*Official* VB Series - Australia, India & Zimbabwe

[Linda]

By the way, what happened to the discussion on the VB series...:rolleyes:

India 140/3 after 31.

 

[Pratters]

Gavaskar batting, Gavaskar commentating.

 

[Slow Love™]

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.

You summed it up perfectly. I agree on all points. India were the team turning the screws in the test series for the most part, and I for one, as an Australian, was very happy with a drawn series, considering how much better I think India played comparitively. Our great bowling attack was what really set us apart from the rest of the competition, and when that was neutered, we were suddently very ordinary. India both outbatted and outbowled us, IMO. They certainly out-fielded us.

 

[Slow Love™]

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.

I guess I can see why this comparison keeps getting made, but I think it characterises Ganguly poorly. Ganguly is a man willing to exert pressure and get under the opposition's skin, while playing fairly and leading confidently. Ranatunga was a surly, obnoxious man with no class, no sense of sportsmanship, who brought the game into disrepute on several occasions.

I realise that both of them can give the Aussies the sh*ts at times, but if I was Ganguly, I don't think I'd like to be constantly compared to Rantatunga. Your mileage may vary, of course.

 

[Prince EWS]

This is supposed to be a VB Series Thread, and Im sick of sifting through the pointless and never ending arguement about teh test series. If you want to discuss it,k thats fine, but could please start another thread and do it.

 

[CDAK]

Well done Zimbabwe... It was an excellent fielding and controlled bowling display by them. Nearly 40 runs might have been saved by the smart fileders.The Great Wall of India is again on action. Claps to Rahul and Yuvraj.


I read from Times of India that "Sulthan of Swing"(wasim) had an unofficial practice session with Irfan.( Rruce Reid was a dummy coach??!!) Great help for the budding bowlers... and I want to see how is going to use agnst Zimbabwe.

 

[Slow Love™]

I think Zimbabwe did really well restricting India, but I can't see their fragile batting lineup getting that close. Conditions didn't look so easy for the batsmen out there, and they're going to be batting under the lights.

It'd be great if they did though

 

[CDAK]

It's not unachievable.They can try for it if there first 3 stay atleast upto 125(in 35 overs). Streak can finish it. All support to Zimbabwe, come on, attack the young/inexperieced Indian bowling...

 

[rajat]

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

i am right here. I read all the posts made every day.But i havent got the time these days to see cricket or reply to posts.

As far as my lessons on patriotism are concerned, i never gave a lesson to anyone, the only thing i did was post a message about what Indians are achieving nowadays.
I know it was unreasonable of me to post this on the forum, but i couldnt resist doing so.

 

[Pratters]

I read from Times of India that "Sulthan of Swing"(wasim) had an unofficial practice session with Irfan.( Rruce Reid was a dummy coach??!!) Great help for the budding bowlers... and I want to see how is going to use agnst Zimbabwe.

They were showing Wasim assist Irfan in the indoor nets yesterday on Sportcentre India on ESPN. He doesnt officially want to take the position as even talk of it has invited a case filed against him which ofcourse is ridiculous. But I would imagne Wasim doesnt want the official tag to avoid controversies. What Bruce Reid is doing then when Wasim is helping, I am not aware. Reid by the way has said he would not tour with India to Pakistan as bowling coach.

 

[Slow Love™]

I have to admit, I find it depressing how defensively this Zimbabwe top order plays the game.

If a wicket or two falls early (and this is often the case) they go into full caution mode, and barely play any shots. It's like they take the Ian Chappell "must bat out the 50 overs" mantra as their only philosophy. There's no point batting out slowly to a loss, particularly when chasing a target that wasn't huge (even if it may have been a bit much for Zimbabwe to get).

Better to go out blazing. This is one-day cricket, after all. Zimbabwe have nothing to lose - nobody really expects anything other than sound losses from them anyway, so they really ought to have a go. The other factor here is that rain is on the cards, and Zimbabwe's best chance of a win was to at least try and stay ahead of the Duckwork/Lewis target. As it stands, they don't have a chance if the rain comes, their run-rate is far too slow.

This top order is just not suited to one-day cricket. There must be some kids to try.

 

[mavric41]

This top order is just not suited to one-day cricket. There must be some kids to try.

They have been trying kids. Thats been the problem. They need Goodwin and Andy Flower back. What a difference they would make to this side.

 

[Mr.Freeman]

G.Flower got off to a decent start but couldnt on with it. Andy Flower and Goodwin would make a big difference to there side

 

[Slow Love™]

They have been trying kids. Thats been the problem. They need Goodwin and Andy Flower back. What a difference they would make to this side.

Yeah, but Carlisle, Vermuelen and Grant Flower are all quite experienced, but they played like they weren't interested in anything but survival.

Ervine and Ebrahim are making them look even worse right now - I fear that it's just too much for them, but they're giving it one hell of a try, and that's what the top order should have done. They might have actually won this game.

They still might - they're about twenty balls in arrears, but it's unlikely (at least there's some excitement though!). The funny thing is that India will probably win this match, but good lord, they look like rabble in the field. Some of Nehra's efforts have been particularly hilarious..

 

[Eclipse]

Ervine and Ebrihim having ago curent partneship 47 off 36 60 off 42 balls needed.

 

[age_master]

ervines out - at least they should get one point from this match

 

[Eclipse]

or they could win 29 off 23 needed Price doing really well.

 

[Eclipse]

Ebrihim out but still a slight chance 25 off 18 Price doing well.

If only Vermulean could come back I wonder if he will.

 

[mavric41]

Bugger, Ebrahaim is out. I wonder if Vermulan will come out? Good to see some fight from the Zimbos.

 

[Prince EWS]

Well he should have. Even if he was dead he should have come out, with the game in the situation it was. He does have two eyes... and si one of my favourite players, so i love noting better in the world than to see him lead Zimbabwe to an impossible victory. Real shame he didnt return.