**Official** Australia in India Thread

[age_master]

I wonder what would have happened if that were Australia playing Australia A?

lol, after what happened in the ODI series a number of years ago i dont think that the selectors will be too keen to try that one again.

 

[masterblaster]

A very nice Warnie interview. He discusses everything from Naan Bread and Vegemite to Sachin Tendulkar.

Nice read!

Read it here:

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10961611-23212,00.html

 

[tooextracool]

Hmm Katich at no 3 - a sign of things to come?

katich is better off at 6...its gilchrist at 3 that sounds like a good idea. get him in when the ball is hard and new and when the seamers are operating.

 

[viktor]

katich is better off at 6...its gilchrist at 3 that sounds like a good idea. get him in when the ball is hard and new and when the seamers are operating.

captaincy, wicketkeeping and one-drop! isn't that a really heavy work load??

 

[Mr Casson]

captaincy, wicketkeeping and one-drop! isn't that a really heavy work load??

Gilchrist said he realized early on in the tour match that it was going to be way too hard for him to play at first-drop, on top of everything else.

However, he said if the situation calls for it, he might come in at #3.

 

[marc71178]

I think it would benefit the team, but would it be better to then pick a keeper to bat 7 and have Gilly just skipper and bat 3?

 

[krishneelz]

i disagree marc. Clarke or hodge should bat at three

 

[Arjun]

Because it is that easy to do against McGrath and co isn't it?

Still, those 2 should be batting in the top 6 for the next 5 years, just in case one of them belies their current records to become and all rounder

Not both of them. And not in the top 6, but 7 and 8. They should just see off McGrath and Gillespie, but attack the other bowlers.

the tailenders can swing their bats around more effectively....

Not swing their bats, but bat intelligently. They should go out there with the intention of scoring 50 or more at a brisk pace, be it in big shots or in singles. That number 7 position is wide open, so they should grab it, since they're more effective.

 

[Arjun]

The key players for India will be Sachin, Laxman and Dravid, with the bat and Kumble with the ball. The top 3 Test batsmen in the side have to bat through the innings and build large partnerships, since that is the Australians' weakness- they don't like large partnerships much. Despite Harbhajan's success in 2001, Kumble is more seasoned and is the best bet.

The dark horses will be Harbhajan and Sehwag. Harbhajan has played a little and had a horrific last Test against the Australians, but his improved performance today will give him an advantage. The 20 runs or more he scores will also count, though he should convert them. Sehwag has had a horrific run of form, but when he strikes, he can strike hard. Pathan may not have too many wickets a match, but he can improve on that, and even the runs he scores will be vital. Chopra may not have made too many, but he might just get it this time.

The Australians are a superior fielding side, so any team playing them will have to be very good on the field, but the Indian team has three weak links in Ganguly, Zaheer and Parthiv. Ganguly's batting form (or lack of it against pace) notwithstanding, he still can't stop a rolling ball! Parthiv takes five catches, then drops two, and he hasn't made to many stumpings qhen he gets the chances- that makes him a weak link behind the stumps. Will Zaheer stay fit throughout the series? We may never know! Nor can anyone predict what Agarkar will bowl, but it won't be anything great.

 

[Mister Wright]

i disagree marc. Clarke or hodge should bat at three

No, Katich is a number three for his state, Clarke is a rookie in first class experience terms, and usually bats at 5 or 6. & Hodge is more a 4 or 5 batsman.

People are really building up Clarke's chances of success on this tour, I hope he proves you guys right for Australia's sake.

 

[Mister Wright]

First Test pitch 'terrible': Buchanan

First Test pitch 'terrible': Buchanan

 

[Andre]

katich is better off at 6...

No he's not. His whole FC career has been at number 3 - he's certainly up to the job, and infact I think he will thrive.

 

[garage flower]

Nor can anyone predict what Agarkar will bowl, but it won't be anything great.

Isn't that a prediction?!

I'd say that the key is whether or not India's bowling attack is able to consistently trouble the Aussies. They couldn't during the series in Australia, but the good batting tracks, weakened Aussie bowling and generally superb batting from Laxman, Dravid, Sehwag et al enabled India to get a result.

This time, with India's top batsmen appearing to be in less than all-conquering form and the Aussie attack back to full strength, I'd guess that they'll be able to restrict India to manageable totals. For me it's a question of whether the Indian bowlers can do the same to Australia.

 

[ReallyCrazy]

im sure this is what i'll look like

Hayden
Langer
Hodge
Martyn
Katich
Clarke
Gilchrist
Warne
Gillespie
Kasprowicz
McGrath

 

[Mister Wright]

im sure this is what i'll look like

Hayden
Langer
Hodge
Martyn
Katich
Clarke
Gilchrist
Warne
Gillespie
Kasprowicz
McGrath

No Lehmann.

If anyone tries to tell me that Either of Hodge, Katich or Clarke are better than Lehmann you can wrap me up in pita bread and call me a kebab!

 

[Neil Pickup]

Isn't Lehmann out?

 

[Mister Wright]

Isn't Lehmann out?

Not as far as I know, he arrived later than the team due to family illness, but I haven't heard anything where he won't be playing.

 

[Mr Casson]

Lehmann was supposed to either leave or arrive on the 30th of September. He's definitely playing.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Ah right. Good news for the Aussies, then. Obviously, Hayden and Langer will open the batting and the bowling attack will be as it was in the 1997 Texaco Trophy (Warne, Kasper, Gillespie and McGrath). Gilchrist will take the gloves so that just leaves four places to fill in the middle order, of which Martyn and Lehmann are assured 4 & 5.

That leaves 3 & 6 open, and from indications of warm-ups (i.e. Clarke opening against Mumbai second time round), he's in line to play - probably at six - with Katich slotting into first drop.

 

[Mister Wright]

Ah right. Good news for the Aussies, then. Obviously, Hayden and Langer will open the batting and the bowling attack will be as it was in the 1997 Texaco Trophy (Warne, Kasper, Gillespie and McGrath). Gilchrist will take the gloves so that just leaves four places to fill in the middle order, of which Martyn and Lehmann are assured 4 & 5.

That leaves 3 & 6 open, and from indications of warm-ups (i.e. Clarke opening against Mumbai second time round), he's in line to play - probably at six - with Katich slotting into first drop.

You're a smart man Neil. I think the only debate will be who gets the 12th man duties.