***Official*** Australia in India 2017

[OverratedSanity]

Some candidates would be:

Clive Lloyd in 1974: 636 runs @ 79.50 in 5 tests, two 100s, one 50, top score of 242*
Mike Gatting in 1984: 575 runs @ 95.83 in 5 tests, two 100s, one 50, top score of 207
Alistair Cook in 2012: 562 runs @ 80.28 in 4 tests, three 100s, top score of 190
Matthew Hayden in 2001: 549 runs @ 109.80 in 3 tests, two 100s, two 50s, top score of 203
Andy Flower in 2000: 540 runs @ 270 in 2 tests, two 100s, two 50s, top score of 232*
Hashim Amla in 2010: 490 runs @ 490 in 2 tests, three 100s, top score of 253*
Younis Khan in 2005: 508 runs @ 101.60 in 3 tests, two 100s, one 50, top score of 267

Weekes and Sobers also had huge 5 test series in the 40s and 50s respectively, 779 @ 111.28 for Weekes with four 100s and 557 @ 92.83 for Sobers with three 100s. But India probably not the same force at home at that point that they are today.

Smith so far has 446 @ 89.20 with two 100s and one 50. So somewhere in that pack, tough conditions for two tests but easier runs since then. Better than average Indian attack overall I'd say, even if Ashwin hasn't been at his best.

The only series on that list I've really watched the whole way through is the one with Hayden, and I think Smith's performance this series has been better than Hayden's.

Been a great showcase for his ability in different kinds of conditions. Hundred on a rank turner followed by one on a low and slow deck and now on one with pace and early help for the quicks.

 

[harsh.ag]

Kuldeep bowling some pretty pies here

Should have gone for 16, this over. Nice ball to end it with though.

 

[Daemon]

Finally some luck. Marsh played that pretty poorly though.

 

[indiaholic]

Yesssssssss!!!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Man that's a lame way to get out. Just a weird, awkward shot.

 

[Burgey]

Pretty soft dismissal that, just bounced a wee bit.

Lol, you reckon Warner's was soft. ****ing Marsh. Seriously, needs o start on 15 not. Shits me so bad.

 

[vcs]

Strangled down the legside. I'll take it.

Need Smith though.

 

[Compton]

Some people seem to think Marsh should retain his spot over Khawaja in Australian conditions.

Baffling.

 

[indiaholic]

Strangled down the legside. I'll take it.

Need Smith though.

Not going to happen.. Hope we can just limit the runs he scores and get the other guys out.

 

[Contra]

Getting Smith out now would be huge.

 

[indiaholic]

Kuldeep seems like a limited overs specialist tbh.

 

[Daemon]

Kuldeep seems like a limited overs specialist tbh.

Just because he has variations? Lazy analysis, lift your game m8.

 

[Contra]

Kuldeep seems like a limited overs specialist tbh.

Can see him being a handful on spinning wickets tbh.

 

[harsh.ag]

This is gonna be Marsh's last test, right? RIGHT??

 

[Victor Ian]

Marsh! My head just exploded. Worst ****ing bat to have played for Austrlaia forever. At least other **** ****s get dropped but this mother ****er just keeps getting picked and keeps being ****ing **** piece of ****ing crap. In fact he is more than a piece of **** - he is the complete ****!

 

[OverratedSanity]

He saved you the previous test ffs. Leave him alone.

 

[Burgey]

Hope peter uses his hands to bat

 

[indiaholic]

Just because he has variations? Lazy analysis, lift your game m8.

Seems like the older version of Jadeja. Agree with Contra that he may be useful with more help.

 

[Victor Ian]

No he didn't. We still had Maxwell. In fact someone omniscient could probably tell you that Marsh kept Maxwell from scoring a century and then going on to be the 3rd best Australian batsman ever.

 

[harsh.ag]

That kept low out of nowhere!