***Official*** India in South Africa

[TT Boy]

That was a good ball however from Ntini, snare one more tonight and then it will be a good day...

 

[silentstriker]

Well the day belongs to SA, clearly and utterly. My target of 300 is now not going to be achieved. New Target: 225.

 

[Anil]

the tail might wag a little, gangs is fighting for his cricketing life, so he might put up tent, we might get close to 300 ...but that's not going to be anywhere near enough unless we bowl and field out of our skins....

 

[silentstriker]

There might come a day, likely at the end of the test match, when I envy the number of tests NZ plays.

 

[cricketboy29]

There might come a day, likely at the end of the test match, when I envy the number of tests NZ plays.

I feel your pain SS...

 

[Anil]

There might come a day, likely at the end of the test match, when I envy the number of tests NZ plays.

and the number of one dayers bangladesh plays against zimbabwe?

 

[TT Boy]

Chances are South Africa's attack will be down to the four bowlers for the rest of the game, Steyn has had a recurrence of a quadricep strain, Cricinfo is reporting. Most likely will be missing the boxing day test also, opportunity for young guy Morkel perhaps.

 

[adharcric]

India been rather fortunate with a couple of LBW's

Really? I don't recall any calls that went in favor of India, unless something happened in the last 45 minutes of play when I fell asleep.

Pollock and Kallis bowled quite well and Ntini had a few flashes of brilliance which proved to be enough.
Steyn wasted the new ball but Smith made a good move in replacing him after 3-4 overs.

 

[Jono]

Funny how some Indian fans here think SA easily one the first day, when almost every commentator felt it was dead even, and had Laxman not fallen right at the end it would have been India's day.

Dhoni and Ganguly's partnership tomorrow will be massive. If they can put on even 50-70 runs, India can get 300.

If only Laxman didn't go out.

 

[silentstriker]

Funny how some Indian fans here think SA easily one the first day, when almost every commentator felt it was dead even, and had Laxman not fallen right at the end it would have been India's day.

Dhoni and Ganguly's partnership tomorrow will be massive. If they can put on even 50-70 runs, India can get 300.

If only Laxman didn't go out.

Yea, I was reading on cricinfo and I went 'WTF' at their reaction as well. Perhaps I have less faith then they do in Ganguly + lower order. We'll see, I hope I am wrong and my initial target was 300 when SRT and Dravid were still in, but now I don't see us crossing 250, with 225-230 as the target.

 

[Dasa]

Overall, decent day for India I think. They performed better than I expected, and Tendulkar looked good while he was at the crease - good signs for the rest of the series. A total of about 250-275 would be just about competitive, 300+ would be great.

 

[adharcric]

Pretty much what Dasa said. 225 minimum, 250 target, 275 solid, 300 excellent.

 

[silentstriker]

Pretty much what Dasa said. 225 minimum, 250 target, 275 solid, 300 excellent.

Can't believe I completely agree with you.

 

[adharcric]

Can't believe I completely agree with you.

Doesn't it feel good to finally be right about something?

 

[R_D]

Pretty much what Dasa said. 225 minimum, 250 target, 275 solid, 300 excellent.

Yeah as long as the bowlers do their job

 

[silentstriker]

Yeah as long as the bowlers do their job

Mate forget winning, I just don't want to be blown out.

 

[Anil]

Funny how some Indian fans here think SA easily one the first day, when almost every commentator felt it was dead even, and had Laxman not fallen right at the end it would have been India's day.

Dhoni and Ganguly's partnership tomorrow will be massive. If they can put on even 50-70 runs, India can get 300.

If only Laxman didn't go out.

is the pitch a minefield or something that 156 for 5 is a decent score and ending up on 225 would be considered to be good? it is a genuine question because i am not watching the match...

 

[silentstriker]

is the pitch a minefield or something that 156 for 5 is a decent score and ending up on 225 would be considered to be good? it is a genuine question because i am not watching the match...

No it isn't, but its not an easy pitch to bat on. SA bowlers have been wayward a lot of the times, but still they have the advantage.

I don't see it as even, but almost everyone else on cricinfo does. I don't think 225 will be enough TBH. I said 300 at the beginning of the innings, and I think thats the score that would be on par.

 

[honestbharani]

is the pitch a minefield or something that 156 for 5 is a decent score and ending up on 225 would be considered to be good? it is a genuine question because i am not watching the match...

not really. But there has consistent help for the RSA pacemen so far and with the weather being what it is, 225-275 might just prove to be more than handy if the bowlers can do a good job. At least, it will help us remain competitive which in itself would be exceeding expectations as far as I am concerned.

 

[silentstriker]

not really. But there has consistent help for the RSA pacemen so far and with the weather being what it is, 225-275 might just prove to be more than handy if the bowlers can do a good job. At least, it will help us remain competitive which in itself would be exceeding expectations as far as I am concerned.

I agree, and the heartening thing is that SA bowlers have been wayward. If our bowlers can show some disciple, we have a shot.

And being competitive would be more than I had expected. So as long as we can stretch it out a little bit, and keep it close, I'll be happy. Not really expecting to win barring an exceptional performance from someone, but at least the match will be fun to watch.