2nd Test: India v Australia at Mohali

[Ned]

Overnight rain, and showers till two weeks back, have hampered ground preparations at Mohali's Punjab Cricket Association Stadium two days, leading up to the start of the second Test between India and Australia there.

"The sudden change in weather has somewhat affected our preparations," Daljit Singh, the chairman of BCCI's grounds and pitches committee, told PTI. "Our covers were blown up and outfield was left flooded." However Daljit said the "match wicket was saved". The rain also delayed the teams' practice sessions on Wednesday.

"We are putting in our best efforts to give a good wicket for the upcoming game." Heavy monsoon rains till two weeks back had affected the groundstaff's preparations, Daljit said. "The wicket still has some moisture, and we are hoping to have a good sunshine over the next week. As usual, the fast bowlers should expect assistance from the track in the morning session. I would say if bowlers stick to a good line and length, they can force the edges."

However the meteorological department wasn't optimistic about sunshine over the next few days. "The north-westerly gale, which lasted for over 30 minutes, had maximum wind speed of 76 kmph," Chattar Singh, the director of the regional met office, said. "It was accompanied by heavy rains and hailstorm." Chattar Singh said a prevailing western disturbance over northern India and Pakistan could bring about more rain over the week

[hearts on fire]

After a pretty decent first test, i would love to follow it up by smashing India, but i don't think it's going to happen.

I think the Aussies will get up and win in a tight one and a nice return to form by the big opening batsmen from Queensland, Matty Hayden!

Also i will be watching closely on how Siddle performs after replacing Clark......

[mal]

I had mentioned that Peter SIZZLE I mean SIDDLE was a very good bowler last SS season
Im thrilled he gets a baggy green cup
Im not thrilled that Doc CLARK is out injured

In Peter SIDDLE we have a brilliant young fast bowler
On his day or days he WILL prove that he is up to International stardom
BUT
Theres is a touch of WATTOism about him
He has had injury problems in his short domestic career most notably 2 shoulder operations
I can recall a day in the Franger Cup where he was underarming back to the keeper from the deep.

Once again I can-not emphasise the importance of winning the toss in these games
Hopefully AUstralias luck of winning tosses continues

[CoverKing]

Peter Siddle is 23 and is going to be along with Mitchell Johnson and maybe Tait the front line pace bowlers for Australia IMHO however at this point in time i think Siddle is questionable, he had a shoulder reco only at the end of last domestic season and there are other bowlers that i think would b counting themselves unlucky, namely Doug Bollinger and Ashley Noffke, even Nathan Bracken as he tops the one day bowling list and his last test appearance was at the GABBA and produced 4 wickets from my distant memory!

[toot toot]

India win the toss and elect to bat. Kumble is not playing

[NFC]

Where the heck is the crowd? Probably more people at the Adelaide Oval.

Get it together Brett Lee.

[NFC]

Siddle what a start!! Not a wicket but the next best thing!

[RoosterMarty]

Siddle what a start!! Not a wicket but the next best thing!

More commentary than that please, I'm still at work until 4!!! What did Siddle do?

[blink]

Siddle what a start!! Not a wicket but the next best thing!

More commentary than that please, I'm still at work until 4!!! What did Siddle do?

Bounced Gambhir with his first ball, clocked him on the head.

[RoosterMarty]

Siddle what a start!! Not a wicket but the next best thing!

More commentary than that please, I'm still at work until 4!!! What did Siddle do?

Bounced Gambhir with his first ball, clocked him on the head.

Haha no wonder NFC said it was the next best thing, fantastic stuff!

[mal]

AU cant win
Thats my summation after 5 overs
Its a featherbed pitch and the Indians are gunna get to about 500
Indian frontrunning batsmen excell on these pitches

[NFC]

AU cant win
Thats my summation after 5 overs
Its a featherbed pitch and the Indians are gunna get to about 500
Indian frontrunning batsmen excell on these pitches

Yeah I can easily see them making 500, it looks like an absolute road if there ever was one. And the outfield is extremely quick too.

And Brett Lee bowling pretty poorly just like he did in the 1st test. Gee we're going to struggle here, Watto and Johnson will come on soon.

[RoosterMarty]

I hate pitches like that in Test cricket...

[locky801]

I hate pitches like that in Test cricket...

yep me too have already turned the telly off

[NFC]

Oh man this is a joke. 0/47 off 8.3 overs, run rate of almost 6. Lee terrible, Siddle looked okay but every loose ball is getting smashed. Johnson on now, starts off conceeding a boundary. They'll be 3/400 at stumps.

[MADDOG3]

Usually the draw wicket comes after India/Pakistan takes the series lead...

Sounds like a few men on the fence might be handy, 9 boundaries in the first 10 overs of the test is terrible.

[Hazbeen]

At drinks India 0 for 63

[mal]

STUMPS SCORE
IN 3/306
JOHNSON 2 WICKETS
WHITE 1 WICKET
WATSON 0 WICKETS [will get hammered on this deck]
LEE O WICKETS
CLARKE 0 WICKETS

SHEWAG and MOUNT GAMBHIR look in touch
LAXMAN will be licking his lips with this deck
No Stuart Doc CLARK is like no Luke Hodge for Hawthorn

Brett LEE is a star bowler at home , but in Tests away from home he looks less potent

[locky801]

300-400 by stumps doubt it

1/514

[silicone skyline]

Sehwag going at a run a ball. problem is his attacking style gets him out quicker than it does yield long, high scoring innings. Touch wood