**Official** 5th Test at Sydney, 3-7 Jan 2025

[subshakerz]

Looks like Khwaja could have had a decent series had it not been for Bumrah.

 

[ajdude]

Yep they need to start some new players imo. this is not a big chase and stuff up is a shame. no bumrah. imagine with bumrah. poor selection by ind selectors not picking prasidh, he was there in the squad the entire time. moves the ball and is a genuine front line for india next 5-6 years.

omg guys

 

[nightprowler10]

Looks like Khwaja could have had a decent series had it not been for Bumrah.

Trying to jinx him?

 

[Skipper Pup]

i cant believe they are stuffing this small chase up. no bumrah. prasidh unplayable. why didnt he play the other tests? India wouldve won the BGT if prasidh played the other tests...

Head is average- will fail again here, leaving a massive task to the Tail. I believe he is only a 30-35 average batsman over the long term. Like Labuschagne, a good start to test cricket followed by mediocrity.

Smith looks done IMO, they need to find a replacement for him.

Sounds like it might be time to take the dog for a walk, Halba. Don't let this result ruin your day.

 

[nightprowler10]

A run out here is what we need.

 

[silentstriker]

Looks like Khwaja could have had a decent series had it not been for Bumrah.

It is interesting though, like what if the guy would score against everyone bar one and just happens to get him all the time, its a rough situation.

 

[halba]

91 required is a lot on this pitch. it depends on head- hes a double or nothing, sink or swim type of player.

 

[subshakerz]

Looks like Khwaja could have had a decent series had it not been for Bumrah.

Selectors should be merciful on him for SL. Still a very good player of spin.

 

[stephen]

It is interesting though, like what if the guy would score against everyone bar one and just happens to get him all the time, its a rough situation.

Atherton was an ATG opener who had his stats ruined by McGrath.

 

[Spikey]

Well ok then, Fergus at 4 for SL. Smith dropped one too many catches.

 

[TheJediBrah]

halba has to have some kind of adhd

 

[OverratedSanity]

Enough Siraj ffs, just try reddy or something

 

[TheJediBrah]

Atherton was an ATG opener who had his stats ruined by McGrath.

All the English bowlers that had to bowl to Bradman should have their averages adjusted down by at least a few runs

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Smith in 4th Innings Test Matches

Innings: 31
Runs: 786
Average: 31.44
50s: 6
100s: 0
50+ Scores: 6
Not Outs: 6
Ducks: 1

 

[nightprowler10]

Enough Siraj ffs, just try reddy or something

Reckon he should've been coming around the wicket to Head.

 

[stephen]

Atherton was an ATG opener who had his stats ruined by McGrath.

Was it Richard who had this take non-ironically?

 

[halba]

Smith in 4th Innings Test Matches

Innings: 31
Runs: 786
Average: 31.44
50s: 6
100s: 0
50+ Scores: 6
Not Outs: 6
Ducks: 1

its pretty average. he has peaked his career - several years ago. if he fails in SL then hes under pressure to get picked for the Ashes. He doesnt play spin well at all nowadays. issue is there is no one in the Shield cricket banging down the door to replace these guys, Aus bound to fall down the rankings with Eng and SAF likely to the top of the rankings in the next several years - SAF have some youngsters coming up and Eng as well(e.g. Brook who averages 58 in tests). Aus have pretty much no one coming up- Konstas is a T20 kid trying to play tests , dont see him with more than a 30 average in his career!

Re here, its game on 91 runs is quite a lot on this track, 7 wickets but a lot of tail enders/lower order players.

 

[subshakerz]

Head looking very edgy. But I think this innings needs a short cameo of strokes to take Aus into comfort zone.

 

[Redbacks]

It is interesting though, like what if the guy would score against everyone bar one and just happens to get him all the time, its a rough situation.

McGrath was probably like this for a lot of openers.

 

[Starfighter]

This chase is giving vibes of previous failed chases of small targets (like vs SA in 94) except they're determined to do it against worse bowling than in any of those matches.