***Official*** India in South Africa

[adharcric]

Munaf Patel has been declared fit for Cape Town.

 

[Perm]

Good news for India, the sooner they can get VRV Singh out of the team the better really. He doesn't look good enough for international level yet and should be playing more domestic matches. Good to see Graeme Smith in the runs for South Africa and it was a very good innings from Shaun Pollock. Morne Morkel definately looks to be a good prospect if he can sort out his no ball problem.

 

[Langeveldt]

Gee, you guys sure do big up your team don't you? Burning effigies, et al. Fantastic. Wish you were at the ground rather than those bloody twits who go and support India at Durban all the time.

So who do the "South African Indians" predominantly support these days?

 

[R_D]

yes...especially now that dravid is out of the picture, the indians need to not try and just survive out there, that's the surest way to lose....if they can bat in a fairly positive manner and draw this, it would be a huge psychological boost going into the 3rd test, the chances of that happening are very slim however....

hehehe yeah rain is their best hope. I don't trust indian batsman to last 2 sessions and looks like South African team knows it too.. They've managed to pull loses out of nowhere too many times to rely on them.

 

[R_D]

So who do the "South African Indians" predominantly support these days?

Mostly india i assume... but you do have some rotten apple that might not

 

[Prince EWS]

I think the worst thing India/Sachin can do on day 5 is to go on the defensive. That has never worked for them. They need to play their natural game.

I've always had problems with that philosophy. These guys are quality test batsmen - surely they can play in more than one fashion. Kallis gets criticised to the pillar for not being up to up the anti - surely the likes of Tendulkar should face similar criticism if they can't down the anti - particularly when said criticism of Kallis is often unjust anyway...

 

[social]

Yeah I don't get him either. I can't figure out, is he a stock bowler, or a strike bowler. Because if he's a stock bowler, he's one ****e stock bowler, and if he is a strike bowler, he is one ****e strike bowler.

This post cracked me up - so what ur saying is that he's ****e

Interestingly, Donald rates him as a real prospect - reasonable, pace, movement, good physique for a quick, etc

 

[social]

Do the same rules apply here as for the Ashes? Namely, lost time can be made up by starting play 1/2 hour early.

If so, India will probably need to last 5 hours (2.5 in 1st, 2 in second, maybe half an hour in third before darkness sets in)

Facing a 5 man pace attack, that will probably equate to 55 overs or so (11 per hour)

Doesnt seem so hard when u break it down like that

 

[Prince EWS]

This post cracked me up - so what ur saying is that he's ****e

Interestingly, Donald rates him as a real prospect - reasonable, pace, movement, good physique for a quick, etc

Movement? I haven't seen any yet really.
His pace is acceptable but it's not anything special either. Bowls in the mid 130s range.

 

[silentstriker]

Do the same rules apply here as for the Ashes? Namely, lost time can be made up by starting play 1/2 hour early.

If so, India will probably need to last 5 hours (2.5 in 1st, 2 in second, maybe half an hour in third before darkness sets in)

Facing a 5 man pace attack, that will probably equate to 55 overs or so (11 per hour)

Doesnt seem so hard when u break it down like that

Then you have to realize its India thats batting. And its not at home.

 

[social]

Then you have to realize its India thats batting. And its not at home.

Time for someone to stand up, get behind the line, no wafts outside off to short nondescript crap and make the Saffies earn their wickets

 

[silentstriker]

Time for someone to stand up, get behind the line, no wafts outside off to short nondescript crap and make the Saffies earn their wickets

So basically, time for India to switch places with the Aussies?

 

[social]

So basically, time for India to switch places with the Aussies?

Only in the sense that the Aussie batsmen are professional in their attitude under most circumstances and make bowlers play to their strengths

Take Steve Waugh as an example. He was no more talented than Laxman or Ganguly and possibly even Dhoni but who would you rather have facing up 4 you tomorrrow?

 

[silentstriker]

Only in the sense that the Aussie batsmen are professional in their attitude under most circumstances and make bowlers play to their strengths

Take Steve Waugh as an example. He was no more talented than Laxman or Ganguly and possibly even Dhoni but who would you rather have facing up 4 you tomorrrow?

Yup thats what I meant. And yes, he was more talented and Dhoni. What's wrong with you?

 

[adharcric]

This post cracked me up - so what ur saying is that he's ****e

Interestingly, Donald rates him as a real prospect - reasonable, pace, movement, good physique for a quick, etc

He is definitely a prospect but he is far too raw for test cricket. He generates good pace and bounce and can bowl good spells from time to time.
Yet he still needs to develop guile and consistency and work out a few other issues. Is the potential there? Yes. Is he ready for test cricket? Not quite.

 

[social]

Yup thats what I meant. And yes, he was more talented and Dhoni. What's wrong with you?

I know exactly how talented Steve Waugh is/was - played with and against him more times than I can remember

However, the biggest thing that sets him apart from "mere mortals" is not physical talent but mental toughness

 

[Turbinator]

I know exactly how talented Steve Waugh is/was - played with and against him more times than I can remember

However, the biggest thing that sets him apart from "mere mortals" is not physical talent but mental toughness

Are you serious, where when how?

 

[adharcric]

I know exactly how talented Steve Waugh is/was - played with and against him more times than I can remember

However, the biggest thing that sets him apart from "mere mortals" is not physical talent but mental toughness

That is also talent. Dhoni is not necessarily more talented because he can strike the ball harder. Dravid is immensely talented IMO, despite not having breathtaking strokeplay.

 

[Turbinator]

That is also talent. Dhoni is not necessarily more talented because he can strike the ball harder. Dravid is immensely talented IMO, despite not having breathtaking strokeplay.

But he has the ability to deliver breathtaking drives with his impeccable timing.

 

[silentstriker]

But he has the ability to deliver breathtaking drives with his impeccable timing.

You know what he meant . You can be a defensive player and be immensly talented.