***Official*** India in England

[Pratters]

If he can keep wicket and still average 30-35 opening, I think it'd balance the side perfectly, with Yuvraj or possibly even an allrounder if one emerges batting at #7. Obviously it is extremely demanding, but it's something he should perhaps be given an opportunity at, given the other options available and the way he has handled opening so far.

Firstly, an all rounder is impossible to find in this modern day when we play cricket all round the year. When it is difficult even for some one like Flintoff to do it, it is near impossible for some one like Pathan. One of the two forms of his game will suffer in all likelihood if we go down that road.

Secondly, keeping and opening, like I explained earlier, is a road we don't want to go down. Not many can average 30-35 while keeping in the same test. Nayan Mongia averaged only 22 abroad while keeping (and it abroad which is the problem. At home we can always have some one like S. Ramesh).

Thirdly, averaging 30 opening doesn't cut it because you expose the middle order too early more often than you want. If the person's strike rate is 20 and averages 30, he might do that job but not if the SR is around a run every 2 balls.

Simply said, I don't see how we can have a good balanced side with a non specialist opener. If Karthik develops into a specialist opener, that is fine but not other wise.

 

[honestbharani]

it was obvious, wasn't it?

But I am not THAT old, it must be said....

 

[Pratters]

Sure enough. You are around my age I would think. So I wouldn't call you old really because that wouldn't do me any favours either.

 

[Richard]

You lads are both old by common CW standards.

 

[Richard]

Too much detail. I don't feel safe disclosing the month.

Haha, oh dear. Thought your bday had been corrected? Most of us like it to be known, as then we get a thread on OT.

 

[Pratters]

The Karthik sledgegate carries on. Ganguly was arguing with Vaughan over some thing with Karthik beside him during the break.

 

[Pratters]

Dire line from Anderson.

 

[DCC_legend]

Do you not mean Anderson?

 

[Pratters]

Ah yes... edited.

 

[DCC_legend]

Gooonnnneeee

Good bowling from Sidebottom.

 

[Pratters]

A little bit of swing and these players are in trouble. Meh.

 

[Prince EWS]

Just realised Foxtel are showing it live tonight. Good stuff.

 

[Pratters]

Just realised Foxtel are showing it live tonight. Good stuff.

Haha. Unbelievable.

 

[Prince EWS]

Dire shot from Karthik.

 

[silentstriker]

Yup, dire. 1-0 England then. Even weather won't save us.

 

[DCC_legend]

Awta

 

[silentstriker]

I think part of that dismissal was people getting in Karthik's head....that's the advantage you get when you sledge someone. Good for England.

 

[Pratters]

Dhoni tries to drive the first ball. Misses it by 4 inches. FFS.

 

[Richard]

Yup, dire. 1-0 England then. Even weather won't save us.

I'm not counting my chickens before they're hatched. The weather today is completely unpredictable. With barely 5 minutes' warning, it could rain and not stop for the rest of the day. Therefore, India could be 9 down now and it'd still not be over.

 

[Richard]

I think part of that dismissal was people getting in Karthik's head....that's the advantage you get when you sledge someone. Good for England.

It was more the high-calibre away-swinger, though. And knowing Karthik it's very possible he'd have driven that had no-one said so much as a word to him.