***Official*** India in Australia 2014-5

[harsh.ag]

After all is said and done, this is a marvelous tribute to Phillip Hughes.

 

[Cevno]

I am starting to like him as a captain. Appears aggressive compared to MSD.

Agreed.

Though he needs to learn more in terms of bowling plans and changes, i would support making him permanent captain.


This interview just now on Star was brilliant. Saying he never thought of a draw and also that he had to stop tension and fights now.

 

[dognutz]

The first one was good no doubt but I get the feeling that Clarke declares a tad bit too early in the 1st innings. Idk but I'm a fan of huge 1st innings runs, causes more scoreboard pressure and ensures faster play in the second innings.

yup - Pile 'em on while you can and pschologically run your opponent down. Funny how so many massive 1st inns scores are followed by meagre replies

 

[Swingpanzee]

Australia

Warner 10
Rogers 2
Watson 2
Clarke 9.5
Smith 10
Marsh 6 - would go by 1 if he had taken that Vijay blinder
Haddin 5
Johnson 5 - looked below par but will bounce back at the Gabba
Harris 8
Siddle 1.5 - but no fire at all, military medium pace and to compound problems dropped an easy catch. Admire his heart but is quite a liability and Hazlewood should be in.
Lyon 10

India

Dhawan 2
Vijay 8
Pujara 6
Kohli 10
Rahane 5
R Sharma 2 - horrible 2nd innings
Saha 6
K Sharma 4
Shami 4
I Sharma 5.5
Aaron 5 - went for a lot of runs but glimpses of promise, that spell in the 2nd innings was good.

 

[dognutz]

The first one was good no doubt but I get the feeling that Clarke declares a tad bit too early in the 1st innings. Idk but I'm a fan of huge 1st innings runs, causes more scoreboard pressure and ensures faster play in the second innings.

yup - Pile 'em on while you can and pschologically run your opponent down. Funny how so many massive 1st inns scores are followed by meagre replies

 

[Swingpanzee]

yup - Pile 'em on while you can and pschologically run your opponent down. Funny how so many massive 1st inns scores are followed by meagre replies

Tbf in this match Clarke took the rain into account plus one could argue that he timed the delcaration well and that shows with about 12 (? not totally sure) overs left to go by the end of the match. But there have been some matches like Old trafford last years Ashes where Australia declared early instead of going huuuuge in the first innings and might have potentially been robbed of a win.

 

[Spark]

Clarke just said there's a chance he'll never play again.

 

[morgieb]

Clarke just said there's a chance he'll never play again.

WTF

Don't let this be true.

 

[duffer]

Clarke just said there's a chance he'll never play again.

No way.

 

[Cevno]

Think Clarke will retire after the WC and Ashes if he can make it till then.


Doubt it will be his last test match here.

 

[dognutz]

Tbf in this match Clarke took the rain into account plus one could argue that he timed the delcaration well and that shows with about 12 (? not totally sure) overs left to go by the end of the match. But there have been some matches like Old trafford last years Ashes where Australia declared early instead of going huuuuge in the first innings and might have potentially been robbed of a win.

yeah was referring to previous games more than this one - very sporting but sometimes too much so, almost disrespectfully so

sry 4 da double post - bloody mobiles!

 

[Swingpanzee]

Clarke just said there's a chance he'll never play again.

Refuse to believe this.

 

[harsh.ag]

This is just a pot boiler of knock-out moments and news, this day. Cricket needs Clarke

 

[Teja.]

It's important to remember that despite how close it seemed with 20 overs to go, India did not deserve to be equals at all, Australia outperformed them comprehensively from a holistic POV which is why this is so grating. Kohli (with help and luck from Vijay) single-handedly challenged fate and inevitability with his two innings and got India in a position to win if only there was a little help from his friends. Make no mistake, it was not India putting up a great fight, it was Kohli running the show from the ruins with both swords drawn. My respect for him has risen tremoundously, it was even more a show of character than one of skill and considering how immense his strokeplay was, that isn't a light compliment.

This also makes us very vulnerable for the remaining tests because we cannot expect an individual performance like that again and we really need 7-8 players to stop being passengers in the game and turn it up.

 

[Antihippy]

Screw the world cup, just keep him on ice till the ashes.

The test team still needs him.

 

[Swingpanzee]

Nah there's no way this is his last test. Clarkey's a fighter and he'll be back. Either way I don't think we should worry about it now, just enjoy the moment.

 

[Spikey]

i mean if he torn the hamstring of the bone there's a damn good chance he'll never play again.

 

[Swingpanzee]

And yeah Clarke's not needed for the WC. Only tests.

 

[Pothas]

Why did I stay up for the first session instead of getting up early for the last?

 

[Pratters]

Wouldn't be surprised if it is indeed Clarke's last test. His injury means he is likely never going to be the same player, from what I read on an earlier thread on CW itself. However, this experience of the last week is bound to leave him emotionally completely sapped. You give it your all and then, you do not have any more to give.

This has been a change of times in so many ways. Kohli for Dhoni. The Indians showing fight again, if only in parts. And a new page for Australia too. There was a moment in the test where Clarke was discussing strategy with Steve Smith. Will Steve Smith be the captain people think he might? Haddin might lead Australia for a bit too but Australia is not a team you associate with stop gap captains.

This might just have been my favourite test match for the emotions involved, even though I just saw the last day.