***Official*** India in South Africa

[silentstriker]

Ah, didn't know about the weather. Is a lot of rain predicted, or just potential showers?

South Africa are obviously in the box seat with the runs on the board, but I would have thought that if India survived through tonight and tomorrow, they'd have a shot at chasing something around 300 or so, simply through the innings being long enough. But I guess a draw's right back on the cards if the weather plays a significant part. Certainly wouldn't blame the Indians for taking the light tonight when it's offered though, no need to do anything silly.

Situations like this can get tricky for the fielding captain. If the lead should get above 300 or so with these two still at the crease, you might start to think about just spreading the field to induce the Saffies to bat on further.

Not India. I wouldn't bet money on us chasing in tests on the last two days.

 

[social]

They won their last test series at home as comfortably as you like, sure it was New Zealand but nevertheless 'eons' is probably not the best description.

Sorry, overlooked NZ BUT their record this year is deplorable (2 wins and 7 losses if I'm not mistaken) and their captain has been facing real pressure for his job.

Not losing would be foremost in some minds I'd suggest

 

[Slow Love™]

Oh, TTBoy posted the forecast while I was writing that post, cheers.

 

[silentstriker]

Sorry, overlooked NZ BUT their record this year is deplorable (2 wins and 7 losses if I'm not mistaken) and their captain has been facing real pressure for his job.

Not losing would be foremost in some minds I'd suggest

I don't know. They are 1-0 down already. Would they be happy losing the series 1-0 or even draw it at 1-1?

If you had offerred 1-1 to me before the series, I would have taken it in a split second.

 

[Jono]

LOL I remember you going on about it, but who called you a troll?

Shame I'm in work, this sounds like a decent Test, is it?

Yeah but its scary I know I'll be crapping myself when Sehwag faces his first ball.

 

[TT Boy]

LOL I remember you going on about it, but who called you a troll?

Shame I'm in work, this sounds like a decent Test, is it?

Not the greatest standard of cricket (good bowling) but its been an exciting series so far, the ball has dominated once again. Other than the New Zealand second test every South African wicket for the past two years has been seamer dominated it would seem, there either green tops or ridiculous damp wickets, see Stuart Clark at Cape Town.

 

[Slow Love™]

Not India. I wouldn't bet money on us chasing in tests on the last two days.

I wouldn't either, but the point I was making was that if the weather didn't intrude too much, and they were chasing 300 or so, they'd be likely to get close if they batted long enough to deprive South Africa victory.

Ultimately I'd be hoping for rain, too, but 300 or just under just seems so tantalisingly possible. Anyhow, the Saffies may well get very conservative and try to completely shut India out of any chance (possibly to their own detriment), we'll see.

 

[TT Boy]

I don't know. They are 1-0 down already. Would they be happy losing the series 1-0 or even draw it at 1-1?

If you had offerred 1-1 to me before the series, I would have taken it in a split second.

South African wouldn’t, Haroon Lorgat wanted nothing more than a 3-0 before the start of the series and even with the loss he still said that South Africa should, would and more importantly need to win the test series. A draw is not good enough for him it would seem.

 

[Langeveldt]

Pfft, If you offered me 1-1 at the start of the series, I'd have chopped your hand off and fed it to you..

 

[adharcric]

Lead climbing to 300 now ... come on rain.

 

[Slow Love™]

Yeah, a drawn series at home against India would be considered a disaster for South Africa, but social has a point about the fear of losing this one. It's a very tough call, with his head possibly on the chopping block, and Smith does have a tendency towards cautiousness - except for that one he threw away last year at Sydney (which may have reinforced it).

 

[silentstriker]

Pfft, If you offered me 1-1 at the start of the series, I'd have chopped your hand off and fed it to you..

Haha

 

[silentstriker]

I am liking the SA tactic right now.

 

[honestbharani]

we are dead and buried. Only rain can save us now, AFAIC.



Can't remember the last time when I felt that not even one Indian batsman could score a 100 throughout a series.

 

[Jono]

This reminds me so much of England's batting against India in Mumbai earlier this year.

 

[silentstriker]

This reminds me so much of England's batting against India in Mumbai earlier this year.

Yea. Hope Smith gets defensive and bats past tea. Time to slow down the over rates IMO.

 

[silentstriker]

Sreesanth!

 

[Jono]

Yea. Hope Smith gets defensive and bats past tea. Time to slow down the over rates IMO.

What I was referring to was that IMO Freddy batted too conservatively in that match, going at like 2 rpo or something, and I felt he didn't leave England enough time to win, but somehow India capitulated and lost anyway. I hope that doesn't happen this time, because India should have easily drawn that match.

Btw, is Asad Rauf the most incompetent umpire in world cricket? Regarding both decisions and in general his on field actions?

 

[superkingdave]

Hall goes. Hopefully SA get bowled out in about half an hour for a 330 lead.

 

[silentstriker]

Hmm, I reckon 300 is enough...I might think about just going defnesive in terms of field settings and make them spend time to get their runs.

If SA go all out in the next 15 mins, it might actually be worse for India IMO.