mal wrote:India winning the first is MORE to do with 2 of Australias greatest ever batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner being unavailable
Have a LOOK at the last series these 2 teams played in Australia
Take special note at how many runs the 2 stars made
This is purely a hypothetical
Imagine Smith and Warner playing in the Adelaide test and Kohli and Pujara did not
The teams were rated about equal favs in Adelaide
Make the 4 changes , Australia would be clear fav and probable winner
I can blame 20/20 to a certain/small extent, as an overall
But this fist test loss has little to do with 20/20 scheduling, thats because the BBL has not started as yet
The states have played 5 SS games before the first test, and one during ,thats a reasonable preparation for enough players
The BBL will/might make a BIGger difference from now on, with no SS matches until February
Mal, the reason we're shit without Smith and Warner is our next crop of batsman have poor techniques, no patience and simply don't bat well in long form cricket. Warner is the exception, not the rule.
Finch's first innings dismissal, going hard at the 3rd ball of the innings, the fact Handscombe is playing at all ( There's a text book for a reason, Peter, ever seen any of the world's best batsman play like you do? No. ) shows the flaws in our domestic scene. Nobody stands out at the next level.
Remember when Jamie Siddons, Stuart Law, Martin Love, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher, Hodge, Di Venuto, Cox and I could go on and on were biding their time in the Shield waiting for a Test spot?
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!