2nd Test at the MCG, Melbourne, 26 Dec - 30 Dec 2020

[Spark]

This has probably been covered earlier but regardless of the result of this Test, which I would say is poised about 60% / 40% in India's favour due to India's suspect batting line up and Australia's strong lower order, I think Umesh's injury is very worrying. Saini and Siraj feels a far cry from Shami and Ishant!

siraj has been excellent tbh. you aren't missing much there at all so far.

(a strong win for spark cpl ltd etc etc)

 

[vicleggie]

Pretty sure if smith plays for 3+ more years- his average and overall test record will end up being inferior to both Kohli and Williamson

Nobody knows really

The small faced **** is not a 60 average player, that's for sure

 

[honestbharani]

You are just gambhiring in the hope he will hit 70, right?

 

[vicleggie]

it happens to everyone. this indian attack is in with a fair shout of being the best in the world, if you aren't completely at it they'll get you out cheaply and keep you down. kohli in 2017 (and nz earlier this year), williamson last summer; it happens.

smith is unique, however, in that if he has three poor innings in a row, then the batting qanoners will come out of the woodwork to claim that he actually was a rubbish batsman all along. no one claimed kohli and williamson were past it last summer so the attempt to do the same here is pretty transparent.

Nobody is saying smith is ****, just that he doesn't match his offensively high average

 

[Nintendo]

Cherry picked stats are funny

 

[Slifer]

Pitch isn't doing much, some of the lesser bats like Smith won't be sitting ducks anymore.

?????. Hate to say I told you so but I did.

 

[Spikey]

Cherry picked stats are funny

facts are facts

 

[Flem274*]

and facts dont care about your feelings

 

[Gnske]

Cherry picked stats are funny

wtf i love usman now

 

[stephen]

Cherry picked stats are funny

Tbf Ponting was about half Usman's age by the time he'd played 71 innings.

 

[Manee]

siraj has been excellent tbh. you aren't missing much there at all so far.

(a strong win for spark cpl ltd etc etc)

I do like that his strong A Team performances have been rewarded with selection and that he's done well, but I really did enjoy having the class of recent Ishant Sharma (post county-stint) in the Test team. Super accurate and swinging it both ways was a joy to watch. He looked so in control!

 

[Pup Clarke]

Is Moises fit? Genuinely get him in if so

 

[Manee]

and facts dont care about your feelings

Not related to cricket or the relevant context but that is something Ben Shapiro says and in my view, it is best to avoid that!

 

[Flem274*]

Not related to cricket or the relevant context but that is something Ben Shapiro says and in my view, it is best to avoid that!

completely agree

 

[Line and Length]

Moises isn't the Messiah.

 

[stephen]

Moises isn't the Messiah.

He's barely even John the Baptist.

 

[Shri]

I would say is poised about 60% / 40% in India's favour

80/20 india

 

[Gnske]

Not related to cricket or the relevant context but that is something Ben Shapiro says and in my view, it is best to avoid that!

Qanon and Ben Shapiro getting mentioned in an Indian / Australia test thread but we can't even hate each other.

Something is going wrong with this tour.

 

[honestbharani]

Just need some @ajdude to make it the best match thread ever.

 

[OverratedSanity]

OS you have been so on point the last week or so. Quick singles being wastes of time and now this. Is there anything you can't do at the moment?

you forgot to mention non-injury subs in tests. Put me in charge of the game ffs.