India v Australia 1st Test

[brod]

A Test series between India and Australia should be enough to whet the appetite of any cricket fan. But is that true of a contest spanning only two matches?

There are several fascinating subplots in this series. Will Harbhajan Singh continue to mesmerise Ricky Ponting? How will Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar, Test cricket's highest scorers, fare in what could be their final series against each other? Can Rahul Dravid find a way to dominate Australia, a team that has had his measure since 2004? Will Nathan Hauritz hold his own against the world's best players of spin? Is Marcus North on his last chance? And what controversy will arise?

INDIA - An ankle sprain to Harbhajan has cast a cloud over India's hopes of having their first-choice attack back in action, following endless fitness issues in Sri Lanka. Dhoni said India will take a call on the offspinner on Friday morning. If Harbhajan does not make the cut, Pragyan Ojha will assume the role of lead spinner. Mohali's seamer-friendly reputation gives Sreesanth an opportunity to make the final XI as the third fast bowler, ahead of legspinner Amit Mishra. The batsmen pick themselves and, barring last-minute fitness issues, M Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara are likely to sit out.

AUSTRALIA - Australia are waiting to see how well Doug Bollinger and Michael Hussey train after their last-minute dash to India from the Champions League in South Africa. However, it would be a surprise if either man was left out. The only change from the team that lost to Pakistan at Headingley in July is likely to be the inclusion of Nathan Hauritz, who has recovered from his foot injury, at the expense of Steven Smith.

From cricinfo.com

[Gozu]

Starts Friday afternoon at 1:30pm I think.

[RoosterMarty]

Friday as in today! Brilliant. That came up quick.

[locky801]

Looks like a long weekend of great sport to watch

[Dissident]

Ponting wins the toss!

We're up, 1-0

[Hazbeen]

Australia batting

1 for 17

Katich lbw Khan 6

[am Bays]

Dutchy to thread, Dutchy to thread....

[RoosterMarty]

Very slow going so far.. the Aussies just have to be patient.

[locky801]

Aust 1/44 after 12

watson 16
ponting 15

[Bum Crack]

Very slow going so far.. the Aussies just have to be patient.

1/44 after 12 is pretty good going in my books.

[RoosterMarty]

They have picked things up a bit now... helped by a few no balls from Sharma.

1/76

Watto 35*
Punter 27*

[RoosterMarty]

Watto dropped by Dhoni!

[stampy]

1/101 at lunch

[RoosterMarty]

Very impressive session by the Aussies.

[CoverKing]

Not sure how anyone could say it was slow going at any point in time during that session.

Watson dropped by Sehwag second ball of the match helped and then by Dhoni later on. Ponting also caught off a no ball from Ishant Sharma. Bit of luck going our ways including the toss against a 2 pace/2 spin attack in India. Sehwag has already bowled in the first session.

The ball is keeping relatively low so far and IMO this is a test for the Aussies to win, and then have play for the series in the next test.

[Trader]

Agreed CKing, had some luck alright.
Interesting to read the cricmisinfo guys describing pointings caught off the no-ball as one where Ishant landed and then slid over, could easily have not gone our way.

[C Horse]

How's this pitch? Barely a ball goes over knee height and heaps of double bouncers through to Dhoni.
Will either be a complete road and a bat-off draw, or with a bit of luck it might break up and Hauritz, North, Katich, Clarke can cash in bowling last.

Either way I'd like to see Australia post 500+ here. So far so good.

[RoosterMarty]

Yes the pitch is quite slow and I am glad we are batting first on it.

Ponting brings up his 50 thanks to a misfield that goes for 4.

[C Horse]

India's fielding costing them early isn't it.
2 dropped catches and that misfield was D grade standard.

Ponting looks set for a big score here.

[CoverKing]

India's fielding costing them early isn't it.
2 dropped catches and that misfield was D grade standard.

Ponting looks set for a big score here.

On the note of Ponting, his form has been questioned. I was quite suprised he is averaging 43 in the 2010 calendar year.

Marcus North is second to lowest run getter out of the top 6, with Watson only averaging mid - high 20's. Was rather suprised when i saw that.\

The Kat averaging the most with just abvove 63