*Official* India in South Africa

[Arjun]

It's not the batsmen who need to prove themselves- it's the bowlers. They've had something well in their favour here, and need to roll the batting side over cheaply to prove themselves. Unless the pitch is drastically flatter, the quartet of Ishant, Sreesanth, Harbhajan and Unadkat have to bowl the Proteas out for under 250 to show what they're worth in this side. Likewise, Raina should bowl far more than he usually has, to make up for batting failures. The batsmen, at the very least, have proven themselves elsewhere, bar such bowler-friendly conditions, but we've yet to see India's (seam) bowlers exploit the same conditions to roll teams over cheaply.

That's still no excuse for either of Unadkat or Yadav to be anywhere near Test selection, though.

 

[Shri]

Kallis, AbDv and Amla to get SA over 600. Hopefully the game gets drawn.

 

[Shri]

Harbhajan says the pitch is damp. Will the ball turn a lot then? Whats the difference between a damp wicket and a sticky wicket anyway? Serious question. No smart ass puns please.

 

[NasserFan207]

If SA are smart they will realise that 400 could be enough.

 

[vcs]

If SA are smart they will realise that 400 could be enough.

More than. They even declared at 400 odd after bowling England out for a similar score last year in the final Test of that series.

 

[TT Boy]

Need to get the final wicket first and then negotiate what is still likely to be a lively surface. 400 is still a pipe dream at this moment in time. This isn't Nagpur or Ahmedabad.

 

[TT Boy]

More than. They even declared at 400 odd after bowling England out for a similar score last year in the final Test of that series.

Which was played at a completely different ground + deck. That surface was just lightening quick and had plenty of bounce; this one is green and not particularly quick.

 

[vcs]

Which was played at a completely different ground + deck. That surface was just lightening quick and had plenty of bounce; this one is green and not particularly quick.

The interesting thing about this pitch and in general in South Africa, is that there seems to be plenty of lateral movement on offer irrespective of overhead conditions... looked fairly sunny yesterday on TV. So the bowlers should be in the game throughout the innings really.

 

[smash84]

The interesting thing about this pitch and in general in South Africa, is that there seems to be plenty of lateral movement on offer irrespective of overhead conditions... looked fairly sunny yesterday on TV. So the bowlers should be in the game throughout the innings really.

can't wait for the day's play to start.

 

[vcs]

South Africa v India, 1st Test: No warm-up leaves India's welcome cold | Cricket Features | South Africa v India | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Shri]

Will rage pretty hard if some Indian **** gets a wicket off a no ball today.

 

[honestbharani]

IIRC, we didn't have any warm up games in NZ either...

 

[vcs]

IIRC, we didn't have any warm up games in NZ either...

As the article says, their bowling attack is not on the same planet as SA's (Martin's miracle spell in Ahmedabad aside) and India were lucky enough to bowl first when the conditions were helpful in the first Test.`

 

[TT Boy]

Morne.

 

[vcs]

That was quick.

 

[Turbinator]

Alright fellas'... Time to pick up some wickets

 

[vcs]

Would settle for a deficit under 150 in a heartbeat.

 

[vcs]

Our pace bowlers are barely getting the ball to carry through properly to the keeper.

 

[silentstriker]

I feel Unadkat and his fearsome 125kph bowling will quickly make its way into the wheel of mediocrity.

 

[TT Boy]

Probably not the best idea to bounce Smith when you have no pace, you are built like a child and the wicket isn’t very quick. Morne on average is 20kph+ quicker than Unadkat. Kallis quicker than the Indian seamers as well. Bhaji before lunch?