Australia v India - 4th Test, Day 5
Heading into the last day, the 4th Test can go in one of two directions. Either India collapse, the match ends in a thriller and Adelaide curator Les Burdett is hailed as a genius for producing yet another perfect Test match pitch. Who can forget last year's Adelaide Day 5? Or more likely, India will bat out the day, the Test will be fizzle to a draw, both sides will be criticised for negative captaincy and Les Burdett will be blasted for producing a flat, boring pitch. Naturally, I'm hoping for the first option. But strictly as a cricket fan - an Australian win is merely a bonus!
| Posted by JC on Mon 28 Jan |  41 comments |
Yes, I was puzzled by the slow scoring rate by Ponting and Clark on Day 3. Can't believe I was seeing Australia play for a draw for the first time in years. But there were 13 wickets in 1 day last year in Adelaide and it can happen again!
Posted by Cricketgirl on 2008-01-28 11:36:41
Posted by Cricketgirl on 2008-01-28 11:36:41
Old chinese saying
Be careful what you wish for...
Your wish may come back to haunt you!
India 241/4 declared
Australia 189 All-Out
Posted by Tail spin on 2008-01-28 13:26:16
Be careful what you wish for...
Your wish may come back to haunt you!
India 241/4 declared
Australia 189 All-Out
Posted by Tail spin on 2008-01-28 13:26:16
Ponting is still attacking helping to keep the match alive,wishing Kumble may declare with a lead of 250.. Cheers to Aussies for that
Posted by anon on 2008-01-28 14:19:27
Posted by anon on 2008-01-28 14:19:27
Did Clarke win the Sydney Test for Australia only to drop this one last night?
Posted by TA on 2008-01-28 14:36:34
Posted by TA on 2008-01-28 14:36:34
I was just thinking that - Clarke's dropping Sehwag is proving as costly as Warnie dropping Pietersen at the Oval, possibly costing us the Ashes
Posted by JC on 2008-01-28 14:39:21
Posted by JC on 2008-01-28 14:39:21
I think cricket as turned into a major religion now, people respected the sport earlier but today they worship it, I mean look at India-pakistan matches,the intensity of the players in an Indo-Pak match would put Galdiators to shame. I wait for months even years to see an Indo-pak match and cant wait for the next one, BTW here is a cool indo-pak cricket game for fans, really cool.
http://indo-pak-cricket.zapak.com?utm_source=b
Posted by ronny on 2008-01-28 16:46:18
http://indo-pak-cricket.zapak.com?utm_source=b
Posted by ronny on 2008-01-28 16:46:18
BUKK,BUKK,BUKK,BUKK, can anyone else smell chicken!!!!
After all the talk,all the chest beating, Kumble just didn't have the balls to make a game of it.
A 200 run lead with less than a session to play and he bats it out for a lame draw!!!
Surely his lionhearted bowlers, superior tactics & the burning desire to WIN would have been enough to ensure a victory against a team that they say they do not fear.
BUKK,BUKK,BUKK
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-28 18:27:46
After all the talk,all the chest beating, Kumble just didn't have the balls to make a game of it.
A 200 run lead with less than a session to play and he bats it out for a lame draw!!!
Surely his lionhearted bowlers, superior tactics & the burning desire to WIN would have been enough to ensure a victory against a team that they say they do not fear.
BUKK,BUKK,BUKK
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-28 18:27:46
oh yeah .. with a bowler down .. and with a slip fielder down, no captain wud do that .. and as far as negative tactics are concerned, you need not look any further back than the aussies first innings ..
so much for the BUKK,BUKK,BUKK .... smell chicken shit !!!
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 19:43:55
so much for the BUKK,BUKK,BUKK .... smell chicken shit !!!
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 19:43:55
i think the match was thrown towards a draw on the 3rd day when aussies known for scoring 400/day managed a mere 260.
Posted by Nike on 2008-01-28 20:03:40
Posted by Nike on 2008-01-28 20:03:40
Hey, Ghurram old mate, don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk.
Kumble was afraid that Gilly would open & ALL the bowlers would be found out.
If India truly has "the fire in the belly", they should back themselves and have a go, not play safe for a draw in series they already lost.
They just don't want it enough.
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-28 20:25:06
Kumble was afraid that Gilly would open & ALL the bowlers would be found out.
If India truly has "the fire in the belly", they should back themselves and have a go, not play safe for a draw in series they already lost.
They just don't want it enough.
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-28 20:25:06
That was pathetic from India, really really pathetic.
I expected India to declare for 200 lead and it would have given Australia a chance to swing for it. Basically a One day game. Obviously India were too scared to make a decleration.
If Australia was in India's positiont they would have declared especially when drawing the game meant losing the series. Grame Smith won respect for trying to win. Kumble and India only lost respect.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4585630.stm
So much for the new "aggressive" India. Obviously India don't understand why Australia win games, its because they will always try to win. Not give it up as a draw.
Posted by Andrew on 2008-01-28 20:28:18
I expected India to declare for 200 lead and it would have given Australia a chance to swing for it. Basically a One day game. Obviously India were too scared to make a decleration.
If Australia was in India's positiont they would have declared especially when drawing the game meant losing the series. Grame Smith won respect for trying to win. Kumble and India only lost respect.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4585630.stm
So much for the new "aggressive" India. Obviously India don't understand why Australia win games, its because they will always try to win. Not give it up as a draw.
Posted by Andrew on 2008-01-28 20:28:18
gilly and opening ... in a test ... harry mate .. please tell me you were joking ...
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 20:34:56
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 20:34:56
andrew .. series was gone .. and India knew that .... them playing so wasnt to be blamed, and if it was ... I bet you must agree that ozzies were equally pathetic in the first innings ... with scoring rates .. and the lesser spoken about their over rates, the better (indians are no less guilty in these regards).
To cut the story short, both teams played safe .. and we saw a draw. No ways that one team can be blamed (260 in a day in adelaide, please dont tell me they deserve to win !!!!)
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 20:38:51
To cut the story short, both teams played safe .. and we saw a draw. No ways that one team can be blamed (260 in a day in adelaide, please dont tell me they deserve to win !!!!)
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 20:38:51
Ghuram sorry but the Australian playing slow and careful is fine, after all the series was 2-1. Therefore Australia only had to draw to win the series. By playing slow they force India to attack more (costing them runs) or the game draws and India loses the series. The series was not over. India would have shown real "aggression" if they have declared, they would have showed that they have real fire, not just yell insults.
India should have done everything possible to win. When they came out to bat the 2nd time they should have blazed away put on a quick 200-250 and then throw the kitchen sink at the Australian and try to bowl them out. They have some good spinners and spin can win the game on a 5th day pitch as Warne has proved in the past.
Posted by Andrew on 2008-01-28 21:28:48
India should have done everything possible to win. When they came out to bat the 2nd time they should have blazed away put on a quick 200-250 and then throw the kitchen sink at the Australian and try to bowl them out. They have some good spinners and spin can win the game on a 5th day pitch as Warne has proved in the past.
Posted by Andrew on 2008-01-28 21:28:48
Ghurram old son, you missing the point.
Kumble gives a lecture on "playing the game in the right spirit" then grinds out a draw? Surely, the right spirit would dictate agressive cricket, risk taking cricket, backing your teammates cricket,go for the win because a win is ALWAYS better than a draw cricket.
We didn't get that.
One reason the Aussies have been so succesfull is they want it more than the other team & will takes risks to get it.
India must learn this lesson or be just another tean of lazy stars waiting for luck to give them a win now and again.
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-28 21:32:20
Kumble gives a lecture on "playing the game in the right spirit" then grinds out a draw? Surely, the right spirit would dictate agressive cricket, risk taking cricket, backing your teammates cricket,go for the win because a win is ALWAYS better than a draw cricket.
We didn't get that.
One reason the Aussies have been so succesfull is they want it more than the other team & will takes risks to get it.
India must learn this lesson or be just another tean of lazy stars waiting for luck to give them a win now and again.
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-28 21:32:20
oh yeah harry .. i am sorry ...i guess you wanted the indians to sledge this time .. and thats possibly why you have come up with this ridiculous intepretation of "playing the game in the right spirit".
they were quick even in their second innings, 97 runs in the first session ... the eventual rate of 3 reflects the way Kumble and Dhoni batted away towards the end .. coz there was no point in trying to force a result, the aussies were never going to up the tempo themselves on a 5th day, and would have played for a draw (andrew please note, this is what YOU said, the aussies are happy to play for a draw and they have a lead already - a pseudo lead that is).
A 5th day pitch, guys I guess you know how teams play on such a pitch, and if you dont feel the tactics justifiable enuf, then I hope for a neutral look.
I agree Indians were defensive, but so was the other team from the start of their innings. Its tuf to see you agree, but from a neutral perspective, both teams were to be blamed (this is in continuation with my previous post). Hope you get the point atleast now !!!
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 21:56:52
they were quick even in their second innings, 97 runs in the first session ... the eventual rate of 3 reflects the way Kumble and Dhoni batted away towards the end .. coz there was no point in trying to force a result, the aussies were never going to up the tempo themselves on a 5th day, and would have played for a draw (andrew please note, this is what YOU said, the aussies are happy to play for a draw and they have a lead already - a pseudo lead that is).
A 5th day pitch, guys I guess you know how teams play on such a pitch, and if you dont feel the tactics justifiable enuf, then I hope for a neutral look.
I agree Indians were defensive, but so was the other team from the start of their innings. Its tuf to see you agree, but from a neutral perspective, both teams were to be blamed (this is in continuation with my previous post). Hope you get the point atleast now !!!
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 21:56:52
and over anything else .. if hitting a bowler out of the attack isnt aggressive .. then I am surprised at what people deem it to be !!!
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 22:07:04
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 22:07:04
and the last one .. for both harry and andrew
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/333886.html
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 22:08:43
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/333886.html
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-28 22:08:43
We won 16 straight matches
Now we have not won 2 in a row...
Lets hope we win a Test in Pakistan...
Ghurram India should have declared when they were 200 up...
We didnt want to win the game and that is the difference between Steve Waugh and Ponting as captain
Ponting loses the plot when things arent going his way - I have a feeling this is going to be a tough year...
Lawson will have Pakistan ready and we dont have a decent spinner...
Windies - we should win but probably only 2-0
India away from home may well be a drawn series as well
Finally South Africa back here at home - if they sort their batting out will be also up for the challenge - we dont have Warne and that was the key to smashing South Africa as they generally play pace alright...
So lets savour this series win as 2008 might be a tough year...
Hope Haydos plays till he is 40 - there are going to be a quite a few more Adelaide Tests in 2008...
We seemed happy from the start to get the draw and it seemed everyone expected Binga to weave the magic on Day 5...
Why does Ponting underbowl Clark so much, when clearly he is a better bowler than MJ?
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-28 22:29:38
Now we have not won 2 in a row...
Lets hope we win a Test in Pakistan...
Ghurram India should have declared when they were 200 up...
We didnt want to win the game and that is the difference between Steve Waugh and Ponting as captain
Ponting loses the plot when things arent going his way - I have a feeling this is going to be a tough year...
Lawson will have Pakistan ready and we dont have a decent spinner...
Windies - we should win but probably only 2-0
India away from home may well be a drawn series as well
Finally South Africa back here at home - if they sort their batting out will be also up for the challenge - we dont have Warne and that was the key to smashing South Africa as they generally play pace alright...
So lets savour this series win as 2008 might be a tough year...
Hope Haydos plays till he is 40 - there are going to be a quite a few more Adelaide Tests in 2008...
We seemed happy from the start to get the draw and it seemed everyone expected Binga to weave the magic on Day 5...
Why does Ponting underbowl Clark so much, when clearly he is a better bowler than MJ?
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-28 22:29:38
LOL Ghurram believe what you want, but it was a pathetic fizzle of a game to India not even willing to try to take some wickets.
Yes there chance was slim to win the game, but to try would have been sporting and aggressive. Not the cowardly action India did take. When India had a 200 lead.
70.3 Lee to Dhoni, 2 runs, played off the hips towards midwicket to bring up the 50-run partnership, India now lead by 200, if India were to declare now, Australia would have to chase at nearly six runs an over .
It would have been pretty impossible for Australia to manage that, but India if they had any self belief would have tried and declared. India have some good spinners who could troube the Australians all through this game. Defend India all you want but it was pretty pathetic to not even try. After all it was on India who NEEDED to win this match.
Posted by Andrew on 2008-01-28 22:43:27
Yes there chance was slim to win the game, but to try would have been sporting and aggressive. Not the cowardly action India did take. When India had a 200 lead.
70.3 Lee to Dhoni, 2 runs, played off the hips towards midwicket to bring up the 50-run partnership, India now lead by 200, if India were to declare now, Australia would have to chase at nearly six runs an over .
It would have been pretty impossible for Australia to manage that, but India if they had any self belief would have tried and declared. India have some good spinners who could troube the Australians all through this game. Defend India all you want but it was pretty pathetic to not even try. After all it was on India who NEEDED to win this match.
Posted by Andrew on 2008-01-28 22:43:27
Andrew - We didnt want to win the game either...
India is not that good a team - I think our standards have actually dropped..
Our catching cost us this game and it is unusual for that to happen...
I also struggle to think of a time in the last decade where we have consistently struggled to take 20 wickets...
This attack needs time but lets just say the near future doesnt look that good...
Lets get our house back in order playing aggressive crikcet before blaming India - they do no typically play aggressive cricket, or play to win - do not confuse the Dhoni gung-ho T20 team with the older "lazy super stars"
They are used to slow tracks and plenty of draws
Not sure what the whole spirit of cricket has to do with anything - I can be sporting by applauding your hundred, but being sporting does not mean being stupid - Smith is an arrogant fool and the that declaration looked stupid..
Would we have declared if we were in India's position - with Haydos injured (first slip) and Brett Lee couldnt bowl...?
Dont think letting India have a go at 6 an over for 30 overs without Lee is an appealing prospect for any Aussie supporter...
Especially the way Sehwag played Hogg...
Don't even think golden balls could have bowled us to victory mate...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-28 23:08:12
India is not that good a team - I think our standards have actually dropped..
Our catching cost us this game and it is unusual for that to happen...
I also struggle to think of a time in the last decade where we have consistently struggled to take 20 wickets...
This attack needs time but lets just say the near future doesnt look that good...
Lets get our house back in order playing aggressive crikcet before blaming India - they do no typically play aggressive cricket, or play to win - do not confuse the Dhoni gung-ho T20 team with the older "lazy super stars"
They are used to slow tracks and plenty of draws
Not sure what the whole spirit of cricket has to do with anything - I can be sporting by applauding your hundred, but being sporting does not mean being stupid - Smith is an arrogant fool and the that declaration looked stupid..
Would we have declared if we were in India's position - with Haydos injured (first slip) and Brett Lee couldnt bowl...?
Dont think letting India have a go at 6 an over for 30 overs without Lee is an appealing prospect for any Aussie supporter...
Especially the way Sehwag played Hogg...
Don't even think golden balls could have bowled us to victory mate...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-28 23:08:12
Fantastic India. Congratulations on a 2-1 win. (No matter what the official records say I consider Sydney Test in India's favour) India have managed to do so without their frontline bowlers Zaheer and Sreesanth. And they hung on to a comfortable draw with R P Singh and Kumble not able to bowl.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-01-28 23:45:00
Posted by Varghese on 2008-01-28 23:45:00
a draw in this match was as expected in this match as i told you two days before ,didnt i?
so the argument with you guys is that india palyed negative tactics to daw the game isnt it??
sorry to say this mate, me watching cricket for all these years never seen ausies in such a negative mood and mind of frame, they were really scared to loose to put it in brief. those of you who are talking do u ever know why ausies took off stump guard during the firts innings?any answer for that ? pls dont say to counter swing !!!! and punter being in the field scoring 260 per day? had india not bowled them out, aussies would have only declared after lunch on the 5th day !!!!(because atleast a lead of 150 runs are required gentlemen for a side to loose)
and its highly optimistic to bowl out india in just around 70 overs in the 5th day ...
and moreover still ausies would complain that punter should have increased the run rate and declared a bit earlier....
so taking all these into consideration its highly foolish for any captain to let a aussies chase 200 and odd after tea!!! cmon guys now that 20-20 cricket has come into picture any team be it even bangladesh can hit that total in less that 30 overs..ausies would know it better for their match against zimbabwe during the world cup...
So please guys stop complaining about india's negative tactics and enjoy with you beer cos you won the trophy didnt ??
cheers
purush :)
Posted by purush on 2008-01-29 02:53:11
so the argument with you guys is that india palyed negative tactics to daw the game isnt it??
sorry to say this mate, me watching cricket for all these years never seen ausies in such a negative mood and mind of frame, they were really scared to loose to put it in brief. those of you who are talking do u ever know why ausies took off stump guard during the firts innings?any answer for that ? pls dont say to counter swing !!!! and punter being in the field scoring 260 per day? had india not bowled them out, aussies would have only declared after lunch on the 5th day !!!!(because atleast a lead of 150 runs are required gentlemen for a side to loose)
and its highly optimistic to bowl out india in just around 70 overs in the 5th day ...
and moreover still ausies would complain that punter should have increased the run rate and declared a bit earlier....
so taking all these into consideration its highly foolish for any captain to let a aussies chase 200 and odd after tea!!! cmon guys now that 20-20 cricket has come into picture any team be it even bangladesh can hit that total in less that 30 overs..ausies would know it better for their match against zimbabwe during the world cup...
So please guys stop complaining about india's negative tactics and enjoy with you beer cos you won the trophy didnt ??
cheers
purush :)
Posted by purush on 2008-01-29 02:53:11
well said ace i agree you 200%
Posted by purush on 2008-01-29 02:57:46
Posted by purush on 2008-01-29 02:57:46
besides,, this is a rising new indian team and a new low for the ausies ,, ausies have a lot to improve for the future,,, no more 16 test wins in a row..now that gili is also gone and if hayden goes,its something that i cant find a good opener in the ranks of australia..
and let me tell u ,shahid afridi would be licking his lips for this owling attack barring stuart clark and lee.. lee too is not that good in the subcontinent track..but the good news for australia is that pakistan is not sucha good test side but a much better one day unit..bet you would find it this summer there.
and guys the standards are just closing between top teams in the worl right , there is just a slim margin of difference-look at the current england one day team, trust me its a lot better that atleast a team 10 years before,tehy can give a run for money for any team..new zealand too,,,
what i mean to say is that no more hunky dory days for australia and they have to slog it out henceforth unless they get some brilliant players like mc grath,warne ,hayden ,gilli,waugh,martin, its gonna be tough for themm really tough..
Posted by purush on 2008-01-29 03:36:41
and let me tell u ,shahid afridi would be licking his lips for this owling attack barring stuart clark and lee.. lee too is not that good in the subcontinent track..but the good news for australia is that pakistan is not sucha good test side but a much better one day unit..bet you would find it this summer there.
and guys the standards are just closing between top teams in the worl right , there is just a slim margin of difference-look at the current england one day team, trust me its a lot better that atleast a team 10 years before,tehy can give a run for money for any team..new zealand too,,,
what i mean to say is that no more hunky dory days for australia and they have to slog it out henceforth unless they get some brilliant players like mc grath,warne ,hayden ,gilli,waugh,martin, its gonna be tough for themm really tough..
Posted by purush on 2008-01-29 03:36:41
purush dude ... restraint :-). I agree Aussie domination has been challenged, but I just cant think any team who can beat them apart from India and SA (given the fact that the aussies dont have a champion spinner). All other test teams now can even smell a whiff of victory, I bet on that. Sanga and Murali, mebbe great, but 2 dont make a team. And Afridi, I wonder he would feature in the tests ...
Posted by ghurram on 2008-01-29 05:05:51
Posted by ghurram on 2008-01-29 05:05:51
who says india lost the series...if you could think back to the sydney test, it is india who won the test...the aussis played with 14 players and symo playing 5 innings and ponting 3 innnings!!! so the series was won by india
2-1...the whole world knows it! The aussies played for a draw in the first innings...
GOOD GOING INDIA!!!
Posted by rk9 on 2008-01-29 06:25:36
2-1...the whole world knows it! The aussies played for a draw in the first innings...
GOOD GOING INDIA!!!
Posted by rk9 on 2008-01-29 06:25:36
Australia may have just lost Warne, McGrath, Langer and Gilly. But don't forget India are on the verge of losing Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly, Dravid and Kumble - all of whom are no spring chickens. Kumble is the Indian equivalent of Warne - 600 Test wickets. And the other 4 are some of the world's best batsmen. So I wonder how India will fare when all these champions retire.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-29 07:21:29
Posted by JC on 2008-01-29 07:21:29
JC...half the aussies team is in mid30s as well. Only Kumble is really old. The other 4 are still around 34/35 the same like Ponting, Hayden and Hussey! I donno what u guyz are talking!!! India has a solid bench strength and I dont think the same is true with aussies! aussies cant imagine to win over other teams consistently without Hayden, Ponting and Hussey as well...Hayden and Ponting are definitely old and will not last long!
Posted by rk9 on 2008-01-29 10:17:31
Posted by rk9 on 2008-01-29 10:17:31
Well said JC...
Though Laxman is only 33 and Tendulkar is 34...
Ponting is also 33 mate so is he about to retire soon and Haydos is 36 and so is Hogg...
Stuart Clark is 32, so is Hussey and Symmo
and Binga is now 31..
How many of these guys will be around in 4 yrs?
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-29 10:19:45
Though Laxman is only 33 and Tendulkar is 34...
Ponting is also 33 mate so is he about to retire soon and Haydos is 36 and so is Hogg...
Stuart Clark is 32, so is Hussey and Symmo
and Binga is now 31..
How many of these guys will be around in 4 yrs?
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-29 10:19:45
rk9 what bench strength does India have?
I mean Yuvraj is not good enough and I have not seen any of the T20 guys impress in Test cricket...
Sehwag is a big return for you guys - but you still need to find an opening bat - Sinca Gavaskar India has not had a consistent opening combination...
Australia in comparison has Kato and David Hussey waiting for an opportunity scoring thousands of runs....
I think we will start to struggle away from home - at home don't see us losing for a while yet...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-29 10:23:18
I mean Yuvraj is not good enough and I have not seen any of the T20 guys impress in Test cricket...
Sehwag is a big return for you guys - but you still need to find an opening bat - Sinca Gavaskar India has not had a consistent opening combination...
Australia in comparison has Kato and David Hussey waiting for an opportunity scoring thousands of runs....
I think we will start to struggle away from home - at home don't see us losing for a while yet...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-29 10:23:18
1.At the end of the series, 2-1 does not reflect what has happened in the series. Sydney fiasco will always be remembered when this series is talked in future much like Oval fiasco.
2.Aussie Captain says that they have recovered well after the retirement of Warney, McGrach, Langer, Martin etc. Be realistic, Aussies have played only 6 tests after their retirement and that too at home (if I remember correctly). They are still not tested probably in foreign conditions. I sincerely hope they travel to Pakistan with full strength.
3.why Aussies always play SA in back to back series with the first one being played at home? Aussies hit SA hard at home first and it is tough for SA to recover after that.
It may not be Aussies decision to schedule it like that.
4. On the other hand, Indians have tough schedule in 2008 and it is good chance for them to rotate some youngsters with seniors and get them exposed. They need to sort out their opening positions first and come up with some good spinners.
5. I'm eager for Bajji's hearing results
Posted by ms on 2008-01-29 11:55:23
2.Aussie Captain says that they have recovered well after the retirement of Warney, McGrach, Langer, Martin etc. Be realistic, Aussies have played only 6 tests after their retirement and that too at home (if I remember correctly). They are still not tested probably in foreign conditions. I sincerely hope they travel to Pakistan with full strength.
3.why Aussies always play SA in back to back series with the first one being played at home? Aussies hit SA hard at home first and it is tough for SA to recover after that.
It may not be Aussies decision to schedule it like that.
4. On the other hand, Indians have tough schedule in 2008 and it is good chance for them to rotate some youngsters with seniors and get them exposed. They need to sort out their opening positions first and come up with some good spinners.
5. I'm eager for Bajji's hearing results
Posted by ms on 2008-01-29 11:55:23
Alright lads and lasses? Cracking Test series... congratulations to both teams and their supporters for making the past couple of months truly worth remembering, even if not always for the right reasons.
I've read through all the posts. Not that I'm any authority, but I think all of you have good points. I am a proud Indian and while some of you feel that there was no real chance of a result yesterday, I have to say that it was a little sad to see how we went about things after lunch. I understand it would have taken a miracle to bowl Australia out in some 40 overs, but wasn't Perth a miracle too?
Ace, you are absolutely correct in stressing that India not pushing for a win had nothing to do with the spirit of the game. Anybody who thinks that India didn't play in the spirit of the game (at any point during the series for that matter) needs to have their head examined! I do, however, feel that Graeme Smith's declaration which you refer to in one of your posts was not borne out of foolishness or arrogance as much as it was out of desperation. The same way, if India had pushed for the win by slogging in the first hour after lunch and declared leaving Australia 200 odd runs to make in the final three and a half hours, wouldn't it have made more sense for India in the larger scheme of things, regardless of the outcome? Think of it this way... the way we approached the game after lunch yesterday left the possibility of only one result: India lose the series.
Now I know many of you wouldn't agree. But I still feel there's little difference between losing a series 2-1 and losing it 3-1. It reminds me of football goal keepers who invade the opposition's "D" when their own team have won a corner or free kick and are down by just one goal within the last few minutes of a game. Same thought process... the football goalies think, "who gives a hoot whether we lose this match one-nil or two-nil? Go for broke!"
Let me also be very clear that I have absolutely no problem with the negative approach Australia took to winning this match. And if any Indian wants to debate over this, you need not look back any further than the final Test of our last tour of England. For the record, I was fully behind Dravid's tactics on the final day of that series. The Aussies would have been foolish to risk anything yesterday, especially considering the comments from all quarters suggesting that they didn't really earn the victory in Sydney.
India taking a risk would have provided us with the chance - no matter how implausible it is - of creating a miracle. And if you're as lion hearted as Indians, including me, claim to be then you’d probably agree that we didn't do everything we could have done. I’d have been happier being aggressive and losing by 10 wickets than sitting through yesterday's feeble proceedings. Call me foolish, arrogant and aggressive... whatever. I really think, sometimes, that if you don't have those very qualities, you'll never beat Australia.
Something which I think nobody has raised till now has to do with over rates. Australia has been shocking in this department throughout the series and it seems ridiculous that no serious penalty has been imposed. Only 423.5 overs were bowled at Adelaide (say 430 because the match got called of early). We go on about how Test cricket is fading away. Well, what do you expect when teams are permitted to bowl 11 overs per hour? I love Test cricket as a 26 year old, but the delays and unnecessary 'pondering' bowlers and captains are getting me a tad frustrated. So you can only imagine what the kids think!
JC, you raise a good point about the glorious, yet aging five-some of India. I was looking through the SA Test squad that toured India in 1996. Only Herschelle Gibbs (who happened to make his Test debut during that series at Kolkata) remains. On our side all of the five superstars were there then and are still around. It made me think. Will SA be a superior team than India in four year's time, because they'd probably have three very experienced players as opposed to one or two Indians? Will the wheel turn? Whatever happens, I'm confident we'll give them a good hiding when they pay us a visit in March. Anyway, time will tell... ;-)
As for this series, congratulations, Australia!
Looking forward to a good ODI series for purely entertainment purposes as I'm really not too bothered about the outcome of any LOI’s… scrap the crap and let’s play another Test match! :-)
Posted by Mukund on 2008-01-29 11:59:46
I've read through all the posts. Not that I'm any authority, but I think all of you have good points. I am a proud Indian and while some of you feel that there was no real chance of a result yesterday, I have to say that it was a little sad to see how we went about things after lunch. I understand it would have taken a miracle to bowl Australia out in some 40 overs, but wasn't Perth a miracle too?
Ace, you are absolutely correct in stressing that India not pushing for a win had nothing to do with the spirit of the game. Anybody who thinks that India didn't play in the spirit of the game (at any point during the series for that matter) needs to have their head examined! I do, however, feel that Graeme Smith's declaration which you refer to in one of your posts was not borne out of foolishness or arrogance as much as it was out of desperation. The same way, if India had pushed for the win by slogging in the first hour after lunch and declared leaving Australia 200 odd runs to make in the final three and a half hours, wouldn't it have made more sense for India in the larger scheme of things, regardless of the outcome? Think of it this way... the way we approached the game after lunch yesterday left the possibility of only one result: India lose the series.
Now I know many of you wouldn't agree. But I still feel there's little difference between losing a series 2-1 and losing it 3-1. It reminds me of football goal keepers who invade the opposition's "D" when their own team have won a corner or free kick and are down by just one goal within the last few minutes of a game. Same thought process... the football goalies think, "who gives a hoot whether we lose this match one-nil or two-nil? Go for broke!"
Let me also be very clear that I have absolutely no problem with the negative approach Australia took to winning this match. And if any Indian wants to debate over this, you need not look back any further than the final Test of our last tour of England. For the record, I was fully behind Dravid's tactics on the final day of that series. The Aussies would have been foolish to risk anything yesterday, especially considering the comments from all quarters suggesting that they didn't really earn the victory in Sydney.
India taking a risk would have provided us with the chance - no matter how implausible it is - of creating a miracle. And if you're as lion hearted as Indians, including me, claim to be then you’d probably agree that we didn't do everything we could have done. I’d have been happier being aggressive and losing by 10 wickets than sitting through yesterday's feeble proceedings. Call me foolish, arrogant and aggressive... whatever. I really think, sometimes, that if you don't have those very qualities, you'll never beat Australia.
Something which I think nobody has raised till now has to do with over rates. Australia has been shocking in this department throughout the series and it seems ridiculous that no serious penalty has been imposed. Only 423.5 overs were bowled at Adelaide (say 430 because the match got called of early). We go on about how Test cricket is fading away. Well, what do you expect when teams are permitted to bowl 11 overs per hour? I love Test cricket as a 26 year old, but the delays and unnecessary 'pondering' bowlers and captains are getting me a tad frustrated. So you can only imagine what the kids think!
JC, you raise a good point about the glorious, yet aging five-some of India. I was looking through the SA Test squad that toured India in 1996. Only Herschelle Gibbs (who happened to make his Test debut during that series at Kolkata) remains. On our side all of the five superstars were there then and are still around. It made me think. Will SA be a superior team than India in four year's time, because they'd probably have three very experienced players as opposed to one or two Indians? Will the wheel turn? Whatever happens, I'm confident we'll give them a good hiding when they pay us a visit in March. Anyway, time will tell... ;-)
As for this series, congratulations, Australia!
Looking forward to a good ODI series for purely entertainment purposes as I'm really not too bothered about the outcome of any LOI’s… scrap the crap and let’s play another Test match! :-)
Posted by Mukund on 2008-01-29 11:59:46
Aussies won the series and India won the hearts.
Only a statistian will respect Australia for winning the series while a true cricket fan will always support India. Before starting the series many hypists like Stuart Clark gave prediction Australia will win 4-0 while they lost the 3rd test within 4 days. They couldn't win the last test also thus failing to win 2 tests in a row. We all know how they won the 2nd test in Sydney. Australia can win only if they sledge and bribe the umpires.
Posted by Rdx on 2008-01-29 14:40:59
Only a statistian will respect Australia for winning the series while a true cricket fan will always support India. Before starting the series many hypists like Stuart Clark gave prediction Australia will win 4-0 while they lost the 3rd test within 4 days. They couldn't win the last test also thus failing to win 2 tests in a row. We all know how they won the 2nd test in Sydney. Australia can win only if they sledge and bribe the umpires.
Posted by Rdx on 2008-01-29 14:40:59
Well for starters, Mukund, it was me who said that it was a ridiculous claim to say that India didnt play within the spirit of the game ... credit to me for that please :-)
Its interesting an observation in the posts above, as to who would fare better in the next 4 years in tests. The logic that people would retire and so on is absolutely valid. The order in which Indians might retire is as Kumble, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman and Sachin (though Sachin is older than Laxman). And I believe this would be a phase by process --- but yeah common sense and BCCI are antonyms.
Anyways, SA as the world's best could be a joke. They have a battery of pace bowlers, but that simply isnt sufficient to win abroad, leave their own backyard (they lost to WI, isnt that absurd ???). I feel its Australia and India at the top for atleast 3 years, with the challenge possibly coming from SL or SA. The others are miles away ...
Pommies, no way they can win on a consistent basis with their present team. However, with the return of a few stalwarts (which I doubt), they stand a chance. Interesting to see how Ashes 09 pans out.
NZ, WI, Pakistan -- remote chances to establish as supremos.
Bangla -- the lesser said the better !!!
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-29 16:19:06
Its interesting an observation in the posts above, as to who would fare better in the next 4 years in tests. The logic that people would retire and so on is absolutely valid. The order in which Indians might retire is as Kumble, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman and Sachin (though Sachin is older than Laxman). And I believe this would be a phase by process --- but yeah common sense and BCCI are antonyms.
Anyways, SA as the world's best could be a joke. They have a battery of pace bowlers, but that simply isnt sufficient to win abroad, leave their own backyard (they lost to WI, isnt that absurd ???). I feel its Australia and India at the top for atleast 3 years, with the challenge possibly coming from SL or SA. The others are miles away ...
Pommies, no way they can win on a consistent basis with their present team. However, with the return of a few stalwarts (which I doubt), they stand a chance. Interesting to see how Ashes 09 pans out.
NZ, WI, Pakistan -- remote chances to establish as supremos.
Bangla -- the lesser said the better !!!
Posted by Ghurram on 2008-01-29 16:19:06
Makund, great post, it shows not all Indian fans are looking at the game through rose coloured glasses & at least some of them have a grasp of the game beyond blind patriotism.
It is such a shame that the Indian team ( and administration ) has spent the best part of ten years fighting amongst themselves instead of using the stunning talent in that team to build a CONSISTANT winning machine.
As an Aussie fan, all I want are teams that are going to make us fight hard in every game not 2/5 or 1/4.
I think the retirement of your Big 5 may hurt your chances far far more than you would hope.
Cheers
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-29 17:59:30
It is such a shame that the Indian team ( and administration ) has spent the best part of ten years fighting amongst themselves instead of using the stunning talent in that team to build a CONSISTANT winning machine.
As an Aussie fan, all I want are teams that are going to make us fight hard in every game not 2/5 or 1/4.
I think the retirement of your Big 5 may hurt your chances far far more than you would hope.
Cheers
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-29 17:59:30
Looks like it is free Bhajji...
Can't say I am suprised by that outcome will be interested to hear what the basis for the verdict is...
Ironically India might have been better off if he was banned ;)
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-29 20:59:44
Can't say I am suprised by that outcome will be interested to hear what the basis for the verdict is...
Ironically India might have been better off if he was banned ;)
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-29 20:59:44
its so funny !!!!some of you guys can be die hard fans of cricket but ultimately its a captains decision based on the on field situation whats happening...just because you want to watch an interesting session it doesnt make sense for a captain to pump up his chest and say il go all out no matter what!!
please when u say this -just try to relate the same situation in corporate world i mean ur work place and u would get a solution for that . i guess next time kumble and punter would take their telephones and ring up and say " H A R R Y could you please tell me when to declare and how to go about my innings?"
Posted by purush on 2008-01-30 04:03:39
please when u say this -just try to relate the same situation in corporate world i mean ur work place and u would get a solution for that . i guess next time kumble and punter would take their telephones and ring up and say " H A R R Y could you please tell me when to declare and how to go about my innings?"
Posted by purush on 2008-01-30 04:03:39
Australia can win only if they sledge and bribe the umpires.
Rdx
You sir are an idiot...
Posted by Mike_Hunt on 2008-01-30 11:18:42
Rdx
You sir are an idiot...
Posted by Mike_Hunt on 2008-01-30 11:18:42
Purush,
I wait with baited breath.
When the phone rings I'll tell 'em both, " Go for the win, go for the throat at all times, DO NOT BE GIRLY MEN!!"
Ooops.... got to go, the phone is ringing.
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-30 21:19:11
I wait with baited breath.
When the phone rings I'll tell 'em both, " Go for the win, go for the throat at all times, DO NOT BE GIRLY MEN!!"
Ooops.... got to go, the phone is ringing.
Posted by HARRY on 2008-01-30 21:19:11
haha, i gues punter heard ur advice probably and won the t20
Posted by purush on 2008-02-04 04:08:14
Posted by purush on 2008-02-04 04:08:14
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