*Official* India in South Africa

[vcs]

Early days obviously but Dravid looking a bit vulnerable IMO. In the last couple of years I definitely think you can tell which Dravid has shown up pretty early - when he's struggling for form he tends to get too far across his stumps which makes himself vulnerable to both playing at deliveries he doesn't need to and getting hit on the pads in front. Even on that on-drive he just played, his head had completely fallen over to the off side. Dravid in his glory days moved his feet back and forward a lot further - his trigger movement across gets him into trouble a bit these days.

Terrific piece of punditry that.

Shame we don't get anything remotely as insightful from the commentators these days. I have to say I thought Dravid looked pretty solid right upto his dismissal.

 

[vcs]

This is really absorbing stuff. I really do love cricket in South Africa - the pitches usually have a bit in them and of course it helps they have a properly good and entertaining side.

I don't agree with the ridiculous notion that performing in these conditions is more important than performing in the subcontinent or more of an indication of quality or anything like that, but I will say that pitches with genuine bounce (even if it's slow bounce, like this pitch seems to be barring a couple of balls) and a bit of sideways movement make for the best cricket to watch. From my perspective anyway, obv.

I just love all flavours of Test cricket. Keep the variety, I say.

 

[Jono]

awta also

 

[Blaze 18]

Terrific piece of punditry that.

Shame we don't get anything remotely as insightful from the commentators these days. I have to say I thought Dravid looked pretty solid right upto his dismissal.

Yeah, that was his first error in judgement.

 

[chicane]

Looked like a wicket could fall ahead of every ball that session. Just enough in the deck which the bowlers have used well.

Sachin and Laxman just have to keep scoring.

 

[M0rphin3]

This is really absorbing stuff. I really do love cricket in South Africa - the pitches usually have a bit in them and of course it helps they have a properly good and entertaining side.

I don't agree with the ridiculous notion that performing in these conditions is more important than performing in the subcontinent or more of an indication of quality or anything like that, but I will say that pitches with genuine bounce (even if it's slow bounce, like this pitch seems to be barring a couple of balls) and a bit of sideways movement make for the best cricket to watch. From my perspective anyway, obv.

nailed it pews. awta.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah, that was his first error in judgement.

Yeah it always looked like it was coming though, to me. Really wasn't liking his footwork or his head position. Off-stump judgement is the biggest difference between Dravid of today and of a few years ago and he ends up playing shots in some really odd positions. Sometimes he comes out and he looks fine; today was not one of those days.

 

[Jono]

Took a ball that seamed a lot to get him though.

 

[Prince EWS]

Took a ball that seamed a lot to get him though.

I actually don't think he did too much wrong with that one. If anything he probably should've just got further forward, so even though he got out like I said he would, he didn't exactly get out how I said he would.. if you get me.

 

[Jono]

Yeah I understand. Didn't get out going too far forward and falling over, rather went back when he shouldn't have.

Either way I think it was unfortunate he fell, because I think he was doing all you could ask from him. Unless you're in supreme form (ala Sachin, Sanga, Cook, Ab Dev etc.) you're never going to look comfortable on a wicket like this against the new ball with it moist due to rain.

 

[vcs]

Angelo Mathews and Southee dismissed him recently in the manner you describe... falling over and playing across his pads. It used to happen to Sachin also a lot in his slump years.

 

[Blaze 18]

Yeah it always looked like it was coming though, to me. Really wasn't liking his footwork or his head position. Off-stump judgement is the biggest difference between Dravid of today and of a few years ago and he ends up playing shots in some really odd positions. Sometimes he comes out and he looks fine; today was not one of those days.

To be fair to him, that was one hell of a delivery. It would have got most batsmen out.

 

[vcs]

Yeah I understand. Didn't get out going too far forward and falling over, rather went back when he shouldn't have.

Either way I think it was unfortunate he fell, because I think he was doing all you could ask from him. Unless you're in supreme form (ala Sachin, Sanga, Cook, Ab Dev etc.) you're never going to look comfortable on a wicket like this against the new ball with it moist due to rain.

AWTA. Love the way he plays with soft hands through the slip cordon. Usually always gets it right.

 

[Jono]

Watching a stream. Getting SuperSport comms and Sky in the studio. Loving Sky right now.

Jaw almost hit the floor when Rob Key knew Gambhir had toured NZ and done well, but that the pitches were a lot different.

The English comms on Sky just know their ****. So refreshing.

 

[Prince EWS]

usually always

<_<

....


>_>

 

[Jono]

****, that was close.

 

[M0rphin3]

Sach looking ominous, WAG.

 

[M0rphin3]

Steyn you ****ing beauty.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

That was just an awesome ball.

 

[Jono]

Nut.

Come on VVS go forward to that.