That is what I was asking. I realize that the side batting second is penalized by having to score more runs but I do think that it also has the advantage of knowing that it is unlikely to get bowled out in 20-25 overs so the batsmen can really go for the target from the beginning.
Agree with this. I think his keeping on this tour has been very, very good. First class stuff - can hardly remember him making a mistake tbh.
ya agree completly..now he have to score some good runs in test also..then he is a complete package i think
His keeping has been solid but his batting has left a lot to be desired in the tests away from the subcontinent, so far at least......
Personally, I'd rather have a good solid keeper than a Dhoni-esque batsman in Test cricket. If he can score 30s and 40s regularly, and learn how to bat with the tail for long period (which he isn't good at now), I'm perfectly fine with an average of 28-35.His keeping has been solid but his batting has left a lot to be desired in the tests away from the subcontinent, so far at least......
I hope his batting kinda going down and his keeping improving are not related and I hope he can get going as a batsman again in test cricket soon..
The thing about him though, is that his batting is so explosive. To that extent, even if he averages aroud the 35 mark in tests (quite acceptable for a keeper really), in doing so he will from time to time play some really telling, attacking innings.
Good line up. Dilshan/Sanga either one opening would be better than Tharanga/Perera, I suppose it comes down to which of the two actually wants to open. I agree about Welegedara, he swings it and bowls in the 140 - ie. everything that Kulasekara cannot do.
Is Amersinghe certain to miss out...I would still try and get another Batsmen in to the squad because despite the bounce at the WACA the Indian spinners did reasonably well in the Test and SL batting being the way it is , I would try and give Perera a go, in the hope of strengthening the batting line up.
Find it hard to think that anyone's bowling better than Lee right now. Steyn may come close, but Lee is head and shoulders atm.
I doubt you'd find many to disagree with that but Srinath was patently stating he's the best which is just crazy talk. Right up there with Laxman's statement saying India 'dominated' Australia in the Tests.
Laxman's comment isn't as far off the mark as Sanath's is. Apart from the first test and the last over in the 2nd India did have the upper hand.
You reckon? Even if you're correct, it's hardly 'domination' but my perception was that the MCG test was all Australia, the SCG Test was marginally Australia (India did bowl well in the Aussie first knock but not in the second and batted very poorly in their second knock), WACA all India and Adelaide pretty much even. It was a close series but you expect that between these two sides and, for mine, Australia were ahead at the end of the series.
I didn't say that Laxman was 100% correct, but that his remarks were closer to the truth than Srinath. I thought the Sydney test was pretty even, and it was only the miracle in the last over that Australia won. As you said Perth was all India and I think India were in control for most of the last test.
Honestly I don't know how you come to that conclusion when their first innings scores were almost identical (Australia almost 40 runs more, even), neither side really had the other in trouble due to the ridiculously flat deck and India, were it not for Sehwag, would have been in real trouble in their second dig.
I had a few drinks during that test match, wich could be the reason I came to that conclusion.
Not sure how you got that... For me, Sydney and Adelaide were even and Melbourne was all Australia and Perth was all India.... Neither team can claim to have been better, for me.. It was almost dead even.
And it would seem I'd been drinking if you read my post again, especially this sentence;
I only rate Sydney as slightly in Australia's favour because of how poorly India batted in their second dig. Aside from that it was pretty tight. Honestly, not being able to save a Test with 7 wickets in hand and losing 3 in the last over to a part-timer? Australia did exactly that in second Test 2001 and were rightly pillored.
