silly thing with all this. They showed Watson run over and shake hands with Gambhir and say well played as they walked off. It didn't seem as if either player was particularly bothered by the whole thing.

 

[Salamuddin]

Harbhajan expected to be fit for the Nagpur test.

I expect he will be the only change for India (to replace Kumble).


Hoping Rahul Dravid will make runs here at Nagpur.

 

[krkode]

Harbhajan expected to be fit for the Nagpur test.

I expect he will be the only change for India (to replace Kumble).


Hoping Rahul Dravid will make runs here at Nagpur.

I feel like it's only a matter of time before Dravid pulls something out of the hat... just like Laxman did.

Or maybe I just hope that.

 

[masterblaster]

Harbhajan expected to be fit for the Nagpur test.

I expect he will be the only change for India (to replace Kumble).


Hoping Rahul Dravid will make runs here at Nagpur.

I have a feeling he'll come good as well. With Gambhir, Laxman, Tendulkar and Ganguly all in good form, all he needs to do is settle down and form a partnership with these guys and just play without any tension or restriction. The other guys at the other end are in great form and are all dependable, so I think Dravid should just go out there, relax and do what he does best which is bat well.