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

[honestbharani]

That was actually one thing Labuschagne and Head did well while they were batting, just getting singles here and there off decent balls by pushing them into gaps at cover and midwicket (which were there all day), it’s then no coincidence that batting looked easier and easier for them until Bumrah basically bounced Head out.

This sort of tangents on to the discussion I am having with Burgey, its not a coincidence that those 2 are relatively secure of their spots and have been playing at this level for a while. I think it is harder for batsmen to work out the easy risk free 1 or 2 against quality bowling on a difficult wicket than they do with respect to boundary shots or defensive ones, which gives them a nice binary shade. And when you are still in your early days as a player, which is very much true for Green and I think he is the only you can accuse of not being proactive who batted after that partnership.

 

[Spark]

This sort of tangents on to the discussion I am having with Burgey, its not a coincidence that those 2 are relatively secure of their spots and have been playing at this level for a while. I think it is harder for batsmen to work out the easy risk free 1 or 2 against quality bowling on a difficult wicket than they do with respect to boundary shots or defensive ones, which gives them a nice binary shade. And when you are still in your early days as a player, which is very much true for Green and I think he is the only you can accuse of not being proactive who batted after that partnership.

Labuschagne yes, but wouldn't call Head's spot secure given the constant media chatter about his spot and the self-admission of Head himself. But that is one thing where he has clearly shown real aptitude in his Test career thus far; what he maybe lacks in technique and conversion he does have in that sort of nous and ball-by-ball tactical batsmanship.

But yeah I didn't really expect a lot from Green with the bat so far despite his crazy FC average (and the manner of his dismissal today is a concern). Ideally he's coming in with a solid platform and able to play with a bit more freedom, it's a big ask to ask a 20yo kid with not that much FC experience to dig the side out of a hole against this calibre of bowling.

 

[wpdavid]

So good to see India fight back after 36ao and without their regularly captain. Let's hope they can kick on tomorrow.
I just saw that jadeja catch. He was brilliant but what on earth was Gill doing? I know he's a you gster on debut, but just amateur to chase it down when jadeja was clearly calling it

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Presumably no one really believes Australia aren't going to win.

 

[Pup Clarke]

I think Wade has to take a significant portion of the blame here. Playing a truly diabolical shot against an innocuous delivery as an opener in the first session of a test match is just spineless. Might be some leeway if he was bogged down but was literally 30 off 35 or along those lines. Unreal how a professional sportsman could make that decision

 

[Gob]

I think Wade has to take a significant portion of the blame here. Playing a truly diabolical shot against an innocuous delivery as an opener in the first session of a test match is just spineless. Might be some leeway if he was bogged down but was literally 30 off 35 or along those lines. Unreal how a professional sportsman could make that decision

Should be dropped for that shot alone. Absolute disgrace

Tommorow will be a batting say so if Aus doesn't snag Pujara early, they could be in for a long day. Either way they have to keep india to a manageable lead and bat properly next time. Batting on 4th and 5th days will be difficult but I'm afraid this may not last that long (obviously that's what she said)

 

[Arachnodouche]

This sort of tangents on to the discussion I am having with Burgey, its not a coincidence that those 2 are relatively secure of their spots and have been playing at this level for a while. I think it is harder for batsmen to work out the easy risk free 1 or 2 against quality bowling on a difficult wicket than they do with respect to boundary shots or defensive ones, which gives them a nice binary shade. And when you are still in your early days as a player, which is very much true for Green and I think he is the only you can accuse of not being proactive who batted after that partnership.

Which is why Gill coming out and scoring freely was so important. Don't get me wrong, I had my heart in my mouth the whole time, but we've been guilty in the past of allowing the scoreboard to stagnate in the name of grit and determination. That approach has paid dividends too, but it is less liable to succeed against this Australian attack, even more improved and consistent now than it was two years ago. Not saying manufacture shots like Wade did, but if you can play with conviction within your attacking repertoire then it helps move the game along and puts the bowlers on the defensive.

 

[Red]

Should be dropped for that shot alone. Absolute disgrace

Yeh, let's drop the guy who looked like he had any idea of how to deal with the bowling (in actuality, Wade deals with the Indian quicks easily), over, say, Burns, who you could see was gonna edge Bumrah into the cordon for under 10 from the get go.

If Pukovski can't play, Wade is our best option to partner Warner, by a far margin.

 

[Burgey]

Dropping both is an option too

 

[gabbadan]

Gill is possibly too much of a dasher just yet but is talented.
If he gets through this morning I will be pleasantly surprised.
Wade is trying to emulate Warner and got out trying.
He has more guts than brains I admit.

 

[Gob]

Yeh, let's drop the guy who looked like he had any idea of how to deal with the bowling (in actuality, Wade deals with the Indian quicks easily), over, say, Burns, who you could see was gonna edge Bumrah into the cordon for under 10 from the get go.

If Pukovski can't play, Wade is our best option to partner Warner, by a far margin.

Nah

 

[Manee]

Gill is possibly too much of a dasher just yet but is talented.
If he gets through this morning I will be pleasantly surprised.
Wade is trying to emulate Warner and got out trying.
He has more guts than brains I admit.

I didn't see much of the day but the shot seemed a bit Warner-esque.

 

[stephen]

Burns out for Warner should be the only change.

The problem is not the personnel, the problem is the thinking. Australia's mental game is off.

 

[Gob]

Get a feeling team india will bat big today

 

[aussie tragic]

All I want is for Australia top 7 to be able bat for 3 sessions so that the bowlers can put their feet up for once. Is that too much to ask?

Seems like the last few years Australia finish bowling and within 2 sessions bowlers have to bat (and then bowl in 3rd session)

 

[Flem274*]

wade is just under test standard by hard metric (ave 35 bare minimum imo) but i think he can do a job in home tests opening.

 

[Daemon]

How long before this starts

 

[morgieb]

How long before this starts

Another hour.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Just been watching the highlights.

Teeny bit more elbow in Siraj's action than I'm comfortable with. His action reminds me of a taller Andrew Hall.

And I don't wanna jinx the boy, but like the cut of Gill's jib. Looks to have a good grasp of his game for a tyro, seems to have that extra fraction of a second of time that denotes class and a nice economy of movement.

 

[Gob]

How long before this starts

Look who is trying to sneak in to the meeting room