*Official* Australia in India 2010

[Jono]

Good knock by North.

Not that surprising though, once he got a start a good innings was on.

Good thing for Australia in this match, these are vital runs. However I doubt he'll get dropped now for a very long time.

 

[vcs]

We're going to struggle to get any sort of result here unless we get a Sehwag special.

 

[social]

North starting to wind it up here - shame he's such a poor starter as he's absolute quality when he gets in

 

[pasag]

Lol. You at home?

Watching from a family lunch

Yeah, doing prep work for a tute tomorrow. Hard to not watch though.

 

[Spark]

North going for it.... I'm starting to warm to him haha

He's a fine player past 20. Very difficult to get out, has all the shots, and isn't afraid to play them either. It's the pre-20 bit that's the issue.

The Indian bowlers have been crap though. Far too many nothing balls interspersed with rank long-hops which have been ruthlessly dealt with. Not to mention extraordinarily defensive captaincy to boot.

 

[Jono]

North starting to wind it up here - shame he's such a poor starter as he's absolute quality when he gets in

Yeah, definitely attractive to watch.

 

[Ruckus]

Good knock by North.

Not that surprising though, once he got a start a good innings was on.

Good thing for Australia in this match, these are vital runs. However I doubt he'll get dropped now for a very long time.

If North can maintain his 50% chance of getting a century after passing 20 runs (or whatever it was), then I don't see a problem in keeping him, but only if, the higher order (Hussey, Ponting etc.) can sort out their problems.

 

[Spark]

That's a quality shot there. He has played very well today against Zaheer, one loose shot excepted.

 

[vcs]

Super shot.

 

[Jono]

Gorgeous batting

Border and Blewett back on the Fox Sports panel!

Brendan Julian gone!

Good result.

 

[outbreak]

North needs to get more consistent for me. This is what he always does. One good knock then months of nothing while everyone moans he should be dropped, when it finally looks likely to happen another good innings. He won't be dropped now so let's see how he does in the ashes and if he can actually continue his form for once. Paine looks pretty nice aswell will be hoping he can keep going today.

 

[Contra]

Yeah India need some good batting + rain to save this game. Can't see em winning from here.

 

[Spark]

Jon: "Forget Hartley...Matthew Wade from Victoria is a far better gloveman and coming into his own as a bat but haddin will come back in for Ashes, he's from NSW" Ah the good-old Nsw bias eh!

Laurie: "at James: Hartley was actually the top scoring keeper in SS in 2009/10. He got 827 runs (avge 48) to Ronchi's 716 (avge 47), and Hartley was named Player of the Tournament as well. Based on overall career record, though, Ronchi edges Hartley (avge 36 to 31). Both are outstanding keepers, and both should feel aggrieved that Paine has got the inside running on a test place based on a bit of one-day form."

Geez, more harshness on cricinfo. Maybe Paine was lucky to get the shot but you can't say he hasn't performed once he got it.

 

[andyc]

God dammit Marcus North. Get out of the Test team already.

 

[Jono]

If North can maintain his 50% chance of getting a century after passing 20 runs (or whatever it was), then I don't see a problem in keeping him, but only if, the higher order (Hussey, Ponting etc.) can sort out their problems.

Too big an 'if' for mine.

 

[Spark]

Hmm. Paine needs to settle down here. Three pretty poor shots in a row.

 

[Burgey]

Sreesanth with the John P. McEnroe circa Wimbledon 1981-style headband here.

Hrs all over the place like a mad woman's **** here. Really mixing some decent ones with filth.

 

[Ruckus]

North needs to get more consistent for me. This is what he always does. One good knock then months of nothing while everyone moans he should be dropped, when it finally looks likely to happen another good innings. He won't be dropped now so let's see how he does in the ashes and if he can actually continue his form for once. Paine looks pretty nice aswell will be hoping he can keep going today.

Well if you look at North's batting graph HowSTAT! Player Batting Graph his playing patterns are actually pretty consistent (i.e. century, then a few innings of nothing, then another century etc.). I don't see a problem with that style of playing if Hussey, Ponting and Clarke can begin to score consistently (because that would make a collapse less likely). Its just when these players aren't scoring consistently which makes North's style of play dangerous, because it leaves the team open to a massive collapse like the 70ish-all out against Pakistan recently.

 

[Burgey]

It's official. Zaheer wears a girdle.

 

[Jono]

When do those centuries occur, and when do those failings occur?

No doubt this knock is a vital one, and has come at a crucial time. But that's not normally the Marcus North way.