*Official* First Test at Lord's

[Tom Halsey]

Kumar appears to be no different from 100s of club seamers in England. Bowling standard medium pace outers should not, IMO, qualify for a Test place.

According to this theory, Glenn McGrath in the latter part of his career isn't any different from 100s of club seamers in England. Except he didn't even swing it very much.

Ignore all the absolutist principles about what a Test bowler should or shouldn't do, a Test bowler should have an expected average of less than all the people he's fighting for his place with, taking into account conditions etc. Small sample though it is, Kumar has done well in his international career so far, and done well in his domestic career.

 

[Burgey]

Any news on how long Zaheer's out for, if at all?

Eight weeks apparently, according to the radio here. Luckily, like all the great teams of the past, they have such superb depth in back up bowling, isn't it?

India were kissed on the dick with the rain there. Could've got really ugly.

 

[Burgey]

According to this theory, Glenn McGrath in the latter part of his career isn't any different from 100s of club seamers in England. Except he didn't even swing it very much.

Ignore all the absolutist principles about what a Test bowler should or shouldn't do, a Test bowler should have an expected average of less than all the people he's fighting for his place with, taking into account conditions etc. Small sample though it is, Kumar has done well in his international career so far, and done well in his domestic career.

McGrath had the benefit of 10 years experience and being six feet one thousand tall.

And of being Glenn McGrath. He's a better bowler now than Praveen Kumar.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Lol @ people taking Social's trolling seriously.

Cricinfo saying Zaheer's an Hamstring injury.

Sad thing is, I don't think he's trolling haha.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

8 weeks, that's really bad. He get's injured when India are fighting for their no 1 place. **** happens at the worst moments lol.

 

[Jacknife]

McGrath had the benefit of 10 years experience and being six feet one thousand tall.

And of being Glenn McGrath.he's a better bowler now than Praveen Kumar.

Agree and even at the end of his career, he wasn't bowling 77 mph like Kumar is.

 

[keeper]

According to cricinfo...

'It is understood that Zaheer was cramping in the dressing room after he limped off midway into the third over of his third spell.'

Guess they had to be careful when they typed that out.

 

[grecian]

Sad thing is, I don't think he's trolling haha.

Ahh, well it's a thin line with Social, his anti-british mentality and trolling can just seem very close together. Mind you he was right about Rory McIlroy being a flawed golfer.

 

[Howe_zat]

Eight weeks apparently,

Frankly, it'd not be so much a hammer blow as a death sentance to India's series.

 

[Burgey]

Frankly, it'd not be so much a hammer blow as a death sentance to India's series.

Well tbf I heard it as I woke up so I may be wrong.

Funny if I'm not, though it will give indian fans an excuse.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

It's pretty ****ty on Zak's part tbf. He skips the WI tour to remain fit for this series and then he can't even bowl for the entire first day. I think he should retire if he can't maintain the fitness.

 

[keeper]

If it was a hammy it didn't go altogether as he walked off. Strain at most. Might effect this match and maybe a bit more but no way 8 weeks.

 

[grecian]

If it was a hammy it didn't go altogether as he walked off. Strain at most. Might effect this match and maybe a bit more but no way 8 weeks.

Hammys are not what you want as a fast bowler though. A slight strain becomes a major problem easily.

 

[silentstriker]

Without Zaheer, India can't and won't win the series. It's too bad, I would have liked to see full strength sides against each other, but now no Sehwag and no Zaheer.

 

[silentstriker]

Kumar appears to be no different from 100s of club seamers in England. Bowling standard medium pace outers should not, IMO, qualify for a Test place.

Taking wickets should qualify you for a Test place IMO. Simple as. It doesn't matter what you look like while doing it.

 

[keeper]

Hammys are not what you want as a fast bowler though. A slight strain becomes a major problem easily.

Indeed, and the problem of recurrence can be high - especially if rushed back. His age isn't helpful either. Just don't buy an initial 8 weeks though. Not that I'm exactly basing this diagnosis on a close examination of the patient.

 

[grecian]

Without Zaheer, India can't and won't win the series. It's too bad, I would have liked to see full strength sides against each other, but now no Sehwag and no Zaheer.

It is a shame, no doubt, but the fact is England fans said for ages, that "if Flintoff was Fit", and it's now the same with Zak and India, he's injury-prone, and that must factor into whether India are World Number 1.

 

[grecian]

Indeed, and the problem of recurrence can be high - especially if rushed back. His age isn't helpful either. Just don't buy an initial 8 weeks though. Not that I'm exactly basing this diagnosis on a close examination of the patient.

Oh fair enough, your right, it does seem a bit of a reactionary number.

 

[Prince EWS]

If Zaheer gets through two Tests in the series, that's probably a fair reflection of the Indian full-strength side - him playing half the games India do these days. Shame about Sehwag though.

 

[silentstriker]

It is a shame, no doubt, but the fact is England fans said for ages, that "if Flintoff was Fit", and it's now the same with Zak and India, he's injury-prone, and that must factor into whether India are World Number 1.

Never said anything about rankings....just that I would have liked to see a full strength side.