they have shown that they have the best selection system in the world, they have shown that they can keep on winning even without warne/mcgrath, lee has stepped up tremendously and is clearly the best fast bowler in the world, clark's metronomic consistency would make him difficult to deal with anywhere and they have quite reasonable backup bowlers and parttimers who get the job done for them, the batting is quite brilliant as always with ponting, hayden, hussey and clarke leading the way and they've always been an exceptional fielding side...both warne and mcgrath were legends and would be extremely difficult to replace but they have shown that they are not going to curl up and die without them...based on how they've been performing after losing warne/mcgrath/langer/martin, you really have no basis for such an opinion/claim/prediction...
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Are India the second best team in the world?
- Thread starter silentstriker
- Start date
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
I don't neccessarily agree with it, but I think it's a valid opinion. None of the Australian bowlers have had any success in the subcontinent at all so far, and I think Clark is particular will have his effect reduced by the pitches there. Ponting has struggled to a huge degree in India in the past, while Jaques and Hussey have never played in the subcontinent either (Bangladesh excluded). So that's fair percentage of players completely unproven in the conditions they'll be playing in. And that's all before we account for the fact that Australia's spin options are quite poor at the moment.
I think it'll be a close series, however I'd be picking an Indian victory at this stage and I can see why someone would think Australia might get belted even if I don't agree with it myself.
I have good basis for such opinion/claim/prediction given none bar Lee have actually played Tests in the subcontinent and their successes post McGrath /Warne have been at home so far...and definitely not in the subcontinent...and if you are an Indian, be optimistic thats all I can say and if they (India) don't let controversy come in to spoil or sideline the Cricket, they can thump the Aussies by bigger margin than Steve Waugh's team ....
Anyway don't tell me how to have opinions, ok...
i can see why you'd think it will be a close series(and i think so too), and india could possibly win as well(this is not a huge prediction because they have beaten stronger australian sides in india), but what i don't agree with is that just because some players are unproven in those conditions, they would just crumble and be thrashed...i have seen lesser teams make it a real fight in india just by showing some steely determination and an unwillingess to succumb to the conditions, and the quality of the aussies would ensure that it is a close series...
i want india to win, doesn't mean that i should make outlandish, ridiculous claims though...and i am not telling you how to have opinions, but asking for a basis and so far you really haven't provided any, anyway forget it and let's see what happens in india...I have good basis for such opinion/claim/prediction given none bar Lee have actually played Tests in the subcontinent and their successes post McGrath /Warne have been at home so far...and definitely not in the subcontinent...and if you are an Indian, be optimistic thats all I can say and if they (India) don't let controversy come in to spoil or sideline the Cricket, they can thump the Aussies by bigger margin than Steve Waugh's team ....
Anyway don't tell me how to have opinions, ok...
thierry henry
International Coach
South Africa are #2
thierry henry
International Coach
If performances against Australia are the only thing that matters then we may as well cancel all other cricket
Given their rock solid "#2 in the world" performances for at least a decade, I fail to see how South Africa have fallen down the pecking order
Given their rock solid "#2 in the world" performances for at least a decade, I fail to see how South Africa have fallen down the pecking order
Perm
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Performing against Australia isn't the only thing, but it is a very important thing. Esssentially India and South Africa are roughly even, with India perhaps having a slight advantage. When you consider how each side performed against Australia lately, India's stock leaps dramatically.
EDIT: Not to mention that South Africa are incredibly reliant on one player.
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Dissector
International Debutant
India also was the first team to beat England in England for several years. I would also deduct points from SA for losing a test to the West Indies at home. And their batting is far too heavily dependent on Kallis and Prince.
I don't think there is a big gap between India and SA but it is there. SA could well claim the 2 spot later in 2008 but at the moment it belongs to India.
I don't think there is a big gap between India and SA but it is there. SA could well claim the 2 spot later in 2008 but at the moment it belongs to India.
Jono
Virat Kohli (c)
How about losing a test to Pakistan, India and even WI at home?
Captain Cricket
State Vice-Captain
South Africa is the second best team in the world.
Jono
Virat Kohli (c)
Sharma's probably more fit than RP, Sree, Munaf (obviously) and Zaheer though.
Not that an improved fitness obviously isn't desired, but he's known for his long spells back in India during first class matches (as he showed yest.), which is always a good sign.
Captain Cricket
State Vice-Captain
Munaf Patel's very talented imo, just needs to sort out his issues.
adharcric
International Coach
People often make a fitness judgment with the appearance of a player. For example, Ramesh Powar is not that unfit (especially compared to someone like Munaf, who looks strong on the surface) but everyone blasts his fitness thanks to that belly. Ishant Sharma is way too skinny and should add some bulk to that frame but he's athletic and his fitness is pretty good otherwise.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
As I said, I had India at #2 before this tour. South Africa have a brittle batting lineup barring Kallis at, to some extent, Prince, and their bowling attack lacks a Plan B. These issues have flown under the radar of late with them hammering the weaker teams, but they are there.
Salamuddin
International Debutant
I can't see how South Africa can be world number 2 when they've just dropped a home test to the West Indies of all teams.
silentstriker
The Wheel is Forever
I wonder if anyone has changed their mind now. In the last eight Test matches, home and away, India are 3-2-3 against Australia. I think they are now the second best team for sure, though SA are real close followed by England and SL.
silentstriker
The Wheel is Forever
Note: Australia still far away the best, regardless of this. It'll take a long time for them to come down to the pack IMO, if they do at all. So far they haven't lost to anybody but India and beat them in Australia.