***Official*** India in West Indies

[roseboy64]

In regard to what Dhoni did in the previous game (I don't personally know which incident you're talking about), that's not relevant to this situation. As far as I know, Dhoni hasn't done anything blatant in his career thus far that should cause people to suspect him of being the unsportsmanlike one in a situation like this. Lara probably hasn't either. What matters is the way Dhoni and Lara reacted to the situation.

***Dhoni was walking back after he saw that the catch had been taken but was sent back by Dravid after it had been referred. He heard from Ganga, the umpires and Lara without any protest. He then took Lara's "advice" and declared himself out as Dravid declared the innings. Perfect conduct IMO. Just went with the flow and let the umpires do their job.

***Lara heard from Ganga (apparently that he wasn't sure whether he had stepped on the boundary) after the referral was made. Rauf and Taufel finally decided to give the benefit of doubt to the batsmen. Rauf and Taufel (especially) are two of the best umpires in world cricket today, so you can trust that they had made the correct decision in declaring Dhoni not out (as the fielder was himself uncertain). Instead of accepting the decision, Lara became angry and aggravated and snatched the ball from Rauf, ignored Rauf and started to set his field even while Rauf tried to get his attention. He then had a chat with Dhoni and Kaif and apparently advised Dhoni to walk because he should trust Ganga's verdict. Ignored the decision, treated the umpire like trash and showed dissent ... calls for a fine IMO.

***Dravid didn't really have much of a role for the most part. The best thing he did is that he did nothing at all and let the umpires do their job on the field. He finally declared the innings to avoid controversy and didn't even ask for the extra six runs which India deserved.

TBH, he was setting the field so it looks like he accepted the decision.

 

[adharcric]

Good start. The seamers need to go at 2 runs per over so WI are forced to take risks against Anil Kumble if they want to chase the target. Sreesanth doesn't look 100% to me (although he has more pace today, hit 85 more than a few times) and Munaf isn't hitting his top pace. I have this feeling VRV will be the one who can take a wicket among the seamers. Anil bhai will have to do his job with support from Sehwag perhaps.

 

[silentstriker]

From cricinfo, what WI papers are saying:

The row over the “catch” taken by Daren Ganga to remove MS Dhoni which tarnished the final session of the fourth day’s play at Antigua’s Recreation Ground was the talk of the Caribbean’s newspapers on Tuesday, with Brian Lara's antics taking centre stage.

Haydn Gill in the Barbados Nation lead the way.

“As the replays proved inconclusive, the decision was made in favour of the batsman. Lara appeared to ask for a further review, and when the verdict went against West Indies, he had a few words with Dhoni.”

The Jamaica Gleaner noted that Lara’s behaviour was less than exemplary:

“So upset was the West Indies captain that at one stage he dragged the ball away from the umpire at one end of the pitch before throwing it to the stumps at the other end as play seemed set to resume.”

In the Stabroek News Garth Wattley endorsed the view:

“Lara descended to finger pointing at the umpires, a pointed discussion with Dhoni and partner Mohammad Kaif and lastly, the angry grabbing of the ball from standing umpire Asad Rauf.”


That raised the question of a lack of consistency if, as most people believe, the match referee choses to do nothing against Lara while 24 hours earlier Mahela Jayawardene was fined 20% of his match fee for a moment of frustration with himself rather than any official.

 

[Fusion]

Here's Cricinfo's report on today's controversy.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/wivind/content/current/story/249668.html

After reading that, it becomes rather clear that
a) Dhoni should have been not out (by benefit of doubt)
b) Ganga wasn't sure whether he had stepped on the line
c) Lara was the only one who exhibited unsportsmanlike conduct

If Ganga wasn't sure whether he stepped on the line or not, and apparently told this to both Lara and Dhoni, then Lara shouldn't have reacted the way he did. The benefit of the doubt goes to the batsman. I think Lara acted rather childishly and I have lost some respect for him. I hope at least a fine, if not a ban for one game, is waiting for Lara.

 

[adharcric]

Exactly. If there is no fine, we can be certain that Billy Doctrove is a cheater as well.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It's criminal for any team to be bowled out in a day on this pitch at this stage. The ball really isn't doing anything that a little patience won't counter.

It's unfortunate that the West Indies seem to have decided not to even approach a positive mentality though.

That said, Ganga doesn't look too bad. He's playing for his career though.

 

[Raymond]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2LG40YlyiA

See what happened

 

[adharcric]

Come on VRV, cut out the no-balls, you're bowling well.

 

[viktor]

That said, Ganga doesn't look too bad. He's playing for his career though.

Is he? Who would replace him? Runako Morton didn't look impressive at all in the ODIs. Chattergoon?

 

[viktor]

Come on VRV, cut out the no-balls, you're bowling well.

It was just his 3rd over and he was already huffing and puffing....

 

[silentstriker]

It was just his 3rd over and he was already huffing and puffing....

Yea...the commentator mentioned that and I noticed it too. Munaf Patel also seems to have endurance problems.


AA/Pathan/Sreesanth pace combo would have been better, IMO.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Is he? Who would replace him? Runako Morton didn't look impressive at all in the ODIs. Chattergoon?

Runako Morton struggled in the ODIs, but he was quite good in New Zealand. His form this year has been generally quite impressive, and he has two fifties in his last three Test innings. One of those was unbeaten. He's not an opening batsman though, and shouldn't be asked to be one.

Sewnarine Chattergoon is also a major contender. Then there's Devon Smith, who played so well in the first Test in Australia last year.

Then, of course, there's Wavell Hinds, though I hope for his sake, he doesn't open again.

 

[Neil Pickup]

It's criminal for any team to be bowled out in a day on this pitch at this stage. The ball really isn't doing anything that a little patience won't counter.

It's unfortunate that the West Indies seem to have decided not to even approach a positive mentality though.

That said, Ganga doesn't look too bad. He's playing for his career though.

What's clubbing a back-of-a-length ball for six into the midwicket stands if it's not positive intent? I think this is gonna be gripping come the last hour.

 

[viktor]

Yeah, that was dismissive!!
About the openers, my bad, about Morton, Smith..he is the one who scored a century or something against the Aussies...yeah, he looked quite good.

 

[Sanz]

There is only one team that can win from here.

 

[viktor]

Yea...the commentator mentioned that and I noticed it too. Munaf Patel also seems to have endurance problems.


AA/Pathan/Sreesanth pace combo would have been better, IMO.

No audio, at work. Pathan? in these conditions? i dunno...

edit: They moved Kaif out of fwd. short leg!!!

 

[adharcric]

Ganga gone, Yuvraj with a nice one. There you go boys, attack!

 

[Neil Pickup]

Superb catch from Yuvraj at short-leg to remove Ganga off AK - another promising 30something.

 

[adharcric]

To be fair, Ganga impressed me in his stint at the crease here.

 

[Sanz]

What's up with VRV - keeps knocking the bails from the wrong end ?