*Official* VB Series - Australia, India & Zimbabwe

[Krishna]

Do it more than once and you might have a point - So far it's only 1 win after countless losses.

Hate to agree there, but at least they (Indians) are giving a fight in loss too. Its heart warming to see an Indian team
(a) Play as a team
(b) Play to its complete potential (even though the bowling attack is still way off from where I personally would want) and its so nice to see an Indian batsman, VVS, take a liking for Aussie bowling.
(c) Finally put up a fight instead of folding up.

and my props to Dravid, he has been the biggest difference in the middle order on both sides at least till now on this tour.

 

[ReallyCrazy]

Instead of looking at how many days India and Australia dominated (which I feel India wins btw)...lets look at some other stats:

- Australia found it much harder to bowl India out than India did.
- There were 5 five wicket hauls in the batter dominated series and all 5 were taken by the Indians.
-Rahul Dravid was named player of the series with an average of 123+
-3 of the 4 Man of the Match awards went to the Indians.
-At the end of the series, Waugh was happy with the draw and said so himself

India were certainly the better team even if you look at it this way.
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Did you guys catch what Ganguly said after winning the 2nd ODI match agaisnt Australia? He said that India should have won the first match as well since until the 45th over, India was firmly in control. By saying this, he gave a clear message to Ponting and Co.

 

[Krishna]

Australia dominated many more days than India in their series though.

Imo, Neither side dominated the other to a fullest extent both, at batting level, were on par, barring a poor performance by Aussies at Adelaide and the Indians at MCG, it was an evenly matched series. Neither side could get the other out when it mattered most. Aussies missed McGrath a lot (Warne wouldn't have made an iota of a difference against Indians imo) and Indians missed Zaheer.

I haven't followed the Pak Vs NZL series to make a comment here. As far as the Pak VS Ind series is concerned, I am extremely happy that the series has been started again its always a complete rush to watch these two teams battle and it will be a treat to watch these teams battle out each other. I personally think that both cricket crazy nations have been robbed of a great match up over the past few years thanks to politicians on both sides.

My only concern currently is the safety and security of the players, Pakistan is currently in a serious political turmoil and anything can happen, hence to hold this series in Pakistan is a considerable risk. I hope these concerns just remain concerns and nothing more than that.

 

[Krishna]

Ind never even really looked like bowling them out

Damn if there were only other bowler to complement Kumble's toiling performance...sigh..if wishes were only horses

 

[masterblaster]

I agree with you there James, Id love to see Patel open against Zimbabwe.

 

[Jono]

No Sehwag
No Agargar
No Kaif
No Harbahjan
No Zaheer
No Problem

What an absolutely awesome match by the Indians, they were clearly underdogs going into the match and they made a fighting win with so many great performances from individuals. Tendulkar's fighting knock while injured, Laxman's solid 100 and further proves he is the Aussies' worst nightmare. Mr. Consistency Rahul Dravid does it again and nothing made me happier than Rohan Gavaskar's performance. When he got that single to get Laxman on strike I was jumping up an down. Not to mention his caught & bowled.

Parthan was absolutely brilliant, as was Balaji but Parthan showed an aggressive side which showed confidence. He knows he can bowl out the best of the best and that showed in this game. Hayden tried to bully him, and Parthan got the last laugh in the end, absolutely brilliant. Hayden, though he hit an impressive 100 showed he's too arrogant for his own good. More proof that the Aussies underestimate the Indians too often. Balaji came back from a dropped catch at a crucial time to bowl great as well and he's definitely coming of age.

Now the most enjoyable bits, seeing Lee hit all around the park once again. He is playing poor cricket and being exposed. For once he didn't celebrate in ridiculous fashion after bowling out someone late in the innings. Maybe he's only just found out he can't cut it. If only Williams would stop his childish wicket celebrations which make him look like an idiot.

Terrific performance by the Indians but I am a little worried about the injuries at the moment so I hope we rest a lot of players against Zimbabwe because the big games are still to come.

On a last note dide anyone notice Ganguly's words. He continues to mention how India should of won in Melbourne and is showing an aggressive side that an opposing captain to Australia hasn't showing since Ranatunga for Sri Lanka, Tony Greig mentioned this as well. It's going to be interesting if India can continue to play well, we're in for some entertaining cricket.

 

[krkode]

Jono: everyone's celebration makes them look like an idiot when they get your team members out. :P

To an Aussie, Balaji's or Pathan's celebrations are idiotic and to us Indian fans, Williams's and Lee's celebrations are idiotic. Simple.

 

[Jono]

I find Williams idiotic in domestic wicket celebrations as well, he just looks stupid. I also found Balagi slipping after catching Gilchrist funny as well, lucky he landed on his knees so he could cover it up.

I see your point though

 

[masterblaster]

Pathan's celebration's were awesome for me...

Well deserved..

Especially since Indians are known to be meek and mild.

 

[krkode]

Personally, I always liked Prasad's and Ambrose's celebrations. Those guys had class... :P

 

[mavric41]

Tendulkar being rested and Parthiv Patel opening. And doing a fair enough job of it so far.

 

[Tim]

Pretty close before though...If Pathiv hadn't have got a bit of bat in his stride, Streak had him plumb LBW...good decision by Koertzen.

 

[Tim]

And like the champion he is, Streak kept his cool & Pathiv is out bowled.

Actually if it had been Nel or Williams they probably would have run down the pitch screaming after Pathiv played some aggressive shots early on..but Streak didn't show any emotion.

 

[CDAK]

And like the champion he is, Streak kept his cool & Pathiv is out bowled.

Actually if it had been Nel or Williams they probably would have run down the pitch screaming after Pathiv played some aggressive shots early on..but Streak didn't show any emotion.

Exactly. Streak is gentleman cricketer.

 

[Tim]

Ervine is bowling brilliantly once again, he really is one of the rising all-rounders in world cricket.

 

[Choora]

I disagree with what you said there jamesryfler. I think India are a better team atm. Pakistan beating NZ does not convey much. NZ actually dominated more days in the test series than Pakistan did and were unlucky to lose it. And then what about the 4-1 series win for NZ in the ODIs.

Comparing India and Pakistan...India's batting lineup is perhaps the best in the world. Their fielding is a lot better. And I would say that the Pakistan bowling attack is only slightly better and that is becoz of Shoaib Akhtar. If there was no Shoaib, India's bowling would be better. India's bowling is not as bad as some ppl say it is. And it is being seen in this Australian tour.

New Zealand were Lucky to have escaped a 2-0 test defeat, to say that they were unlucky to have lost 1-0 is hardly true.Whether it was one spell by a bowler or not, the fact that they were not able to face it and fell like 11 pins shows where they stand.Also don't forget that NZ were playing on their own home ground, they had previously lost the series in Pak too.


The reason i said India would best pak is not because i consider Pak a cappy team but because Indian team is at the peak atm.It is a well setteled team with a highy confident and gutsy captain and has a good combination of great batters and fine bowlers.Pakistan on the other hand is on the re-building stage. Umar,Hameed and farhat and talented players that might reach great height in the game in future but atm are inexperianced and i have a feeling that in such a tense series they will falter.The batting will be heavily dependent on Yohanna and Inzi, just 2 guys. Bowling wise Pak will be a lot dependent on Akhter and if he fails or get injured then it will be dooms day for Pak.
Pak selector can ofcourse recall Saqlain mustaq who i believe is still one of the game and can be one of the player of the series, but they are fools who prefer bits and pieces player like Malik over Saqlain even in test cricket.

 

[Tim]

Rubbish, despite the fact that in the 1st test NZ were poor in the 2nd innings they weren't at the point where it was totally out of control.

The 2nd test definately came down to the Day 4 morning spell by Shoaib..at that time he was just too good. At the start of the day NZ had something like a 180 run lead & if Shoaib had not been there, odds on NZ would have posted a high total.

 

[Tim]

I thought the series in NZ reflected more of where both teams are at.

Pakistan brought what they think is their best team to NZ, while NZ did actually have most of their top players..yet were still missing Astle & Bond (our 2 best ODI players).

And the pitches weren't crap either...apart from Napier, they were excellent batting tracks so no real excuses there.

 

[Choora]

Rubbish, despite the fact that in the 1st test NZ were poor in the 2nd innings they weren't at the point where it was totally out of control.

The 2nd test definately came down to the Day 4 morning spell by Shoaib..at that time he was just too good. At the start of the day NZ had something like a 180 run lead & if Shoaib had not been there, odds on NZ would have posted a high total.

So? Are we comparing Pak test team (minus Akhter) vs NZ or just pak vs NZ team??

In the first test NZ did come to a point where they could have lost the first test match, if NZ are losing series in one spell then it is even more bad for their team!

 

[Choora]

Btw, what happened to that guy "rajat"?? i am missing his lessons on "patriotism"!