*Official* Road to India in Australia 2011/12

[karan316]

Don't worry - the longer he spends out of the national side and the less he bowls, the less everyone remembers how bad he became and the more everyone rates him. I noticed more and more people rating him the longer he went without playing a First Class match. Now he's gone one better and started succeeding at a low level of cricket without fans actually being able to watch his mediocre bowling skills, so it's only a matter of time until you're regarded a Pathan hater.

Well, I saw his bowling in both his recent FC games, he was swinging the ball well and has improved his fitness and has bowled very long spells, I don't know how you are commenting even without looking at his recent performances,
he has already picked 14 wickets in 2 games despite of getting no assistance from the wicket. And its not just this series, he played in IPL and then played 2 more domestic tournaments before the Ranji trophy, so its not that he is not playing much cricket at all, though I agree that he hasn't played many FC games.

 

[karan316]

The same reasons why great players of Stick Cricket or Codemasters Ricky Ponting Cricket 07 aren't termed as great cricketers, really.

I don't think ODIs are too easy, it has its own challenges and players need a lot of skill to become successful in it and stay consistent for a long time.

 

[Cruxdude]

This is not fair, nothing can come close to test cricket, but ODIs have their challenges too, why can't great ODI players be termed as great cricketers?

Elitism FTW

 

[Teja.]

I don't think ODIs are too easy, it has its own challenges and players need a lot of skill to become successful in it and stay consistent for a long time.

"own" here being the operative word. The point made regarding stick cricket is not about the inferiority of it compared to test cricket but rather about the uniqueness of it.

 

[Manee]

The same reasons why great players of Stick Cricket or Codemasters Ricky Ponting Cricket 07 aren't termed as great cricketers, really.

If you're not a 'finisher', it is rare that you will be a great ODI cricketer and not a great Test cricketer.

 

[Furball]

If you're not a 'finisher', it is rare that you will be a great ODI cricketer and not a great Test cricketer.

Off the top of my head, Ganguly and Jayasuriya say hi.

 

[Prince EWS]

Off the top of my head, Ganguly and Jayasuriya say hi.

Not to mention, you know, bowlers.

 

[Furball]

Not to mention, you know, bowlers.

In Manee's defence I assume he was referring to batsmen, even if he didn't say it, Mr Pedant.

 

[Manee]

Off the top of my head, Ganguly and Jayasuriya say hi.

Throwing around the word 'great' there, I feel.

 

[Howe_zat]

Throwing around the word 'great' there, I feel.

What else is the word for?

 

[Furball]

Throwing around the word 'great' there, I feel.

Both players were, IMO, definitely ODI greats.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Any of you douches going to the MCG?

Yeah, think I'll end up being there.

 

[karan316]

Zaheer has just bowled 6 overs today out of the 29 overs Mumbai has bowled, it will be interesting to see how many more can he bowl tomorrow, and Irfan has picked 5 wickets again, now he has 19 wickets(in 5 innings) , hope he is back in the team.

 

[Daemon]

Don't worry - the longer he spends out of the national side and the less he bowls, the less everyone remembers how bad he became and the more everyone rates him. I noticed more and more people rating him the longer he went without playing a First Class match.

Yeah, this was relevant before he started doing well.

Now he's gone one better and started succeeding at a low level of cricket without fans actually being able to watch his mediocre bowling skills, so it's only a matter of time until you're regarded a Pathan hater.

You don't rate Ranji Elite at all do you..

Well, I saw his bowling in both his recent FC games, he was swinging the ball well and has improved his fitness and has bowled very long spells, I don't know how you are commenting even without looking at his recent performances,
he has already picked 14 wickets in 2 games despite of getting no assistance from the wicket. And its not just this series, he played in IPL and then played 2 more domestic tournaments before the Ranji trophy, so its not that he is not playing much cricket at all, though I agree that he hasn't played many FC games.

Where did you watch his bowling?



I have reservations about him and how good he is, certainly until there's more evidence from more sources. (I do love him though and hope he'll become a good bowler for India some day)

 

[Cruxdude]

Irfan has just taken a 5 wickets out of the 6 to fall against Delhi. Delhi is no pushover too.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Irfan Pathan will be back at some point as he fits the criteria that Fletcher adores, a bowler who can bat. Whether he is up to it or not, he will get another chance in the Indian test side at some stage as his potential as an all rounder is something Fletcher will find hard to ignore.

 

[Cruxdude]

Wonder who will be the spinner turning up in the first test. Ashwin might have the edge but there are 2 tour games to finalize that. Would be tough on whoever misses out.

 

[honestbharani]

If we have a bowling attack that reads Pathan, Zak and Umesh/Ishant, I think Ojha will have a shout. Else Ashwin's better batting credentials will almost definitely get him a place in the starting side. On another note, a tail that would read Pathan, Ashwin, Zak and Ishant is plenty better than anything India have put out in recent times.

 

[Jono]

Irfan's test career barring Perth and a bit of Pakistan in 2004 on the whole has been ****house, but I find it funny when people who haven't seen him bowl for years are saying because he was **** in 2007 he's **** forever.

He may have improved. You can't be sure.

Anyway would still rather Yadav. Like the cut of his jib.

 

[Daemon]

If they're taking Pathan then we'll all get to see him in the warm up games (provided those are televised) and make a better selection based on that.