**Official** Australia in India Thread

[Jono]

Kaif got back in. The Indian selectors have obviously realised that Patel is a great batsmen, and has the temperament to be a quality test player. However he has obvious flaws with his wicket keeping.

I can't really see why he wouldn't get back into the team if he remained a good batsmen, and his keeping improved exceptionally. Unless his replacement keeper perfromed brilliantly with bat and gloves, you'd think he'd get right back in.

 

[Dydl]

If the replacement keeper performed like Gilchrist at his peak, Patel wouldn't get back in, but that is unlikely.

 

[marc71178]

Great 50 from Kaif, I'm so proud of him

I would probably use the term "lucky" rather than "great"

But then again, when your luck is in, you do have to make the most of it.

 

[marc71178]

Bring in more technology and that would automatically make everyone more honest...I believe.

Why would it?

As it stands, in the last couple of years, we've seen most fielders are honest and say they either didn't take it cleanly (or that they don't know if they did or not)

How can they be made more honest?

 

[Dydl]

Yeah. At least he only got 64 even though he retired hurt.

 

[marc71178]

Do you think they would become more honest because if they were trying to convince the umpire something was out and the ump went to 3rd and the fielder was proved wrong his reputation would be ruined or something like that?

How would that change from the current situation (where if someone's been dishonest, it doesn't take long for TV commentators to bring it to our attention)

 

[Dydl]

Don't know.

 

[marc71178]

Yes. I think the English' coach (Fletcher's) proposal of giving each side the right to appeal 3 decisions/innings (or something like that) is a great start. If you read it in detail it makes so much sense.

Erm, not really it doesn't.

What happens when there's bad call after all 3 have been used?

Where's the sense in that?

There is no point in ruining a perfectly great cricket match by generating controversy over some decisions that the no human could possibly adjudicate with any confidence.

And what about when the technology cannot adjudicate either?

How many replays do you use to get the decision?

I seem to remember that over here C4 have taken an hour or more to get the definitive answer on some decisions...

I just think it's criminal for the old fogies at the ICC to not level the playing field and make it easier for umpires and players by using more technology. It's plain dumb to just say that incorrect decisions will always be part of cricket.

Well, how will technology help? It will still have incorrect decisions, and contrary to popular belief, it still is nowhere near as accurate as it needs to be to be brought in.

 

[marc71178]

Grrr.......why are the Aussies prolonging Patel's free ride? The longer he stays, the more the opposition will benefit.

Yes, they clearly benefit from the runs he scores against them

 

[marc71178]

Havent the batsmen in fact saved the umpires from some more criticism (at least from the aggrieved parties) since the action replayes would show most of these decisions to be wrong anyway ?

So, please tell us how you know the umpire wouldn't have given the man out?

If he walks to avoid the decision having to be made then there's no way you can use it as a reason to attack the umpire for making a bad decision.

 

[Dydl]

But it is better than our technology used.

 

[SJS]

So, please tell us how you know the umpire wouldn't have given the man out?

I dont know .

Maybe the umpire WOULD have given him out. But then how can that be termed as dissent. I presume walking is being called 'dissent' by those who are THEMSELVES assuming that it is 'against' (dissent) what the umpires decision is !!

 

[marc71178]

His batting is nothing special, and not of top-6 quality.

He's not being asked to be a number 6 batsman though.

You really can't give it up can you?

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.

It's not just about the big shots, and you're just getting boring now - they are not, and almost certainly (definitely in Harbhajan's case) be all rounders.

I notice that nobody from England suggests we do the same with Hoggard or Giles, yet their recent records are easily the equal of the 2 you seem to think are so good.

It amazes me you criticise Patel (average 32.47) but worship Harbhajan (average 13.83) and Pathan (average 25.42 so far, but after so few games, his FC average - which is way below that - still has something to say)

And another point on the no-pressure situations, are you going to try and tell us that the one 50 Pathan has scored in Tests was an under-pressure knock?

 

[Dydl]

It is their choice if they want to walk, they are giving their own wicket away. They wouldn't have done it if they thought they weren't out and were given not out.

 

[marc71178]

That said, the umpiring is a huge huge concern in this series. Atleast the players are covering for the umpires somewhat.

The umpires clearly are doomed then, they're onw getting criticised for making the wrong decision when they don't even do anything!

 

[marc71178]

Like Dean Jones said, common sense should prevail because dehydration is just as serious as cramp or any other injury.

Lets face it, he would know more about this than most!

 

[SJS]

You really can't give it up can you?

I suggest you give up, Marc.

 

[marc71178]

I don't give a hoot about this batting - his main job is WK.

Yet the names people bandy about to replace him are all being mentioned because of their batting abilities

 

[Deja moo]

The umpires clearly are doomed then, they're onw getting criticised for making the wrong decision when they don't even do anything!

What about Shephard and Kasprowicz ?

 

[Dydl]

The umpires clearly are doomed then, they're onw getting criticised for making the wrong decision when they don't even do anything!

They do do something, they give the wrong decision.