***Official India in New Zealand***

[analyst]

Why would any sane person want Bhaji to be dropped? Is sanity at an all time low?

 

[Prince EWS]

Southee playing, India sent in. Interesting. You'd assume that meant that wicket had a bit of life it it, although it might just be wishful thinking.

 

[cowboysfan]

Why would any sane person want Bhaji to be dropped? Is sanity at an all time low?

bhajji haters club.

 

[funnygirl]

bhajji haters club.

sure an annoying character but no way can be dropped!

 

[Prince EWS]

Backing Martin to have a good Test. He always seems to bowl ridiculous well in Wellington. 40 wickets @ 26.47 here but even that doesn't really show how much better he generally looks when he bowls here.

 

[thierry henry]

Should've had a wicket off the first ball of the test but the slips were too far back??

2 overs in and Richardson and Doull are already talking about how we need faster seamers, fmd

 

[silentstriker]

Hint of swing, and look at that first ball....

The first session is absolutely crucial. India need the grafters here.

 

[cowboysfan]

Hint of swing, and look at that first ball....

The first session is absolutely crucial. India need the grafters here.

you want sehwag to get out?

 

[silentstriker]

Commentators are saying it might swing for up to 45-50 overs with the new ball.

 

[thierry henry]

Why not a 3rd man for Sehwag, rather than a fine-leg?

 

[thierry henry]

Sehwag hits a 6 over point in the 4th over, fmd. Would it kill Doull to get a little excited about it?

 

[silentstriker]

See that's the thing with Sehwag. He'll play like this all the time. You can't like what he is doing right now, and then not like what he did last test match. He just goes hard, and you hope no one is in that area to catch.

 

[thierry henry]

Feel a bit sorry for Southee here....he is basically bowling full and getting plenty of swing, more or less what is asked of him, and Sehwag is just smoking him through the off-side

 

[thierry henry]

See that's the thing with Sehwag. He'll play like this all the time. You can't like what he is doing right now, and then not like what he did last test match. He just goes hard, and you hope no one is in that area to catch.

Agreed

And that is why I NEVER like him

 

[silentstriker]

Agreed

And that is why I NEVER like him

Same here.

 

[Nutter]

Southee needs to develop an inswinger or off cutter.

 

[Nutter]

How flat is this pitch?

 

[thierry henry]

Southee needs to develop an inswinger or off cutter.

ummm, he clearly already has an off-cutter, hence the way he dismissed Hayden and Katich at the Gabba

 

[Blakey]

Vettori will be SPEWING at this pitch!

O'brain needed to have been brought on 2 overs ago.

Why the hell did the decide to bowl after ordering the bowlers to rest after their last test during which they bowled for nearly 3 days straight? AYE?

Southee, poor Southee. Brought into the team too early. Got lucky in his first test, but what else really has he to show? Def has potential but come on, this kid is getting murdered.

 

[silentstriker]

Right now, there is enough on offer for the bowlers. How long that continues remains to be seen.

50 up for India, in good time.