***Official*** India in Australia 2014-5

[weldone]

Somebody tell Monga to shut his self righteous can. **** writer with some balls but now he's becoming a royal pissant.

Yes Monga has his problems. But I think he's a decent writer when he's not disappointed by something.

 

[weldone]

Haha, at times you just have to love Dhoni.

"Yeah, actually that was the case," Dhoni joked, "Virat used a knife and he stabbed Shikhar. When he recovered out of that we pushed him out to bat. These are all stories. Marvel and Warner bros should pick them up and make a movie out of it."

 

[Gnske]

Quite happy with the chosen squad although not sure that Smarsh should be there.

With regard to the crappy, cringeworthy commentary on ch9, I wonder how much of it is due to the network's hierachy insisting on a certain amount of hype being thrown into the mix. Integrity is not something the brainstrust at 9 can spell let alone implement. In Kerry Packer's era they were number one. Now they're sickening so it's fair to assume some of their disingenuous, tacky, hyped-up style has rubbed off on the commentary team. Mark Nicholas is the helmsman for Christ's sake!!

They need to throw in all of that for the younger demographic, also so Slater and Lee can make blatant advertisements every day. The last test Slats drew the final straw after interviewing Craig McDermott he said something to the effect of

Yes well this match has been a pleasure to watch and you know what else is a pleasure to watch? The new Disney(tm) movie BIG PLEB 6, get a bucket of kfc and farmers union and sit down and watch it after the cricket.

 

[GotSpin]

Oh boy. So bad

 

[dognutz]

Yeah, it's nice to get some cricket with your advertising - you want fries with that?

 

[dognutz]

Just noticed the weather report for Melbourne - top of 18 with some showers.

 

[howardj]

Complements of the season to you all gentlemen and to any ladies

The weather is very much set fair

The air is pregnant with anticipation

Let's hope we're in for a thrilling denoument

 

[the big bambino]

Bhuvi weather for mine.

 

[dognutz]

Given that this match may well not go 5 days and therefore batting last quite possibly not a major disadvantage, do you bowl first and use the cool conditions as best you can or look for runs in the bank?

 

[vic_orthdox]

Best day of the year.

 

[weldone]

Just from a psychological PoV, I'd take bowling first if I was in place of Dhoni. Firstly, I'll fancy my chances against this Aussie batting line-up and secondly, even a good first day with the bat won't fill the Indians with enormous amount of confidence (because of Brisbane memories) but a good first day with the ball most certainly will.

 

[Pratters]

Absolutely bad idea Weldone. If you let Australia bat first, and they pile on the runs, Indians are done for. Bat first, hope to make runs is the way to go really. Particularly considering our batting is less weak than our bowling.

 

[howardj]

Boxing Day jousts, at least in recent years, rarely go the distance

My favourite, probably showing my age here, is v Windies in 1992

Border and MWaugh partnership against bowling royalty

Then Warnie announced himself on the last day

 

[dognutz]

It's a tough call because Johnno on a cool day can really charge in with the MCG crowd egging him on.....could be ugly for India.

 

[howardj]

MCG is less toss-sensitive (new term!) than most grounds

It's such a theatre on Boxing Day

Been lucky enough to have attended three times

 

[dognutz]

Boxing Day jousts, at least in recent years, rarely go the distance

My favourite, probably showing my age here, is v Windies in 1992

Border and MWaugh partnership against bowling royalty

Then Warnie announced himself on the last day

Your in good company ole fella
I was at the G to witness Sehwag make 195 on day 1 only to get out late in the day. Lee was charging in full steam backed up by Warnie and both were treated with disdain. Balls were rocketing to the fence - some knock.

 

[weldone]

It's a tough call because Johnno on a cool day can really charge in with the MCG crowd egging him on.....could be ugly for India.

MCG is less toss-sensitive (new term!) than most grounds
..

Yes, absolutely right

 

[Cabinet96]

Boxing Day jousts, at least in recent years, rarely go the distance

My favourite, probably showing my age here, is v Windies in 1992

Border and MWaugh partnership against bowling royalty

Then Warnie announced himself on the last day

There have been some good ones recently. Pitch isn't as much of a road as the first couple of tests every year, so you rarely see a side get flogged for 500+.

 

[dognutz]

A friend of the family who was like an uncle to me took me to see my first test at the MCG - the Centenary Test in 1977. When Greg Chappell came out ' uncle' sagely told me " now you'll see some batting ". He got bowled for 2. Talk about puttin the moz on somebody. Bastard made 143 not out from memory in 2nd dig when I wasn't there

great memories nonetheless

 

[morgieb]

Rahul replaces Sharma, apparently.

Interesting that Shami got a recall over Aaron.