**Official** Australia in India Thread

[Jono]

Patel now dropped Hayden twice, although the second opportunity of Kumble was tough, still Hayden should of been out. This could prove costly.

Reminds me of Patel's missed stumping off Kartik in the 4th test at Sydney.

 

[shaka]

Australia had an unusually bad day in the catching department, with 5 or so drop catches throughout the day

 

[Dydl]

An unusually bad day in the field.

 

[TendulkarFan]

When will the Indian think tank learn? Patel might have just cost the Indians the game (and perhaps a shot at winning the series) by letting Hayden off twice. Hayden is one scary dude...if he gets going, I have no doubt that Aussies will set India a target of 250+ for the last innings.

 

[shaka]

yeh, wicketkeeper included

 

[Dydl]

Dropped twice- as they say 'catches win matches'. Which could be about to happen if the result goes the Australian's way.

 

[TendulkarFan]

His batting is nothing special, and not of top-6 quality. Even yesterday, he was dropped twice. The bowling was also quite bad, as they didn't bowl straight enough. The fielding was also quite awful. Whenever he has crossed 50, he has been given quite a few chances, by drops, no-balls and dodgy decisions. Out of the 4 half-centuries he has made, 2 were made in easy conditions, and didn't matter much.

If Patel and Agarkar can get so many chances as batsmen, why not Pathan and Harbhajan? They have the big shots, and can bat a lot better than what their averages suggest. They can also find places in the team with another skill.

Newsflash: Agarkar is out of the side currently. And whenever he does get picked, he gets picked as a bowler who can bat.

As for Patel, he has been given chances and has capitalized on them. You can't be serious comparing Harbhajan to Patel. You don't need the big shots to succeed in tests (see Yuvraj Singh) but a combination of good technique, solid defence and a decent array of safe shots. Patel is more accomplished as a test batsman than Harbhajan could ever dream to be.

 

[shaka]

Patel has proven his worth as a mid to lower order batsman. He is however a better keeper compared to Rahul Dravid

 

[Dydl]

He is better than Dravid, but even if Dravid was the keeper replacing Patel, he wouldn't be very happy. Because Dravid hates keeping.

 

[Waughney]

Langer out. 1/53.

 

[shaka]

I thought Dravid did not mind keeping and that he was willing to. I did not know he hated keeping.

 

[Waughney]

Gilchrist comes to the crease....

 

[shaka]

Gilchrist promoted himself to number 3

 

[tooextracool]

Infact I think Kaspa was underbowled. When Lehmann came on to bowl, he had nothing, don't think he would have troubled McGrath.

oh kaspa bowled well alright, but i object to bowling pace from both ends, given that the wicket was offering the spinners a lot more than what it was for the pacers.

 

[Dydl]

Wonder why he did that. I have always thought that he was really good lower down in the order in tests. He could have made a big mistake. On the other hand, it could win the match for Australia?!

 

[tooextracool]

Yeh I agree that Lehmann should not have come on to bowl, they needed another 'quality' spinner, like Stuart MacGill. I am amazed he was not picked for the tour.

They should have had Warne bowling.

no lehmann is not a quality bowler, but you have yo use your options, if hes your 2nd best spinner in the side then use him, at least when you need to break a partnership. not like his bowling average in the low 20s suggests that hes a poor bowler either.
and frankly macgill isnt anywhere near 'quality', hes average, and if warne bowls the exact same thing that he does, except better hes a real waste in the side especially if he cant keep things tight.

 

[shaka]

lets see if his bold move pays off

 

[Mister Wright]

This is not a free ride. It is very well earned and not the first toime for Patel too. Free ride is what Yuvraj gets from his skipper !

Patel has shown that while he does not deserve a place in this Indian side as a keeper, he should be prefered above many others, Yuvraj included, as a test batsman.

He has the game (for test matches), the head and the heart for the real battle unlike the 'stroke players' that please the front rows

Would you sugest opening with Patel and finding another keeper?

 

[shaka]

wonder if it will pay off. He wants to lead from the front (in a way)

 

[Waughney]

Gilchrist edges for four. Hopefully the risk pays off, Australia needs it to.