***Official*** England in India

[LFD]

Yes he is a batsman, he may not be a batsman you rate particularly highly (shrewdly reading between the lines) but his primary discipline is with the bat.

Well everyone bats, but I'd call him an all rounder as his batting average isn't anything to write home about.

What does that say about James Taylor, then, who bats below him for Nottinghamshire?

He shouldn't do!

 

[Woodster]

Well everyone bats, but I'd call him an all rounder as his batting average isn't anything to write home about.

He averages just under 40 in first-class cricket with the bat and the ball, that would suggest he is a better batsman than bowler. I'm not suggesting he is one of the finest batsmen around, but what isn't in doubt is what his primary discipline is.

 

[Woodster]

Apart from the usual points of interest in watching England on the sub-continent I'm especially looking forward to seeing how our new opener Compton goes, how Patel fares with both bat and ball, whether our attack retains its controlled and disciplined lines and lengths, a swashbuckling KP innings a la his last century against SA, and so many other things. Can Swann prove his worth against a side that play spin so well ?

 

[Pup Clarke]

Fantasy team in - hopefully Yuvi can get a big one as he's in as skipper.

 

[LFD]

Apart from the usual points of interest in watching England on the sub-continent I'm especially looking forward to seeing how our new opener Compton goes, how Patel fares with both bat and ball, whether our attack retains its controlled and disciplined lines and lengths, a swashbuckling KP innings a la his last century against SA, and so many other things. Can Swann prove his worth against a side that play spin so well ?

Certainly looking forward to seeing how the batting gets on, especially Compton as debutant.

Be interesting to see the leadership from Cook as captain, as it is going to be a tough series.

Obviously see how the team react with KP, although I think that will be fine.

Swann is due a big series and he has to deliver on surfaces that he needs to exploit - he is meant to be one of the best spinners in the world - he has to prove it!

 

[S Chanderpaul]

What does that say about James Taylor, then, who bats below him for Nottinghamshire?

Umpire.

Not sure why people think Patel is a bad fielder either, he's always in the main fielding positions for Notts.

H's been decent for England as well, dropped one easy chance from what I remember, but who hasn't?

"big lad, must be a **** fielder"

 

[Woodster]

Certainly looking forward to seeing how the batting gets on, especially Compton as debutant.

Be interesting to see the leadership from Cook as captain, as it is going to be a tough series.

Obviously see how the team react with KP, although I think that will be fine.

Swann is due a big series and he has to deliver on surfaces that he needs to exploit - he is meant to be one of the best spinners in the world - he has to prove it!

Yes be interesting to see how Cook goes now he has been installed as the full-time captain. Obviously he's going to have to develop on the job, but we may get some insights into the type of skipper he is hoping to be.

 

[Woodster]

Umpire.

Not sure why people think Patel is a bad fielder either, he's always in the main fielding positions for Notts.

H's been decent for England as well, dropped one easy chance from what I remember, but who hasn't?

"big lad, must be a **** fielder"

Let's be fair, I'm not sure Faf du Plessis needs to worry too much about Patel's athleticism!He's a steady fielder, but he isn't going to be quick to the ball or agile enough to be throwing himself about at backward point, but I agree he isn't a liability in the field.

 

[Viscount Tom]

Tbf Gatting packed some weight but he was a pretty decent fielder by all accounts.

 

[LFD]

No one has criticised Patel in the field for what I have read on here.

It is his batting and bowling that's the issue!

 

[Cevno]

Gonna be so pissed if Ahmedabad produces another road.

Should be banned from hosting a international match for a while if they do, imo.

 

[Cevno]

England in India 2012-13 : Media boycott threatened over BCCI photographry stance | Cricket News | India v England | ESPN Cricinfo

Ah the BCCI being pleasant as usual....

 

[Jono]

Man, if this means less Kohli photos I will be shattered.

 

[Viscount Tom]

Man, if this means less Kohli photos I will be shattered.

Bizarrely I knew that was going to be your reaction.

 

[morgieb]

Just came across this stat - India has not lost an home test series for eight and a half years since last beaten by the all conquering Australians in 2004. I know this might not be an all-time record or anything but it's an amazing feat for a test nation which not only plays a solid amount of test cricket but also one which has been for most of those nine years one with many glaring loopholes.

Looking forward to catching the start tomorrow, Can only watch three days after which I have to fly to Delhi and then work begins for the next 30 days and the Supreme Court lawyer under whom I am working told me that he has three ground rules - 1. There are no timings in litigation, 2. There are no sundays in litigation, 3. There are no sick leaves in litigation. Sounds very fun.

Not that awesome - India has always been a nightmare for touring sides.

 

[Furball]

Is anyone interested in my avatar bet at all or are you all mouth and no trousers?

 

[Jono]

1. Is your avatar even available? Haven't you lost it forever for your Pakistan vs. England series arrogance?
2. If not, I'm happy to play. What are the deets?

 

[Jono]

I should also note that my avatar is only available from January (thanks to my tennis arrogance and Federer ****ing me over), but I think the series doesn't finish too much before than anyway.

 

[Furball]

1. Is your avatar even available? Haven't you lost it forever for your Pakistan vs. England series arrogance?
2. If not, I'm happy to play. What are the deets?

Avatar's available from the 21st (?) December. I'll double check the Pakistan thread at some point.

Same bet I gave ripper in the last Ashes, and biased indian last time the teams played:

Avatar bet: whoever has the most points wins

Rules: 2 points per test win
1 point for whichever country has the most centurions over the course of the series
1 point for whichever country has the highest wicket taker over the course of the series
1 point for series win
.5 for Highest scorer each match
.5 highest wicket taker each match

Duration stipulation: 6 months initially. Let's say I win the bet. If at the end of the 6 months, England are ranked ahead of India, then I still own your avatar. You don't get your avatar back until either a) India are ranked ahead of England, or b) India regain the Pataudi trophy.

FTR, whilst I didn't include the Pataudi Trophy stipulation in my bet with biased indian, it wasn't until the series actually started that I realised there was a trophy at stake. If India win this series then my bet with him is over.

 

[Furball]

Get my avatar back on the 21st of December.

It was GIMP who lost his for 4 years.