*Official* - India in West Indies

[shivfan]

Correct me if wrong, but has not test cricket always played during this period?

Not in the Caribbean....

In the good old days, Test cricket was played from Feb-April, with the occasional match getting into May, but never June. The hurricane season is from June-Oct, when it rains more....

 

[vcs]

Damn damn damn.. that Dhoni dismissal is so depressing. One ball to go for lunch and he does that.

 

[Cevno]

The best basman is still to come tbh.

 

[shivfan]

They have nothing to gain from this series. I wonder why they decided to play a 3 test series after all. BCCI is like the Nanny Mcphee. Not what test cricket wanted, but what it needed.

Nothing wrong with a three-Test series....

They didn't need to play five ODIs, though - a complete waste of time! Three, or four at max, and then a three-day warmup game, and three Tests could easily have been slotted in, with time to go to England to play Somerset.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

A 2 test series, if it was clear BabuCCI wasn't going to take this seriously....

As I said before, friend, I am not a fan of two-test series.

The reason is that the sides are never adequately tested and a side that goes on the backfoot initially never gets a chance to show character in coming back with resolve. BCCI may not have sent their best side, but each one of the 22 players on the field is hungry to win.

After all isn't that what test cricket should be all about? Showing character, consistency, fitness and an ability to outlast and outperform your opponents?

When you hear about stories of Mike Holding and Andy Roberts taking 28 and 27 wickets respectively in a 5-match series, you know they were great bowlers. The ability to last the length of a long series and pitch in with consistently destructive performances is the hallmark of greatness.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Not in the Caribbean....

In the good old days, Test cricket was played from Feb-April, with the occasional match getting into May, but never June. The hurricane season is from June-Oct, when it rains more....

What is the reason the WICB prefers this schedule now? Looks to be a lose-lose situation for the players.

They are ragged after a long domestic season and the break means that they lose any momentum gained there. Seems kind of logic defying to me.

 

[silentstriker]

$$$

You're not going to refuse an Indian tour.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Nothing wrong with a three-Test series....

They didn't need to play five ODIs, though - a complete waste of time! Three, or four at max, and then a three-day warmup game, and three Tests could easily have been slotted in, with time to go to England to play Somerset.

That! Should be forged in platinum and hung on the BCCI office wall with immediate effect.

 

[vcs]

Really like the tune of this new Zee TV ad.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Placed, champ.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Would like to see a bit more enterprise from Sammy.

His best chance of winning the test lies in bundling out India within the next 20-30 runs and then chase the score. Difficult, granted but the skipper must take the bull by its horns. NOW!

Against Harbhajan (regardless of the man's fine 1st innings knock), I'd like to see a silly and a gully for the leggie. He'e getting some purchase and should have the confidence to pitch it up and get a bat-pad or edge off Bhajji. Once they get Bhajji, PK and the rest should follow soon.

Waiting for things to happen is defeatist. Especially just after the lunch session when even the set batsman has to start all over again.

 

[ponting28]

I think Kohli is play well in the test series. But he didn't play really well. But in recent days he is the best and continuous great batsman.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

I think Kohli is play well in the test series. But he didn't play really well. But in recent days he is the best and continuous great batsman.

Yeah. Shouldn't be judged harshly based on his failure in one test. They should persist with him.

 

[Manee]

Oh no. Don't expect the tail to last too long on this track.

 

[Isura]

wtf, I thought Praveen Kumar could bat

 

[vcs]

****ing hell.

 

[Cevno]

Sammy boosting his average by picking up some late wickets.

Poor shot by Praveen Kumar.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Sammy wrecking the lower order here. Turning to be interesting, this contest. Anything around 275 (or less) to chase and West Indies are in with a sniff.

 

[Contra]

PK certainly not helping his case for being picked in England =/

If only he took his batting as seriously as Bhajji has over the last few years.

 

[vcs]

Have a bad feeling about this one. Seems the Indian batsmen are way too casual and complacent.