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Australia vs India, 2nd Test, Day 5

While many of yesterday's comments are obsessing over Monkeygate II, I'm more interested in the cricket which has been enthralling. Day 4 started with Australia rolling along comfortably until India struck twice just before lunch. Hussey and Hayden counter-attacked until Harbhajan took two more quick wickets. Classic, seesawing Test cricket!

Normally Australia would go for the win, particularly as they're only 10 Indian wickets away from equalling the Record That Must Not Be Named. But the Tendulkar/Harbhajan partnership, the suffocating bowling from the Indian spinners yesterday and the rain have nearly taken an Australian victory out of the equation. Nearly but not quite. Last year, Australia manufactured a win out of nothing at Adelaide. But then, the Indians are made of sterner stuff than the English.

So we enter Day 5 with all 4 results theoretically possible. Australia could collapse or declare, setting a chaseable target. Some of Indian's big guns like Yuvraj or Dhoni might finally fire - an ambitious run chase is the kind of thing that might help them kick their form slump. More likely is Australia will bat for the draw, only giving themselves a slight chance of bowling out the Indians. It's a sound tactical decision - we maintain a 1-nil lead in the series and records be damned. But I'll be keeping an eye out in case something crazy happens.

Live score here
Posted by JC on Sun 6 Jan 272 comments
India have rarely survived in excess of 70 overs in the 4th innings of a test match. If Australia set a target of 300+ with 70 odd over to go; which is very much possible, India will lose. Not Hogg, not the pitch but the pressure will do them in.

The only way I see India wining is if they wrap up the Australian innings in the next 50 runs and chase down a tantalizing 275.
Posted by Golandaaz on 2008-01-06 09:51:50
Ponting declares giving India 5 minutes to bat before lunch. A little later than I would've liked. On the plus side, another red inker for Mr Cricket although he didn't bat for a not out at all. Pushes his average back up to around 85.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-06 12:16:06
Andrew Symonds given not out in the 30s and went on to make 160 odd in the 1st innings saving australia the insult of being bowled under 200..Mike Hussey given not out when he was in his 20s in the 2nd innings and went on to make 145..symonds not given out again in the 2nd innings..then comes the "caught behind" decision of Rahul Dravid..it just doesnt end does it?? why dont bucknor and his partner officially join the australian team...truly sad to see such pathetic umpiring which seems to just help one team...
Posted by VS on 2008-01-06 16:09:16
Bucknor!!

Am deeply saddened to see ANOTHER howler from Bucknor. Congrats to Dravid for some Gandhigiri in not getting angry!

Australia PLEASE don't win like this...please! I think their reputation will be intact if this ends in a draw. If Aus win, which is most likely to happen, the media, esp. up here will go gunning for Bucknor, thats for sure. I could pick up that Dravid dismissal from home on TV!

Look, I'm not like others alleging that there is match-fixing and all such crap, but there should be some sort of regular testing of umpires going on to see if they remain match fit.

This is the first time I'm seeing this many poor dicisions in just one game. Frankly I think the age limit for umps should be 60 at the max, and me being on the anti-technology bandwagon for so long, well, this test match has got me thinking a little. Lets hope this is a one-off.

What makes it sadder is that this was a match between 22 of the worlds best, but it looks like 13 v 11 at the moment...
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-01-06 16:12:04
cheating seems to be the part of australia's national character. bhajji should be punished b'cos he insulted monkeys.
Posted by sanjay on 2008-01-06 16:22:53
Looking at the dismissals of Dravid & Ganguly,
I feel that the umpires should be given a hard kick and never called for any more matches and should be publicly humilated.

Ponting & Gilchrist who they show as icons of truth are nothing but leaders of cheats. Calling them monkeys is an insult to monkeys.
Posted by manishs on 2008-01-06 16:49:25
yes i am the non playing captain of australia!
Posted by bucknor on 2008-01-06 16:51:56
Dont forget me. I am the non playing vice captain of australia!
Posted by Benson on 2008-01-06 16:53:15
We are going at a shocker-a-minute here.

Replays show Clarke grounded the ball after diving and just before he threw it up in the air.

I don't understand why they cant go to the 3rd umpire when they have the provision? Well, maybe because Mr. Oxenford himself is capable of making mistakes as he showed on Day 1.

I really love this quote from SKY TV's Charles Colvile- "How can the third umpire not see that? He's not got anything to do other than watch TV." reffering to that Symonds stumping appeal on Day 1.

Also Sunil Gavaskar has a point. When Ponting doesn't walk and is being dishonest as a batsman, how can you trust him as a fielder? Clarke too, didn't walk when he hit the ball to slip! And you ask him whether he caught it or not? Not just Clarke, who ever in this situation would say no?
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-01-06 16:53:18
Seems that the umpires have taken a good amount of money from Aussies. There is no other exlpanation for so many wrong decision one after another and that too for Indians !!! What say guys
Posted by MANI on 2008-01-06 16:54:23
shame on umpires on asking clarke for taking decision whether dada is out or not.....shame on aussies ....thats why they win all their games by cheating.......cheaters
Posted by cheat er clarke on 2008-01-06 16:58:27
had a great respect for aussie attitude not now
Posted by aussiercheater on 2008-01-06 17:00:38
Buckenor...is shame to cricketig umpries.....giving always wrond decisions....against indians........... he is old...and batter look after the cricket matches of his grandchildrens in carriebean islands..... or should better go to doctor for a eye check........
Posted by buck+en+out on 2008-01-06 17:02:55
I think ICC should conduct a enquiry and ban the umpires & aussie crickets involved in this organised crime against cricket.

If there is no intervention then it would mean that even ICC is a part of this.

An apeal to all cricket lovers to move ICC
Posted by JUDGE on 2008-01-06 17:03:01
aussies cricketers are shame to cricket fraternity..... taking gentleman's game to disrepute...... what the hell they think of themselves......... they can win matches ..... boooooooooooooooooooooooo................... shame shame ...... Mr ponting
Posted by assies on 2008-01-06 17:05:51
Australia Vs India – 2008
2nd test - Sydney

Hey guys,

All you there who follow cricket..!

There is no one more passionate about cricket than Indians,

So, am I wrong when I say that we should not play with cheats…..
Of course, who else, I mean the Australians..

First day, Andrew Symonds does not walk.. I understand its no cake walk... but it certainly proves the dude’s honesty… especially when agrees to it later…!

Second, Singh is a racist…

Well… well… a Sardar brought up in Punjab post independence is a racist.
He has been through all the terrorism and experienced the toughest terrains of war in Asia is a racist…!
He who knows history and lives in a secular nation with about a 1000 castes and creeds and entertains a Muslim or a Hindu as his own brother is a racist.

Believe it….?
Well, I don’t..!

Who knows,… Australians only known for their beer and white skin understand racism better probably..

Icing on the cake…
Final day of 2nd test at Sydney…

Rahul Dravid is out?
Yuvraj Singh is out?
Saurav Ganguly is out?

Well… bad umpiring..
I don’t think so..

If the quality of umpiring is poor…
Why should it go only the Australian way….?
The umpiring is fixed…. Who knows… could be..!

Betting?
Don’t know…
But after what Sunil Gavaskar says…
I wouldn’t agree with him more..


Australians are cheats and to the core including the captain.
He grounds a catch and appeals… (Dhoni)

Clark (4th day) does not walk when he sees the catch is being taken while batting and he grounds the ball and says Ganguly is out… Ponting certifies.. believe it or not.. the captain..!

Well,… Well

Sorry, Chappels, Borders and Waughs…
But, Ricky is no comparison and has brought Australian cricket to disrepute and probably ended up inculcating cheating in the dressing room…

The baggy cap no longer rules and if it does, it does so by crook..

Should India boycott the series…
High time the powers to be decided…!

value4money
Posted by Anil on 2008-01-06 17:17:19
bucknor,benson umpires,wrong decisions etc are the expressions that seem to be reverberating all through out india.

curses and malediction dont work no more.
It just seems insane.
Quoting the over-used cliche from Shakespeare"to err is human forgiving is divine".
Forgive benson and buknor(atleast for now)
But i dont think i would forgive those who MADE Bucknor & Benson commit that err.
Bucknor benson started the fire but the aussies seem to add coal to it with every passing ball.
If they blow their heads out for every single delivery umpiring becomes a nightmare.Every close in fielder goes up even(i spotted ponting a few times) if the ball is a truck's gap between the bat ball or the bat and pad.

I seriously detest the aussies attitude.Yes they are closing in on a record,a milestone agreed agreed but i dont think that calls for you to appeal for one pitch catch(clarke dint know why he was appealing he jsut went up as soon as gilli caught the ball)and things like that.

I belive most aussies should be fined for UNREASONABLE APPEALING.

the result is immaterial rite now,but if the aussies do win the match most people would be saying the best team did not win.
Posted by vishnu on 2008-01-06 18:09:05
Symonds out - 3 times
Dravid Not out: Ball didnt touch any damn thing
Jaffer out of a no ball
Sauruv Catch floored atleast shld have gone to the 3rd umpire: What for he is there: Warming his chair & l ic king
OZZ ARE CHEATER CHEATERS
Posted by SID on 2008-01-06 18:17:53
To quote Shakespeare "England created cricket, Australia are best at it, India are trying to ruin it."
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 18:18:47
Ozzie Healy-
Australia are the best at cricket. Yes. I wonder if you know why you'd think India is trying to ruin it? Would it be because Australian cricketers are claiming catches that aren't. Or would it be because the Australian team is complaining about being sledged after practically inventing the term? Or would it be because it's the only thing you could come up with?
Posted by Casper on 2008-01-06 18:27:22
RP Singh should have got benefit of the doubt
Posted by KK on 2008-01-06 18:33:10
Australia win a classic. Bad luck India, you tried hard, but to no avail. The Border-Gavaskar trophy is ours. CRIKEY!!!!!!
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 18:37:20
You'd think the cheating buggers had won the World Cup the way they're celebrating.

Next time perhaps India might get an umpire who doesn't make two of the worst decisions (Dravid and Symonds) in recent memory.

And none of this talk ever again about Gilchrist's sportmanship...the way he jumped up to claim Dravid's wicket will live long in the memory.
Posted by Zippo on 2008-01-06 18:39:23
And they give the man-of-the-match to the man who didn't have the character to walk when he knew he was out.

I don't know whether it's meant to be funny, but it isn't.
Posted by Zippo on 2008-01-06 18:43:03
Now, we are expected to believe 'Umpire' Ricky Ponting and his other cheats as witnesses against Bhajji on the racist hearing.
Posted by SB on 2008-01-06 18:44:00
It is true to say, talent should always win out.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 18:44:06
Let us beatify St. Gilchrist
Posted by SB on 2008-01-06 18:45:26
Look if you don't edge balls, no one can catch (or not) them. So well bowled Australia. They created chances and on the last day that's the least you must do. Having said that, sneaking the wicket of Dravid thanks to Bucknor ultimately proved decisive. After that the dam was breached and except for Dhoni and Kumble, no one had the stomach or the skill for a fight. The time Dravid was eating out of the game would've been enough to draw the test.
India have reason enough to feel robbed in broad daylight. But they would just be another in a long list of teams that have been done in by the umpiring when playing in Australia. That's simply because the Aussies create enough chances and as such exert enough pressure on both the batsmen and the umpires to get them to make mistakes.
4-0 looks a distinct possibility.
Posted by Casper on 2008-01-06 18:50:58
Fair comments Casper.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 18:54:55
I am just wondering what the Aussie reaction would have been if a similar case had happenned in India and 7-8 decisions gone in favour of India,
Posted by Saurabh on 2008-01-06 18:55:53
If australians are best cricket team, why they have to cheat for catches and appeals. Remember west indians when they were on song in 80's and early 90's. They were like a model for good honest cricket. How many times richards walked out even empire has not given out.
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 18:59:53
Good comment Casper...I agree. Have to teach my kids now that it's not just about playing against the other team, it's about playing against the umpires as well.
Posted by Zippo on 2008-01-06 19:04:17
India choked, plain and simple. Very poor batting by India - how did they managed to lose this one??????

Umpiring? Wait until you're given - that's the law.

Appealing?: appeal as many times as you want - umpire will adjudicate - that's the law.

Classic captaincy by Ponting with Roy and Pup bearing down while umpiring misdemeanours always even out. This is a victory which will remain in the memory for a long, long time.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:04:29
Well the Australians and the umpires defeated India. An excellent game overall - but marred because of some very poor umpiring at very crucial moments of the game. After 120 tests, perhaps its time for Bucknor to hang up the 'ball counter'.

I cant say the Australians have won me over...in fact if anything i dislike them even more! A shame too, that this particulat test - with all its controversies (with an emphasis on a bias to Australia) should make the last two tests dead-rubbers. It would have been great had India gone up (for the draw)

I felt that India were the better team overall - and deserved the draw. But thats the way the wicket crumbles....
Posted by Crypto on 2008-01-06 19:05:00
All this comment about the Aussies cheating, and especially Symonds not walking, but everyone seems to have forgotten that Ponting was given out when he should not have been.

Look at the whole game people.
Posted by troy on 2008-01-06 19:05:27
Dear virtualgaz you will realise the things, when all these will come in your way. Hope you will see them also.
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 19:07:59
hey finally a spirit less and a big cheat team of ponting wins...............congratulations to them on winning 16 in a row.......do you guys think will they be able to do this in good right spirit??? they have always cheated in past and will in future
Posted by shah on 2008-01-06 19:08:16
this is a fake match which is played to give australian children a false impression that they are champs. but sorry buddies even australian children will not take it if they see the footage of umpiring decisions. you yourself have let down your country for mere a cricket match.
Posted by kn on 2008-01-06 19:11:10
Dear troy, Ponting is out long before he has been given LBW for edged ball.
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 19:11:27
Dear Fanatic, I have no idea what your point is, so see Casper's post for further information.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:13:12
I'm gonna get JC a hundred posts on this thread...

Kumble has just hinted during a post-loss interview that he blames umpiring for the loss, not the terrible Indian 2nd Inns batting!

Another Indian for the disciplinary hearing?
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:17:57
Harbhajan's post wicket celebrations show his true character.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 19:17:59
Look, I'm an Aussie cricket fan, and I was honestly hoping India could salvage the draw for the good of the game. I agree there were a lot of poor decisions, but they didn't all go Australia's way. But I am starting to wonder if this is the indian cricket supporters blog??
The fact is Australia did win this game, where there was absolutely nothing between the teams. Call them cheats or not, I would like to congratulate them. Does anyone know where they are off to after the game?
Posted by Troy on 2008-01-06 19:18:13
NEWSFLASH..... NEWSFLASH..... NEWSFLASH.....
I have it on good authority that India threw the match.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:20:31
Symonds should hand the Man of the Match award to Bucknall - let off on 30 in first innings, lbw first ball let off in second innings and then the wicket of Dravid.

Australian cricket has not been about sportsmanship for the last 10 years. Win at all costs. Have to respect the never say die attitude but they do seem to get the decisions in their favour at crucial moments. The umpires cost India the chance of drawing this game and keeping the series alive.

And Troy - while ponting wasn't our lbw in the first innings he should have been out 30 runs earlier when he gloved to the keeper. So one bad decision didn't quite cancel out another.

All in all, what should have been a great test match has left a bitter taste in the mouth for anyone who isn't a one-eyed Australian sports fan.
Posted by dc on 2008-01-06 19:20:35
If caspers's theory is correct, I am saying you may have to face the same and then you realize what is creating chances and what is getting chances by cheating. Who said australians are not good at cricket. What I am saying is then why they have to cheat.
CHEATER NUMBER 1: SYMMONDS
CHEATER NUMBER 2: PONTING
CHEATER NUMBER 3: CLARKE
CHEATER NUMBER 4: BUCKNOR
CHEATER NUMBER 5: BENSON
CHEATER NUMBER 6: GILLCHRIST
CHEATER NUMBER 7: REMAINING AUSSY TEAM
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 19:21:20
There is a lot of one eyed moaning from the Indian supporters.

Yes there were a few poor decisions that went against you. But there were a few that went the other way that you have conveniently forgotten. The fact that Tendulkar had a very lucky lbw deceision given in his favour off the bowling of Michael Clarke when around 40 for instance had a large bearing on the match and it is very convenient for you to forget it.

I remember when Australia lost the Ashes to England in 2005,how many poor decisions I thought went against Australia. Roughly 30 to England's 5 over the whole series. I realise it was because there was far better bowling and batting from the English side. As a result the weight of appealing was in England's favour due to their good bowling. Still Damien Martyn must have been absolutely sick of getting out that series every time he belted the ball with thick inside edges into his pads.

Our poor bowling, fielding (many dropped catches) and batting during the 2005 Ashes series had far more to do with the loss than the huge amount of poor decisions in England's favour.

Australia's immensely superior batting and bowling in both second innings of this match were the reasons for the victory.
Posted by Craig on 2008-01-06 19:22:46
Pass the peanuts, its time for 17 in a row!
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 19:24:49
There was one catch ponting took which hit the ground which he pretended to pick up and then appealled for it. What does that say to the rest of the world ? It says please please umpire mate, I'll lick your b@lls for the rest of your life if you give this one out, no one will notice this one, considering you've given so many crappy decisions already. I really need to win this to equal the real australian captain Steve Waugh's real laurels. But when I am asked in the interview whether I wanted to get this 16th consecutive win, I'll just pretend that it was never in my mind. In fact I'll be such a pr1ck that I won't even appreciate the other side's prowess of hanging in the game until the last minute and making me chew my toe nails. I just want to win, even if that means I have to lie that Clarke took that catch off Ganguly, people should take my word for it. I am so honorable I can push the BCCI chief off the pedestal while holding the cup, infact my record is so clean, I can even say Murali Kartik should have walked when he nicked one to the keeper in that India-Aus game, but hey you should understand I make those rules, Symonds was called a Monkey in India, so he needn't walk when out, infact Dravid should walk when the ball nicked his pad. And hey do you know, the umpires offered us to take the light on the fourth day with 4 overs remaining, and we decided in the best spirit of the game to take it, because the opposing side must have been tired taking 2 wickets in a row. In fact tonight I am inviting all of you to an 0rgy with Symonds and Bucknor, we just love each other, Benson maybe, oh well he can come too.
Posted by Sym0ndsBl0wsBuckn0r on 2008-01-06 19:27:34
Hello buddies who are still supporting the corrupt umpires and the aussie cheats...what else do you need? It's not the matter of just winning...win it right. Cricket is a gentleman's game...but no longer...the ricky dick pointing is ruining the name of the once gr8 aussies. I am really sad that aussie cricket is falling down in such a way. The land of the great Sir Don is no longer the king of cricket. Even the ICC rankings are messed up...forget the Indian team...they are much better and talented team...the aussie cheats cannot even win over the an ordinary srilankan team fair and square...hope u remember the wrong decision on kumar sangakkara!!!!
Hey JC dude, since I am far away in US, I cannot do anything...u being in the aussie land should atleast go to a live match and tell ur aussie cheats to play fair and square and win it...not just rob the opposition. I have great respect for you....hope u would do that.
Check for my article on
http://bandazbuzz.blogspot.com by tomm
Posted by Raghu on 2008-01-06 19:27:39
Hey, what are they like, some of these Indian supporters...

At the end of the day, as pointed out by a few, you make your own luck in this game.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:28:15
Hang on, I thought it was the Aussie umpires which were cheates, not the West Indian ones... MAKE YERS MINDS UP!
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:29:52
Did you see how quickly Yuvraj left after edging the ball. I don't think he even looked at the umpire. I think his attitude has been adjusted.

What about Dhoni's catch - what a cracker!

I like that RP Singh bloke, he had a smile leaving the field - must of hurt like hell - that's cricket.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-06 19:32:16
Luck is not a synonym of cheat. May be in your dictionary.
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 19:32:34
Virtualgaz - make your own luck with regards to dodgy upiring decisions...just how do you do that? I dont think the context is appropriate in this case for the 'make your own luck' comment...in rugby, or football - sure..you can - by being attentive, and having presence of mind when the bounce of the ball goes askew and you are there - being 'johnny-on-the-spot'...but in the case of very poor and suspect umpiring decisions?...luck hasnt got anything to do with it. Sure, you could argue, what comes around, goes around...but sheesh - not even the pope could comfortably and in a saintly fashion accept the umpiring goings on in this game..its unfortunate that match affecting decisions were made at least twice in Australias favour.

I love cricket - but i dont believe the game was played on an even footing. I am not suggesting anything untowards...but just suggesting that the Indians and Indian supporters have every right to feel cheated.
Posted by Crypto on 2008-01-06 19:36:20
well said Crypto
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 19:39:08
I don't care what happened in the game, I just enjoyed Ponting's dismissal thoroughly and the celebration Harbhajan did. That was priceless, that should be shown to Ponting over and over again. All this irrespective of what happens to Harbhajan after the hearing. As long as he got under the aussie team's skin, which he clearly did, I'm glad.
Posted by Sym0ndsBl0wsBuckn0r on 2008-01-06 19:41:16
I was going to say what a fantastic match, what a spirited effort by the Indians considering the bad luck with umpiring decisions, what a thrilling climax made possible in now small way by the stubborn, whole-hearted Indian batting performance....

But, having read the vitriolic rantings and ravings of bloggers here purporting to be Indian supporters, you can go and get stuffed.
You are a bunch of wankers. Period.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2008-01-06 19:42:07
Crypto, as Casper just posted, India continually gave chances today. Call this bad batting or great bowling, it's up to you - I rather favour the fact that Australia made their luck (where the ump gave a dodgy).

I've been watching tests (and cricket) since 1972/3 and this happens all the time - jubilation by the winning team and desperation by the losing team.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:43:28
How funny it is Man of the Match to Symmonds, who is out three times in his 160 odd and remain not out, and got two biased decisions in bowling. And some one(Virtualgaz) is saying "I've been watching tests (and cricket) since 1972/3 and this happens all the time - jubilation by the winning team and desperation by the losing team." I dont think this is usual.
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 19:48:05
It was daylight robbery. Two onfield umpires plus a third umpire combined with some dishonest aussie cricketers robbed India of this game. At th eleast an enquiry should be conducted on whether this match was fixed by umpires. A shame to cricket. If they have any sense of self respect this team should fly back tonight.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-01-06 19:49:50
Hey...being an aussie guy, I still feel that we won the game after cheating the indians. our guyz ponting and others should learn from the indians and walk away one they knew they are out. I cannot see the aussie reputation getting bad in such a way...aussie guyz...grow up and play a fair game. The result of 2-0 is unfair...it should have been 1-1.
Posted by aussie guy on 2008-01-06 19:51:15
You are correct Varghese
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 19:51:18
assies ............. or i mean aussies ..... have shown their true colours...they complain against an indian making racial remarks..... why don'y they see their own countrymen who make racial remarks themselves on people coming from asian and african subcontinent....
Posted by fir_an_g on 2008-01-06 19:53:22
check bandazbuzz.blogspot.com for some fair blogging...
Posted by blogger on 2008-01-06 19:54:37
Symonds is turning into a top shelf test player. His bowling in the last innings was crucial. Let off in the 1st batting innings, no doubt about it but great players make letoffs pay and he did that in spades. The 2nd innnings was also crucial and there's little doubt he wasn't out lbw 1st ball, even the Indian commentator and other commentators on ABC radio agreed.

Wee done Roy, well deserved Man Of The Match!
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 19:57:40
virtualgaz - "I've been watching tests (and cricket) since 1972/3 and this happens all the time" - well good for you...who hasnt. Just because it happens, doesnt mean we have to accept it...indeed - with additional technology, it should be much less than it was...and by your own admission, and after what we have witnessed..it isnt.

Its 2-0 the Australians, they won...but can anyone honestly say, that pound-for-pound they were the better team? The only fair outcome in this case was a draw...but alas - history will indicate otherwise.

For the Indians - Sehwag needs to be brought in, and Zaheer needs to be fit...Sreesanth perhaps?

On to Perth...
Posted by Crypto on 2008-01-06 19:58:17
Should Symonds share his man of the match aweard with Bucknall - without his help he'd have scored 30 in the first, 0 in the second and not have claimed the crucial wicket of Dravid in the 4th innings to turn the match.

And why is anyone expecting Australia to be sporting - they haven't been for 10 years and Ponting has never been (although occcasionally writes a codes of conduct which he then discards when under pressure). I was at the MCG ten years ago for an ODI when he was caught but refused to take the fielder's word and because TV replays were inconclusive (they usually are for outfield catches) he was let off and went on to score a century. Nothing has changed. He's a fantastic batsmen but will never be considered a great sportsman.
Posted by dc on 2008-01-06 19:58:43
www.cricket-blog.com is the only place to blog old son.

I don't blog anywhere else - QED.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 19:59:48
Hi,

The aussies always want to win game at any any cost ....... by cheating also.... today it seemed like some children playing a gully cricket ... yelling at all balls to force the umpries to give batsman out........ what a shame...these guys dont know how to treat visitors.........sad.....man ........ u can win a test match by cheating.... but ultimately ..... these guys are bringing bad name to gentleman game......... cricket autralia should try to act tough and tell these players to behave well..... even when they came to indian ..they treated Sharad Pawar (BCCI President) very badly...it does not means that these guys are good performer in cricket nowdays that we should ingnore their shitty acts.....shame on these guys and more shame on aussie captain..... reacting sharply on being asked.......dude !!!! what the hell u think of urself
Posted by ullu_symonds on 2008-01-06 20:00:13
I don't have anything against the Australian team. They play quite superbly and are a quality bunch. I must say, their aggression & determination are quite admirable. However, the fact that they appeal on decisions which are quite obviously not out, goes against them. Dravid's dismissal was not out - quite obvious to anyone watching the game. Similarly, referring Ganguly's decision to Ponting (*cough*cheat*cough*) was the most outrageous action ever taken by an onfield umpire. It might be that India may still have lost the match even without these decisions, however the fact that a world champion side has to resort to such distasteful measures to win a match is what makes this win undeserving for Australia.
Posted by rhm on 2008-01-06 20:01:34
aussies should be banned...specially ricky ponting from cricket matches...wasy he showed his true colours today
Posted by shameless_ricky on 2008-01-06 20:01:49
assies........... booooooooooooooo.booooooooo
Posted by assies on 2008-01-06 20:03:01
blogger, interesting thoughts you have on bandazbuzz.blogspot.com:
the ausSie team still wants to live that dream despite unhealthy measures and the one form they have adapted it to bribe the uMPires. This is such a big scam that the whole of Cricket Australia is involved and the stupid idiotic BCCI just keeps quiet! The ICC is driven and controlled by CA and only GOD can save the cricket world!

I hope the cricket GOD SACHIN TENDULKAR comes out and makes a statement both with his bat and mouth!!!

BAN playing in australia...and ban the corrupt uMPires.
Hmm, not sure whether "fair blogging" is quite an accurate representation.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-06 20:03:19
Is there any Indian fan out there who isn't a whinging little bitch?
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-06 20:06:53
Both umpired have taken bribes 4 sure. No question about it. All the bad desicions happened at crucial moments. Even R.P.Singh was not LBW in the end. I want to show a wicket up both umpires ass's. And who can forget the honesty of Australian players. Go Baggy Green.
Posted by Sonny on 2008-01-06 20:06:55
Congrats AU! With Bucknor on the side, and Four wrong declarations against Indians, it was not a fair win. Ponting and his men played Rugby and not cricket. They should maintain their self respect and reject offers from India to play local cricket.BCCI should hit back and lodge complaints agaonst Umpires who were specially endowed and need rehabilitation.
Posted by Shrinagesh on 2008-01-06 20:07:19
Aussies Sweet Sixteen

Part-time spinner Michael Clarke has emerged as the unlikely hero as Australia pulled off a stunning victory over India in the second Test at the SCG.

Clarke, who had never taken a Test wicket in Australia, took three late scalps as the visitors were bowled out for 210, nine minutes before stumps on the last day.

He finished with the remarkable figures of 3-5 off 1.5 overs

The win gives Australia a record-equalling 16th consecutive Test victory and ensures Ricky Ponting's men retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Indians looked like holding on for a honourable draw when they moved to within 10 overs of a draw.

But Clarke's introduction turned a remarkable game on its ear.

India lost its last three wickets with the score on 210, leaving brave skipper Anil Kumble unbeaten on 45.

The visitors needed 333 from a minimum of 72 overs when their run chase began just before lunch on the last day.

But wickets began falling frequently with the Indians looking in deep trouble when they slumped to 6-137.

Batting out the remaining overs became the focus - a task Kumble and MS Dhoni (35) took on and almost completed.

Dhoni was out lbw in the 62nd over, unwisely padding up to off-spinner Symonds (3-51) who emerged as an a major threat on the wearing pitch.

Harbhajan Singh (seven) stayed with his skipper for several overs but when he edged Clarke to Hussey at slip it precipitated a late innings collapse.

RP Singh (0) was out lbw first ball and rookie No 11 Ishant Sharma (0) lasted just two balls before he offered Hussey a catch off Clarke.

The Australians mobbed Clarke as the sizeable last-day crowd lapped up a marvellous win.

SSSSWWWWEEEETTTTT!!!!
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 20:08:05
Hmmm, thats interesting, this blog just deleted my post against virtualgaz.
All I did was call him "virtualgal"
:)
Posted by Sym0ndsBl0wsBuckn0r on 2008-01-06 20:09:18
Crypto, it's all relative mate - in the 70's it was no great drama to lose (sponsorship, having house burnt down, murdered coaches etc.). They were all semi-professional in those days and now it's all about the mighty dollar.

Today, pound for pound, my call is that the Aussies were the better team: good batting and destructive bowling. In the cold light of day that's what the scorecard will suggest. India didn't play well today.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 20:09:42
way umpiring was today ..it seems like ..... that any third grade umpire can officiate matches......steve bucknor..is too old ...to officiate the matches...he should better retire from the international cricket..........
Posted by shit_umpires on 2008-01-06 20:10:28
assies.......... hai hai.....
Posted by hai_hai on 2008-01-06 20:13:39
I deleted the virtualgal comment, it was just a personal insult that added nothing to the discussion.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-06 20:15:01
can aussies win matches nowdays by fair game????... no!!!!! thats why they try to in matches .... by other way
Posted by assie_fan on 2008-01-06 20:16:38
you'll be busy tonight JC, these blokes are unreal!
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 20:18:12
Australia, with this extraordinary win, have claimed a magnificent victory.


But they have lost the war. And if Clarke ever captains the once proud cricketing nation, international contempt will ensue.
Posted by sportsfreak on 2008-01-06 20:18:35
ricky(dicky) ponting has got any but of shame left...if yes then he should quit cricket....
Posted by aussies_are_shameless on 2008-01-06 20:18:55
To the bloggers who have accused the Australian players of being cheats; you are a disgrace to your family and your country.

Rational thought is something obviously foreign to you.

Your only justifiable gripe following this match is the standard of umpiring, nothing more nothing less.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2008-01-06 20:18:59
Mr Ponting..what the hell u think of urself??
Posted by shameless_ponting on 2008-01-06 20:20:37
aussies...................boooooooooo.booooooooooooo
Posted by booo on 2008-01-06 20:21:25
virtualgaz - well i disagree :) ...first innings points went to India..and you could argue that second innings points went to Australia...though with some 'influence'. All things considered - a draw was the only (and fair) result..and as you say - 5 years from now, when someone stumbles across the result on cricinfo, the data will show a great and exciting game that went to Australia. The Indians should have taken the new ball earlier...and though i think Sharma is perhaps a name for the future - they did miss Zaheer. I would like to see Yuvraj get out of his current slump though...and i am hoping Tait gets a run in lieu of Johnson.
Posted by Crypto on 2008-01-06 20:21:35
assies........kya khayal hae>>>>>????? india akae dikhao......... tab daekthae haen......... wall of indians will wait to heckle u guys....... last time u heckled indian cricket chief...this time it is our turn.......
Posted by fan_dada on 2008-01-06 20:23:32
and the ton is up!!!
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 20:24:14
EMBARRASMENT!!!!!!!!
i thnk dis s d mst manipulative gam of cricket i hav evr witnessed...!
i dun undrstnd y d hell dey r claimin dat bhajji made a racial comment wern 2 b honest it ws d umpires who were racial by givin all decisions against india!!!!
nt 2 mention d fact dat d partiality ws clearly evident wen d 3rd umpire din giv symonds out n d 1st innigs wen it ws damn clear....d fact dat d umpire ws an AUSTRALIAN shouldnt b ignored!!!
Posted by SmOKeR on 2008-01-06 20:25:11
If Winning by any means is winning. Lets argue like that. If i too take the things in my favour dishonestly, then see these:
1. Brett Lee is throwing the ball, he is not a bowler.
2. Ponting cheated using a graphite coated bat.
3. Jhonson is also a thrower.
Let us be more realistic
4. ACB fixed the match combnining with umpires and ICC. ICC is also headed by an aussie.
5. Let us take the situation 120 odd for 6 wickets and 3 decisions in favor of Symmonds to hit 164 from there and to 463. What is it called, fixing/cheating/game of poker or any other.
6. How come third empire can give a wrong decision.
7. How a captain indicates umpire that a opponent batsman is out. Is it not fixing.
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 20:26:18
Interesting article on cricinfo:

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/current/story/329392.html
Posted by Crypo on 2008-01-06 20:29:15
Just for something different and talking actual cricket, my prediction is Hogg will be dropped for Perth, replaced by Tait. Hogg was disappointing today - his bowling showed little penetration and it turns out Symonds and Clarke added together might equal a spinner anyway. So let's go nuts with four quicks and let the part timers fill in the rest. That's my hope anyway.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-06 20:36:38
Some of these so-called Indian supporters are blogging as if they'd never lost before or appealed for a wayward LBW!

I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of Indian supporters know more about cricket than the dullards who've been posting crud here for the last hour or so...

Shall I push on for the 150? Dunno, lets see...
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 20:37:51
I cant believe that Australia are so hungry for a win they would go to such LOW lengths! From the word go the umpires decision seems to favour Australia.
1. Symonds out - called NOT OUT
2. Pontings out - called NOT OUT
3. Husseys out - called NOT OUT
4. Dravid NOT OUT - called OUT
5. Dhonis LBW NOT OUT - called OUT
6. Gangulys wicket - SHOULD HAVE BEEN REF TO 3RD UMPIRE!
7. Ponting waiting for umpire decision when it was clearly out
8. Clarke waiting for unpire decision when it was clearly out.
9. The number of FALSE appeals by the Aussie team - ARE YOU SERIOUS! IF IT PITCHES OUTSIDE LEG STUMP - YOU DONT APPEAL FOR LBM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this whole match was a joke and the Indians were the true winners for their grace.
Ponting is the worse captain ever!
Posted by Rads on 2008-01-06 20:44:13
You are correct virtualgaz. You are also like your team. Please get checked and treated by a doctor or go to a psyco councyller and know which is good, which is not, which is honest, which is not, which is luck, which is gentlemans game, which is true meaning of umpiring, what is a sport and sportmanship, why sports are played.
Posted by Fanatic on 2008-01-06 20:45:52
ANtional shame for Aussies as ponting and symonds and the rest indulge in the worst cheating cricket has ever seen..shame on aussies if i were an aussie i would demand thier heads and tried them in court for national shame
Posted by aussisie proven as cheats and on 2008-01-06 20:45:57
Yeah Crypto Sharma is definitely one to watch.

Thought he was really unlucky a few times. Even with that dropped ball/chance he was really trying.

Should go great in Perth.

And he's only 19?
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-06 20:47:04
Hogg bowled better in the 1st innings. Tait will play for sure. It's between Hogg and Johnson, who was a bit unlucky but wayward.

India has some problems. Yuvjah walked because he probably couldn't wait to get off the field and play the next 20/20. Jaffer has to go and Sharma while showing promise is too raw for the mighty ones.

3-0 whatever happens.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 20:47:12
nah, I'd like India to keep exactly the same team personally.
Posted by virtual on 2008-01-06 20:51:18
this is not the place to blog....JC and virtalgaz are not fair
Posted by f**k aussies on 2008-01-06 20:51:55
God am I sick and tired of the bloody commentary teams going on and on about how we Aussi's "love the Indian batsmen and wnat to see them do well down under". RUBBISH!!! Any Aussi worth his meat pie and plastic cup on beer wants ustralia to dominate cricket unconditionally. No-one wants to see any of them get runs. I begrudge them everything. Fancy thinking they or any other country could beat Australia. Aw just go home and be grateful you got the chance to 'train' with the Australians. Now what India?
Posted by Master on 2008-01-06 20:52:57
In the Melbourne Test Dhoni appealed for LBW against Hussey when he had hit the ball cleanly off the middle of the bat outside off stump.

Yuvraj was caught bat pad, didn't walk, and wasn't given out.

Just two things that come to mind.

The Indians will always be losers because the only analysis they give their losses is that "we was robbed!!!" Poor little princesses.

Looks like it's gonna be 4 blot boys. Suck it up.
Posted by pat on 2008-01-06 20:54:20
In view of the farse in the second test match and ugly cricket played by the austrialians, Indian board should pull back their team from australia and severe all cricketing realtionships with theam. Australians must be banned from playing cricket for next two years in all international level by ICC. Also umpires should be criminally procecuted and later publically executed.
Posted by chapell on 2008-01-06 21:01:01
guys get a grip.. its not australia's fault that they got the umpiring decisions in their favour. They played hard and won. That's about it, live with it.
That said it is totally justifiable for us to think that we were robbed of the test match coz though it does even out in the end it certainly didnt in this test and cost us. I guess Virtualgaz and Healy will agree to it too. This was one of the worst test in terms of umpiring howlers. Kumble has every right to be angry about it.
Only one more thing I would add here is the holier than thou attitude of this australian team that irks me so. Ponting says Murali should hv walked and then he himself doesn't. Yuvraj is charged for showing dissent and yet ponting who was earlier fine when given not out throws the bat in full view of the public after the wrong decision and i am yet to here of any report on that. I hope next time he doesn't go about writing a code of conduct again.
and again a great match and congrats to the winners. They gave it all.
Posted by abhi on 2008-01-06 21:05:28
Andrew Symonds turned in disgust and threw darts with his eyes at Steve Bucknor. Mahendra Singh Dhoni had not played a shot to Symonds' offspin and the bowler was furious even though the ball was heading over the stumps. After the umpiring perks Symonds received during the match he had nothing to complain about.

On the last ball before tea it was Ricky Ponting who could not understand why Bucknor did not agree with a similar appeal against Rahul Dravid. Ponting crouched down and muttered as if nothing ever went his team's way. In this Test, from the moment Ponting's legside edge on day one went unnoticed by Mark Benson, almost everything did.

Symonds was the most fortunate man in the game. Following his batting reprieves, he was at the centre of another crucial decision that went against India and led to them losing the match. Poor Dravid, who battled to 38, was providing a formidable obstacle when he pushed his pad forward to Symonds and hid his bat and gloves behind his front leg. A sound was heard, Adam Gilchrist caught the ball, the Australians yelled and India's comfortable position of 3 for 115 was soon to be 6 for 137.

Bucknor was swayed in a ruling that was as bad as his miss of Symonds in the first innings. Listening to the edges has obviously become more difficult, but soon a fine servant may actually hear the calls for his retirement. The decisions contributed to India losing the Test, but the visiting players shook the hands of both officials after the match. While they took their caps off and lined up, the Australians danced, jumped and whooped in a manner that would have reminded the Indians of their World Twenty20 celebrations.

The noise of Symonds' nick on 31 was so loud it could have carried to the shoppers in nearby Oxford Street. Bucknor's decision cost India 131 runs and he also refused to call for the third umpire during a close stumping when Symonds was 148. Two days later Anil Kumble missed a hat-trick when Bucknor judged a wrong'un to be going over the stumps when Symonds pushed forward. He went on to score another 61.

Most Australian players believe luck evens itself out over a career, but their long-sightedness is not shared by visiting teams. Bob Woolmer reckoned Australia received almost six times more line-ball decisions than Pakistan during the 2004-05 series, and while it sounded like an exaggeration, the benefit of the doubt favours the home team in Australia and around the world

Umpires must feel like frontline soldiers on the final days of the Tests. Fielders crowd round the batsmen and they are shouted at every couple of balls over fantasy and non-fiction. Every country has its ways of pushing the rules and one of Australia's traditional pet hates was the amount of appealing conducted by teams from the subcontinent.

Shane Warne helped alter that view and on the final day his former team-mates were expert at trying to influence the officials with shouts at all volumes. (Despite the consistent requests, none was as ridiculous as Kumble's plea for an lbw of Brad Hogg in the first innings when the ball was struck through cover for two.) Benson was so worn down late in the afternoon that he sent a run-out call to the third umpire even though the batsman was in by a metre.




"Both arguments are about telling the truth. Why should Clarke be trusted to rule on a potentially match-turning catch when he stayed at the crease on day four after edging a ball to first slip?"









In the same session he had to deal with Michael Clarke's low catch off Sourav Ganguly, who stood with hand on hip as he waited for a decision. Of course the Australians raced to the fielder and swamped him. They were certain it was out, but Benson wasn't sure. He looked to Bucknor at square leg and then walked down the pitch and asked Ponting what he thought. "He caught it," Ponting seemed to say and put his finger up. Benson did the same.

Fortunately for Ponting, who gained credibility for the decision by refusing to accept a low catch in the first innings, the replays did not show the ball falling short. Typically, they also could not clear all doubt from the take. Ponting's noble request for all teams to have an honesty system for these incidents has been rejected by the rest of the world - he had a small victory before this series when Kumble agreed the captains would have the final say on contentious catches - and they must have squirmed when they saw Ponting relaying the message to the umpire.

Australians see catching differently to appealing and walking. They say it's up to the umpire to decide on edges and lbws, but when it comes to knowing whether a ball has carried, the fielder is the best person to judge. What they miss is that both arguments are about telling the truth. Why should Clarke be trusted to rule on a potentially match-turning catch when he stayed at the crease on day four after edging a ball to first slip?

One of Gilchrist's finest traits is he walks whenever he gets an edge, and claims to appeal only if he's sure the batsman has got a nick. Apart from Dravid, Gilchrist was the best-positioned player to know what Symonds' delivery had touched. It was definitely not bat or glove. Gilchrist also did not see the puff of dust from the ball bouncing after Dhoni hit it into his leg before ricocheting back to the wicketkeeper, who appealed with his team-mates for a catch. It was an easy decision for Bruce Oxenford, the television umpire.

Under Steve Waugh the Australians devised a Spirit of Cricket document that they swear by. They insist they play the game "hard and fair" and are shocked whenever their outlook is challenged. After emotional days like this it is hard to sympathise with their complaints.

Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo
Posted by KK on 2008-01-06 21:06:17
Well said chappel, australians should be banned form playing cricket until they learn to. Indian Cricket Board should call back the team Immdtly, with out thinking about the money they lose. What is ICC, a subling of ACB. Throw out every one who is aussie from Cricket.
Posted by do-it-now on 2008-01-06 21:06:22
Shame Shame Ponting, claiming grounded catches! How desperate are you to win little Tasmanian man. In my books you will have to win the next two legitimately to claim the record. You embarrassed Australian cricket once again. Sportsmanship is always remembered far more than some desperate win.
Being Australian I would like to fruitlessly apologise to the Indian team for the sub standard behaviour of the umpires and the unsportsman like behaviour of the Australian Captain. It was appalling on field behaviour!
Posted by Rabbit on 2008-01-06 21:11:07
Test cricket has been dealt a severe blow by this "fixed" test match. Never again will it be the same. Aussies may rejoice today but for the rest of the world this was a hollow and phyrric victory with open and blatant assistance from umpires. There should be an enquiry to find out whether money changed hands and Ponting and Symonds should be handed atleast a four match ban for dishonesty. Meanwhile the Indian team should boycott the reminder of the series.
Posted by Varghese on 2008-01-06 21:13:06
Nothing but sub-continental short memories and sour grapes wrapped in self righteous commentary.......I can't believe this.
Posted by Miss India 2008 on 2008-01-06 21:15:06
Here's some analysis you might like to sleep on:

You have big, big, BIG problems with your openers. Jaffer is useless and Dravid is being played out of position. What a waste of his enormous talent, especially when you have Sehwag just sitting around enjoying the sun. Still, you can't blame Australia for that.

Laxman, Tendulkar and Ganguly = excellent lineup.

Dhoni is next to useless which is Yuvraj Singh. Both have let you down badly. Still, you can't blame Australia for that.

Kumble is a great bowler, stoic batsman and poor captain. He sulks and plays a negative game. Still, you can't blame Australia for that.

Harbhajan Singh is a brilliant, erratic, temperamental bowler, fieldsman and batsman. Unreliable but can do great things and equally incredibly stupid things. Still, you can't blame Australia for that.

You have two very good bowlers in RP Singh and Khan. Both look to be under done and needed some tour matches here in Oz in the lead up to the 1st Test. Still, you can't blame Australia for that.

Sharma is young and just starting but looks to have great potential.

Suggestions: Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik to open. Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dhoni, Kumble, Harbhajan, Singh and Khan (if fit). Drop Harbhajan for Sharma in Perth.

Oh, yeah, and get yourself a coach with tactics and strategy. Fix up your lazy and pathetic fielding. And never, never, allow negativity, excuses or the sulks to creep in to your game.

Still, you can't blame Australia for that.
Posted by pat on 2008-01-06 21:15:12
At last i find and australian who is a human, well said Rabbit. There are few like you in your neighbourhood. Beware of your neighbours.
Posted by LEAST on 2008-01-06 21:16:24
Some years ago in South Africa, 5 Indian players were charged of excessive appealing. While I'd found nothing excessive that day, today I saw a series of 'unfair' and 'not in the spirit of the game' sort of appealing. Wont the aussies be punished?

If Kevin Peitersen can be sent back to the field after the england dressing room found him to be 'not out', then why didnt the same happen to Sourav Ganguly?

Steve Bucknor has crossed all limits. If this had been against Australia, Symonds would have alleged racial abuse against him.

As far as bad decisions against Australia in the series go, only Yuvraj was wrongly given not out once before an extreme shocker of a decision to send him back. The one-eyed Channel 9 commentary team might come up with more, but honestly nobody gives a damn to it.
I thought australian players are hypocrites but now reading the comments I'm sure most australians are hypocrites (probably excluding JC). The way they view things differently or 'out of context' for their own comfort is astonishing.
Posted by Zapper on 2008-01-06 21:19:39
The way the Aussies dealt with their most recent losses - England '05 and India '01 was to take it on the chin at the time, commend the opponents at the end, buckle down and then cream them next time. India should take note.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 21:26:10
All complaints should be directed to Cricket Australia...just choose the appropriate entry in the 'Subject' drop-down box... ;)

http://cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=contactus
Posted by Crypto on 2008-01-06 21:27:03
You have to truthfully commend the Indians because "Without losers, where would the winners be?"

2-0, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 21:38:23
I thought the Poms could whinge.

150 Indian whingers so far, 999,999,851 to go.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-06 21:39:17
No results found for whingers.
Did you mean whinges (in dictionary) or Wingers (in encyclopedia)?
Posted by Whatisit on 2008-01-06 21:43:15
here is one more for u to add hanuman (which by the way means monkey-god and i think u r going to lodge a complaint on tht to NHRC)
btw this complain of whinging comes from a supporter of a country team which has whinged for 60 yrs for a thing called bodyline series... We hv a long way to go before we match that
Posted by abhi on 2008-01-06 21:46:26
What a conclusion to the game.

I got some strange looks from the other half when I did two commando rolls on the carpet when Clarke got his third... surely I wasn't the only person to do this though...
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-06 21:47:50
thats funny , U do deserve all the commando rolls though.. great game
Posted by abhi on 2008-01-06 21:51:36
1 billion bananas headed India's way. Just stand in line and wait your turn.
Posted by The Organ Grinder on 2008-01-06 21:57:01
So, Gilly is an honest player, who always walks. How could he appeal for that "catch" against Dravid, who obviously played inside his pad? He must be as deaf and blind as poor old Bucknor, or else he knew exactly what he was doing when he appealed. And that was just one of 5 dodgy ones the indians got in the 2nd dig. That doesn't count the multiple innings for Symonds, Ponting and Hussey that helped our score along. Our motto should be the same as that dodgy old politician Richo: "Whatever it takes". I'm an Aussie, and this is just an embarrasment. We want to win fair, not by cheating. Kumble is right, only one team was playing in the spirit of the game. Without the incompetence of the poor old umps, india would have won this test, no doubt. We would have a red hot series still alive. Instead, we have this mess. And now our poor boys are upset by a bit of sledging coming back our way? Diddums.
Posted by Dennis the menace on 2008-01-06 22:02:11
This should have been one of the classic great Test matches - game evenly poised to the end, with no side really dominating, and won only in the dying minutes. Instead it has been marred by controversy. Why is there so much ill feeling between the Aussie and Indian Test sides (or supporters for that matter?)
Posted by MT on 2008-01-06 22:03:33
Dennis, unfortunately you are a tool.
Posted by The Oracle on 2008-01-06 22:03:40
What do want in return Mr Organ Grinder. we have 1 billion of so many things.
Posted by got-it on 2008-01-06 22:04:47
Dennis, stick to cartoons.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 22:06:50
Yes yes, too true got-it.

Too bad none of them can bat or bowl so we have really no need for your kind offer.
Posted by The Oracle on 2008-01-06 22:08:13
As was shown by the many thousands of empty seats at both the MCG and SCG tests Australian cricket needs to get some integrity back and do it damn quick!
Posted by concerned on 2008-01-06 22:17:58
Yeah, good on ya Indian cricket fans, that's right you were cheated. Australia's only been on top for the past decade because we are in co-hoots with the umpires,ICC, ect. .What a bunch of pathetic whingers (Yeah that's how we spell it here "Whatisit") you all are.That's right pull ya team back home and invite Bangladeshis over for a game, that should fix the hurt OR go play ya 20-20 baseball crap with our retire champs, I hear that's ya go.

PS. What's with brown people calling other brown people monkeys?? Please explain??
Posted by hit and giggle on 2008-01-06 22:22:54
I am an Indian but have been an Australian cricket fan for decades now. I can honestly say that I am ashamed of all the whinging thats going on around here.

For the let offs that Symonds got, just jog your memory and you will find that both Laxman and Sachin escaped plumb lbw's.

At the end of the day, stop making excuses and fight. And if you still dont win, fight some more.

Am very surprised with Kumble's attitude. He is a fantastic competitor individually but his sulking gets the team down.
Posted by Jethro on 2008-01-06 22:23:19
C'mon guys, what about JC's maiden 150?

Try this: if Bucknor was going to favour anyone, why doesn't he do it for the Windies?

I remember David Constant, Arthur Fagg, Merv Kitchen and, yes, Harold Bird and David Sheppard all making howlers in their time - and depending which team you go or, at a crucial time or not.

Let's not forget that neutral umpiring became necessary due to the Indian and Pakistani umps giving 8 LBWs to their bowlers in the 80's & 90's.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 22:23:32
Jethro, some few people like you are seing the things from ponting's point of view. If you have followed the test ball by ball, you will know how pontings cheated the game in pressure.
Posted by fair on 2008-01-06 22:27:21
This ones for 'concerned' and the empty seats theory....mate, I don't have to wait up to watch the sun rise....it's a given, whether you watch or not. AUS 2 IND 0
Posted by Miss India 2008 on 2008-01-06 22:29:17
100% Virtual, how many times did Gavaskar get LBW in India?
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-06 22:29:22
...and there it is.. a magnificent 150 for JC, marvellous effort that!

My work's done here, see you whingers (correctly spelt using my Gold and Onyx dictionary) after Perth victory.
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-06 22:31:16
Kumble is tucking all his little princesses into bed tonight and will read them a story. Harby will be sobbing, and The Little Master will gently dry his eyes with a lace hanky. Soothing violins in the background will caress them all to sleep.

Hush now my little ones, you've had a hard day but now it's time for little boys to rest.
Posted by Dearest Nanny on 2008-01-06 22:38:46
C'mon Gaz surely you're not pulling up stumps now?
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-06 22:38:50
The spammer virtualgaz gone.
Posted by virtual on 2008-01-06 22:40:16
And now I have the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to add to my collection mwahahahahaha!
Posted by Osama Bin Ponting on 2008-01-06 22:45:57
If we support ponting and his team, then we should support Osam and his team also. What is wrong, what is right, if winning is important, can do anything.
Posted by yes on 2008-01-06 22:48:00
1 Billion playing 20 million and you're still weak as piss. Suck it up losers 'cause winners are grinners and you aren't smiling. What do you expect when number 1 in the world goes to battle against number-soon-to-be 5, oh and 20-20 champions, thats right, you did win something once upon a time. Can we hear about that again?
Posted by suckitup on 2008-01-06 22:58:02
I am an Aussie cricket fan, and I would like to agree with most of the Aussies on this forum, in regards to who was the better team during this game, it was clearly Australia.

The Indians on this forum are a disgrace to their nation and true supporters.

I always respected the Windies when they won, unfortunately Australians are horrible winners, especially the current cricket team.

Is winning really that important, isn't class and sportsmanship important?

The impact this has on younger players at club level is amazing...

Every game you play from U/12s onwards if filled with sledging and mental disintegration tactics.

It will indeed be a sad day when Michael Clarke captains the same team that was once captained by such gentleman as Richie Benaud and Sir Donald Bradman.

There is way too much hypocrisy at the moment in the current cricket team. They should say yes we were lucky with the umpiring, and the standard was terrible...

We played the better cricket, but appealed for catches we didnt take (Ponting on the final afternoon off Dhoni) and Dravid's pad to Gilchrist...

The Australian team doesn't believe in apologising, Ponting has deluded himself into believing that they play in the right spirit and they have a good relationship with the Indian team.

Please also wake up and smell the roses, India makes up more than 50% of cricket revenue and virtually runs the ICC - was it really a smart move to piss them off with poor sportsmanship, when you may well have won the series anyway playing fair but hard cricket 4 - 0?

It is truly sad that many of my generation will always look back on this great Australian team with a tinge of sadness for how much damage they have done to sportsmanship in cricket.

To all Indian fans - I don't think the Indian team behaves any better - but Australia as the best team by a country mile should set an example...

Everyone only seems to copy the Aussie - way

Cricket could learn a lot from Golf, where sportsmanship still exists and the rules of the game are more important than winning or losing...

Maybe that is why we dont dominate in Golf?
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-06 23:01:04
This ones to Miss India 2008 , in the real world someone has to pay for it ,or it will be australia 0 India 0 that will definately be a given! Simple business logic
Posted by concerned on 2008-01-06 23:02:47
Wow, I stumbled onto this site after watching the 2nd test and this is phenomenal. Jealousy causes very strange things to happen doesn't it?
The term in australia is 'whinging pom' but you indian fans have taken the trophy. I made it out of the 12 beers I had while watching that fantastic win. It's tied together with the Australian flag. Can I get the BCCI postal address because it'll look great next to your 'world' 20/20 trophy.
Posted by Steeb on 2008-01-06 23:05:19
Indians please stop whinging, my fellow Aussies please stop gloating...

The game was a farce

We all know we will smash them, hopefully fair and square in Perth...

Unfortunately we have opened Pandora's Box and every Indian blogger, regardless of the result in Perth will continue to bring up the result today, and we could atleast be graceful in victory...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-06 23:06:45
You Indians are a joke.
All of this talk about poor umpiring costing you the game - how about this: your much-vaunted 'Little Master' plumb lbw to Clarke on 30 in the 1st innings. Do you hear any crying from us? No. Or Ponting given lbw when he clearly wasn't? The umpiring mistakes - and there were many - were clearly evened up by the end of this match.
You losers (all 1.2 billion of you) need to start accepting that you are responsible for your own problems. Lazy indolent fielding? Check! Piss-poor field settings? Check! (Thanks for that Kumble). Most of your players being woefully out of form? Check! Lack of commintment and professionalism? Check! The list is endless. You could have won the match, but didn't purely due to your own uselessness.
Every time you lose, it's due to some vast white conspiracy: bullshit. It's because you are losers, and always will be until you clean house and lift your collective game.
Posted by Southern Pride on 2008-01-06 23:17:57
Southern Pride thanks for taking us back 20 yrs...

How I wish the Windies of the 80s were still around to make people like you eat humble pie...

When will someone rise up to challenge us?

I can't expect one eyed patriotism from the Australian cricket team when muppets like you on these type of blogs expouse your form of wisdom in a similar light...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-06 23:20:54
Go grovel somewhere else would ya Ace, that's a good chap.

By the way, what sort of alias is that anyway? Suddenly we have the wingman from Topgun giving leftard soliloquies on cricket blogs!?
Posted by Maverick on 2008-01-06 23:32:02
I'm with ya Mav, reckon we should buzz Ace's tower?
Posted by Goose on 2008-01-06 23:33:48
You two really are cowboys.
Posted by Iceman on 2008-01-06 23:35:56
That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous.
Posted by Maverick on 2008-01-06 23:36:52
Maverick and Goose you crack me up...

Clearly you werent around in 1989 when we won back the Ashes or 1995 when we beat the Windies...

Now that was winning...

Beating India at home was great too...

This Indian team is not that good...

We should win 4 - 0

Pick Tait for Hogg, and roll them by an innings in Perth...

Lets clean up our act though, no point continuing to win ugly if you ask me...

The greatest team in world cricket needs to behave like the greatest team in world cricket...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-06 23:38:34
Tait for Hogg and Hilfenhaus for Johnson. Now that's a team for Perth.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-06 23:45:14
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=416862&sid=ARC

An interesting news article...

GO INDIA!!!

Well Done for boycotting the news conference!
Posted by Ravi on 2008-01-06 23:45:21
A lot of people on this form have short memories, which team started the appeal for anything that might even look like it might have maybe could have but didn't really hit anything, It was India.

All teams do it now it's up to the umpires to make the right call.

Yes India got the wrong end of the stick but that's not the players fault, it's the officials.

I've watched cricket for 40yrs and yes umpires have been making mistakes ever since I've been watching and that won't change.

Ask any touring team of India if they thought they got their fair share of umpiring decisions in the ten years before neutral umpires were used and I'll tell you the answer it is none.

But it's ok because in 20yrs time no one but the sub continent teams will have any intrest in the game which is sad.
Posted by Stumpy on 2008-01-06 23:45:58
Who do you rekon should come in if Haydos isnt fit for Perth?

Surely, lets blood some youth and look to the future...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-06 23:47:16
Hey I've got an idea Ace, why don't we not even keep score, take it one step more. Every player could bring a peice of fruit and we could all share it at lunch. All the spectators could hold hands and sing John Lenon songs between overs. that'd be jolle good old chap. I bet you never even played A-grade cricket let alone for your country. I played a 2 dayer against the windies in the 80's and believe me they played hard and not just with bat all ball.
Posted by ant-ace on 2008-01-06 23:47:17
cheaters are always great at cheating all else is overshadowed ain't it maiite ???
Posted by buccaneer on 2008-01-06 23:49:19
ant-ace

Did they appeal for catches that were clearly grassed mate?

Sounds like you have sour-grapes mate that you couldnt compete with them...

We have the best team in the world, just wish we played in the right spirit...

If you want to contine deluding yourself that we are the most sporting team out there, good for you, hope you go home feeling real charitable...

Agree with Stumpy, no one will give a rats-arse about the game outside the sub-continent in 10 yrs...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-06 23:52:31
Ace, sadly I was around to see our team get divided by WSC and the most inept and inexperienced team get flogged by India amongst others. I don't recall any sympathy coming our way.

I recall the Windies having run-ups from the fence in to bowl. Long slow days, with long slow over-rates. Short ball after short ball with no variation. The Windies weren't always as dazzling as they are made out to be in hindsight.

I also remember the 1992-93 Windies tour of Oz when Darrell Hair gave McDermott out with 1 run to go for Oz to win the series in the 4th Test. The ball clearly came off McDermot's helmet. Windies won by 1 run and went on to demolish us in Perth. I don't recall the Windies coo cooing us. That's the way cricket is, just like life.

Get over it, move on. In fact it was the beginning of our era of world cricket dominance.

So, no tears here for India.

The poor umpiring is not our fault, and I haven't seen anyone 'winning ugly'.
Posted by Captain of the Enterprise, Sti on 2008-01-06 23:55:51
One has to accept the fact that Australians are a better team. No doubt they are. But the spirit shown by them today to somehow come up with the 16th consecutive win helped along with some ridiculous decisions by umpires is clearly not acceptable. To be precise its darn frustrating. Its not that Indians have lost a test match for the first time in Australia nd not that Australians have achieved somethin that they havent achieved before, but its the way things unfolded on the field

Against India:

1st innings
1.Ponting was out caught behind much before he was finally given out in the first innings. They wud have been 45/3

2.Symonds clearly caught behind on 30

3.Symonds stumped but even the 3rd umpire cant see can he. Awesome!

4.Symonds 148 but bucknor is such an aussie slave tht he didn even bother to call the 3rd umpire

2nd innings
1. Hussey not given lbw when he was battin on 30 somethin

2.symonds again given not lbw

3. THIS ONE IS BEST OF THE LOT. Clarke waitin for the umpires decision even when he was caught at the 1st slip. AWESOME! SUCKS THOUGH!

Against Australia

1. Ponting wasnt lbw but wot the heck he was out long before caught behind and goodness gracious me he looked at the umpire as if hell broke on him :P

2. As claimed by some of the aussie father or grandfather figures above Sachin was out lbw at around 30 something

Ohk so mathematically

7-2 =5

Aussie were ahead by 5 ....Dumba**es :P

Ohk nyways talkin abt wrong decisions there were many in the first test too but wots the point the aussie dumbheads wont ever get it....too arrogant dudes too arrogant!!

No wonder they can get Sachin out Arm Before the Wicket :P

Seriously among all australian cricketers i always respected Gilchrist a lot but nomore...

Keep cheatin ppl...no wonder Greg Chappell ordered underarm ball!! :P

Awesome ppl...keep cheatin and keep winnin...thts the only way u can do it...
:P :P :P
Posted by Aussie Fever :P on 2008-01-06 23:57:39
Oh And I Jus So Forgot the decisions tht went against the Indians in the 2nd Innings...tht will make it 5+ a lot more ...

Cool Dudes :P
Posted by Aussie fever :P on 2008-01-07 00:11:37
How about V.V.S plum to Lee on 13 in the 1st innings and...........
U 1 EYEd girls
Posted by 2 eyes on 2008-01-07 00:14:36
Any way the indians has to get out each aussie nearly 2 and half times. The aussies has to only half time. Agree mates dont you. Count your chicks.
Posted by three eyes on 2008-01-07 00:17:01
Where did this "2 Eyes" come out with the vvs plum thin :P...livin in a diff world newbie...Help me to help you :P

Greg Rules...Underarm Rules :P !!
Posted by Aussie Fever :P on 2008-01-07 00:23:22
What did Ponting say to Kumble when he took hold of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? "Thank you, come again."
Posted by Spanky on 2008-01-07 00:28:11
Wow x 2, I checked to see if anymore comments had been added and its getting worse. Sure there is one really stupid pro-aussie reply (no names mentioned) but these indian fan replies just boggle the mind.
You lost the game, yes there was bad umpiring decisions. Big whoop its part of cricket.
Face the fact that you didnt do enough with the bat or ball. If you want to beat us then beat us. Do not resort to pathetic comments about your population or placing the entire australian community into racist/cheating brackets.
If we had lost the game due to some of the bad decisions that went against us(remember there was a few), I would be sickened by any aussie that got on here and spewed forth racist/cheating comments.
But you continue to feed off each other in some form of propaganda/conspiracy nut syndrome that just makes me feel sorry for you.
See you in Perth!
Posted by Steeb on 2008-01-07 00:32:22
Dear steeb there are lot of other things than Umpiring decisions. You are not going when you know that you are clearly out. ALso you are cheating when you clearly know the opponent is not out. What only 2 people in the middle can do, when there are 11 cheater are arround. They cant do anything, they thought better we go by them. Then dont blame umpires, aussies team are the cheaters.
Posted by mee on 2008-01-07 00:50:47
Well, from this farce of a test match is atleast one positive...

JC's blog is getting a record no of comments! Were closing in on a double here! Lara, start praying 'cause your 400 looks in threat!

On a serious note lets not forget that amidst the chaos Australia played some great cricket and showed spirit to win in the nth minute. They were helped by the umpires...but lets not go there again please?!
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-01-07 01:06:51
'Mee' you contradict yourself in so many ways. You failed to notice Sharma stand at the crease when Clarke took his wicket and wait for the umpires decision. He stood there and looked and hoped for a long time. There is nothing wrong with that.
You also seem to forget that Kumble is one of the worst for over appealing. Please get over the fact that you lost and the game had some umpiring flaws. FFS.
Gilchrist is the only real walker in the world. So based on your theory, the entire indian team are cheaters. Nice one.
Posted by Steeb on 2008-01-07 01:09:43
C'mon guys! stop this .. its getting too much now. After all its only a game of cricket .. u cant question whole community's ethics and honesty based on act by some players. Put all these bad-umpiring and so called "cheating" .. then u find sydney witnessed some great bat and ball contest. Some of them are

laxman and hyden's counter-attack,

sachin and hussey's solidity in the middle,

clarke's good spell to remove laxman and sachin,

and off course nerve-breaking last one hour of the game.

Team India have put a great fight in this match after loosing the first one and they should take much confidence out of it and concentrate on the next match.
Posted by amit on 2008-01-07 01:23:29
Dis someone just compare Ishant Sharma's(19 year old newbie) stayin at the crease with Michael Clarke's(so called aussie future captain) ... AWESOME!! :P here you go again 'Aussie Mait' :P

And All Hail The Great 'One Above Me'...Dude we all know how good the match was ...But Phhhlease, peace talks appreciated but nows not the time dude!!
Posted by Aussie Fever :P on 2008-01-07 01:32:12
Dear steeb, Its your theory not myne. See the intensity, if it is knowingly are unknowingly. You said kumbley uppealed too much. Why dont he got wickets in the same way as symmonds did. You mentioned sharma a 19 year old kid, stood his ground. Clarke also is kid then the upcoming captain of AUSSIe.
Posted by mee on 2008-01-07 01:32:46
No anser mate. It is a sport and it should be played like it is. No for records or igo satisfaction. Why dont any one complain about first test. utter cheating.
Posted by no answer on 2008-01-07 01:54:00
Wow..what a victory!! I start by congratulating the Aussies for 16th consecutive win..Hats off to their attitude of winning at any cost... so what if this win has costed the game itself so heavily.

This was a perfect blend of poor umpiring mixed with spiritless cricket played by the aussies. Let us not blame them or call them cheats.. This has been the case ( this spirit of winning at any cost ) with the Cricket Australia ever since the game is being played.

Try n caste your memories back to the Greg-trevor Chappel episode. greg asking his bro to bowl an underarm ball was the height of madness. This followed on and this legacy is being carried on by the Aussies till date.
Ain't Ricky doing a great job?.. Yes you are mate.

Actually he is doing the best. as now he has managed to get the umpires ( and third umpire too !!! )to back his team in making the meaningless records.

No Wonder .. Australia has won....but Cricket has lost today.
Posted by Kalia on 2008-01-07 01:55:41
Why stop kalia, I am spending my hard earned Rs to blog here. You know how it cost in INDIA. If we are like these and politicians run indian cricket, our kids wont play cricket. After all we are humans we should generally oppose what is wrong. Todays win of aus cost the game of Cricket a lot.
Posted by why stop on 2008-01-07 02:03:23
Doesn't mothers teach Ausie kids...that there a word in dictionary called Cheating!!! And that you are not supposed to do it.... This WIN is a shame for Australia.
Posted by AK on 2008-01-07 02:06:41
If i would be poting of India, I would be committing suicide tonight. That is the way we worship the game. We lost or we won. The next day ponting and symmonds will be in hell.
Posted by ponting on 2008-01-07 02:14:43
Team India does not rule out abandoning tour australia, is the news. Thats what we want. Please.. Please.. Please come back.. we will paly 20/20 in india and we will make bucks even playing gully cricket.
Posted by me on 2008-01-07 02:42:04
Oh Steve, your hostility and poor behaviour indicate that even though the English ruled your country for 350 years they didn't instil any good manners.

Polite and humble, that must be the 'old' India.

Oh Mahatma what has happened.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-07 02:44:48
Sadly, the losers cannot behave with any grace or dignity whatsoever. All this hyperventilation is designed to deflect attention from the negative tactics and racism of the Indians.

Sooks and sore losers attract little sympathy in these parts.
Posted by SB on 2008-01-07 02:44:52
Cheaters always says the rules. That was seen every where. Deae sb and hanuman please think like human behave like. judje what is wrong and what is correct not to be biased. Losers cant be losers until they are beaten in honest way in our world of humans. If you are out of that world we wont be playing with you any more.
Po