***Official England in India***

[Precambrian]

At least one of the three(?) chances in that innings was a rank sitter.

Which one?

 

[Richard]

I can't remember off the top of my head, but I don't remember the Saqlain one at long-on (the most difficult of the three) being particularly tricky.

 

[tooextracool]

Wow poor bowling change.

 

[Richard]

Yeah if you can start with spin against Flintoff it's a huge advantage. Really odd to bring back a seamer. Mind, Sharma has only bowled 3 overs so far and he's got to get some more in before long else he won't get through 10.

 

[Stapel]

Well, 157/3 after 30 overs. That's quite good from an English perspective. Let's see how they screw this up .

Otoh, there's always something to the idea of Pietersen & Flintoff together on the pitch.

 

[Precambrian]

Wow poor bowling change.

Makes sense considering Ishant has 7 overs in the tank.

 

[Richard]

Haha, and sure enough, Ishant gets Flintoff 3rd ball.

 

[tooextracool]

Guess Dhoni knew something that we didnt. Probably a good thing that Flintoff was out though, dont see him doing much in this sort of situation anyways.

 

[Richard]

Or he picked lucky. Guess we'll never be able to say for sure. Either way, Shah finally gets to the crease. Wonder what we'll get from him now, still nearly 20 overs left.

 

[Richard]

Very odd indeed to now bring Yuvraj back on with Harbhajan having just 2 to bowl. Harbhajan at the new man could easily have got through his last couple of overs for just 4 or 5 runs; he'll be expensive if he comes back later on.

 

[Precambrian]

Wow poor bowling change.

 

[tooextracool]

Probably wants to get done with Yuvraj before England decide to use the Power Play. Harbhajan is a much better bowler in the death than Yuvraj and most spinners going around.

 

[Precambrian]

Very odd indeed to now bring Yuvraj back on with Harbhajan having just 2 to bowl. Harbhajan at the new man could easily have got through his last couple of overs for just 4 or 5 runs; he'll be expensive if he comes back later on.

No, Harby needs to be used during batting PP.

 

[Richard]

Harbhajan has been smacked in Powerplays and 22-over games so far this series, and has been exceptional in the "normal" overs.

 

[tooextracool]

Shahs technique against pace looks really dodgy, doesnt get his front foot out far enough to play the drive. Really does not bode well for his chances in test match cricket.

 

[Richard]

Always makes me and simualtaneously when you get an edge for four and a perfectly timed drive for none.

 

[tooextracool]

Harbhajan has been smacked in Powerplays and 22-over games so far this series, and has been exceptional in the "normal" overs.

Its not about protecting his figures, its about doing whats best for the team. Whether Harbhajan is likely to get smacked in the PP's is irrelevant, hes still less likely to do so than Yuvraj.

 

[Precambrian]

Its not about protecting his figures, its about doing whats best for the team. Whether Harbhajan is likely to get smacked in the PP's is irrelevant, hes still less likely to do so than Yuvraj.

Spot on.

 

[Richard]

The point is that Yuvraj can be smacked any time; Harbhajan is very difficult to hit in non-Powerplay and it's best for the team to take advantage of that. What's best for the player is also best for the team, because if a player does well it benefits his team.

And of course Yuvraj now concedes just 1 that over.

 

[tooextracool]

Theres really no logic behind what you are saying Richard.