1st Test: India v Australia at Bangalore

[rod_rooster]

Im not usually in this threa but im annoyed Zaheer was given man of the match ahead of Hussey.

Agreed. Hussey was better than Khan easily.

[Stumps]

khan single handedly got india the draw IMO when they were outplayed for most of the game- MOM well deserved for runs and wickets

[Rik E Boy]

khan single handedly got india the draw IMO when they were outplayed for most of the game- MOM well deserved for runs and wickets

Yep, I agree.

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

Why the hell didnt India go a bit harder at the chase? they shut up shop when they were 2 down, fair enough if they were 4 down but 2 down? it wasnt a hard total to get, would have been fascinating cricket if they went for the win

[Media Park]

If I was Sachin I'd feel fairly embarrassed...
Cameron White!
At least the ABC commentators were calling him Craig...

[silicone skyline]

Very appropriate avatar MP

[spell_check]

Agree with the light
Its the most damming thing in cricket
Simple solution
Why not start the games 30 minutes earlier !@#$%^$#$%^&*&^%$#@$%^&

Transfer Test matches to Adelaide Oval - it never rains in Summer and is always sunny.

[Stumps]

Why the hell didnt India go a bit harder at the chase? they shut up shop when they were 2 down, fair enough if they were 4 down but 2 down? it wasnt a hard total to get, would have been fascinating cricket if they went for the win

They didnt go harder because the next 3 test pitches will suit India alot more than australia and they will back themselves to win on the turining pitches.
This was australias best chance of a win IMO

[Grahaml]

I think Watson especially did alright in this test. Brett Lee and Stuart Clark were the ones who really failed to do the job. Good to see Watson embracing the number 6 batsman who bowls a little role rather than trying to be everything. White is similarly a much better batsman than he is a bowler. I think both can be good test players for a long time if they are given a job of being batsmen primarily. Then let them bowl 10 overs or so an innings between them, pick up a wicket or two a game between them. The long term benefit of Watson at 6 is we can play 2 spinners (if we can find any!) while still having some back up for the seamers.

Sadly I see India expoiting our spin problems by doctoring the pitches to suit themselves. White is capable of causing a problem or two, but really without Lee, Clark and Johnson taking 15 wickets we will struggle.

On the flip side, are we missing a seamer who can work the ball on subcontinent pitches? Nathan Bracken is now in his prime, is a proven 1 day performer and most importantly works the ball sideways as well as any. Being a left armer and taking the ball away from the right hander is useful (less useful given Johnson is in the side). I just wonder whether he was a little unlucky not to have been picked in Johnson or Watson's place (with Cameron White at 6 as a batsman and a part time spinner). Losing our first choice spinner and the next option over there getting pounded by some kids threw our plans out but given more time, given Cameron White was as good as any other spinner were we better off playing him at 6 and playing Bracken as well?

[rod_rooster]

Much better playing true batsmen and true bowlers rather than guys like Watson and White who are not really that good at either. Watson's batting is reasonable but neither White nor Watson can bowl at a satisfactory level and White really is just a slogger who will not succeed as a batsman at Test level.

[04 Premiership Coach]

Why the hell didnt India go a bit harder at the chase? they shut up shop when they were 2 down, fair enough if they were 4 down but 2 down? it wasnt a hard total to get, would have been fascinating cricket if they went for the win

Anyone who says 299 in 83 overs isn't a hard target obviously has'nt watched many test matches.And if they have,they were'nt paying attention!

[Rik E Boy]

Why the hell didnt India go a bit harder at the chase? they shut up shop when they were 2 down, fair enough if they were 4 down but 2 down? it wasnt a hard total to get, would have been fascinating cricket if they went for the win

Anyone who says 299 in 83 overs isn't a hard target obviously has'nt watched many test matches.And if they have,they were'nt paying attention!

Especially on that wicket. I reckon Dutchy might have done some dough.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

I think Watson especially did alright in this test. Brett Lee and Stuart Clark were the ones who really failed to do the job. Good to see Watson embracing the number 6 batsman who bowls a little role rather than trying to be everything. White is similarly a much better batsman than he is a bowler. I think both can be good test players for a long time if they are given a job of being batsmen primarily. Then let them bowl 10 overs or so an innings between them, pick up a wicket or two a game between them. The long term benefit of Watson at 6 is we can play 2 spinners (if we can find any!) while still having some back up for the seamers.

Sadly I see India expoiting our spin problems by doctoring the pitches to suit themselves. White is capable of causing a problem or two, but really without Lee, Clark and Johnson taking 15 wickets we will struggle.

On the flip side, are we missing a seamer who can work the ball on subcontinent pitches? Nathan Bracken is now in his prime, is a proven 1 day performer and most importantly works the ball sideways as well as any. Being a left armer and taking the ball away from the right hander is useful (less useful given Johnson is in the side). I just wonder whether he was a little unlucky not to have been picked in Johnson or Watson's place (with Cameron White at 6 as a batsman and a part time spinner). Losing our first choice spinner and the next option over there getting pounded by some kids threw our plans out but given more time, given Cameron White was as good as any other spinner were we better off playing him at 6 and playing Bracken as well?

I thought that Brett Lee just wasn't agressive enough and tried to bowl like Glen McGrath. We already have Stuart Clark to do that for us. Bowlers who bowled more aggressively like Watson and Johnson got a higher return for their efforts.

About your point in relation to the wickets we can expect to see to exploit our dearth of quality spin options, expect the same thing to happen in England during the Ashes series next year.

What we are in fact 'missing' with the seam bowlers is experience in Indian conditions. The only the current crop will get that is to let them play in all four test matches during this series. It is going to be hard work for the Aussies make no mistake, but at this point in time and even more inexperienced bowler is not the answer.

regards,

REB

[Stumps]

Haddin was ridiculously loose early in his innings and sharma was far too good for him- may have got away with it today but if hes gonna be a long term number 7 he needs to tightnen up-
watsons was a good ball and wouldve got most out- he will get runs this series IMO - he is a quality batsman- im not so sure his bowling will be effective

Hang on. Haddin is a wicketkeeper. His job is to keep wickets. Watson for some strange reason is batting at number six. His job is to score runs. Haddin is not in the side to be a number seven batsman and if you are expecting him to be Adam Gilchrist that is just ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous is expecting him to be on top of his game when he first comes to the wicket.

Stumps attempted defensive shot has failed and his castle has been flattened by a good ball that 'would've got most out'.

Haddin (a wicketkeeper) 173 at 34.6
Watson (an 'allrounder') 83 at 16.6

he's only about 1.25 times the cricketer now REB!!
Haddin should be under huge pressure IMO. Another soft dismissal off a part timer. (at least he didnt chip it to cover this time). He is definately the best man for the job but keeps struggling- he was horrible in India with the gloves- equally as bad last week in the 20/20 (constantly giggling like a child when he dropped one and looked silly)- he needs to pull his finger out

Twice the average, twice the Cricketer.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Clutching at straws a bit there Stumps. Both were carp today.

regards,

REB

[rod_rooster]

Sorry have been driving all day and haven't been near a computer. I know this is a bit late but just on Watto, Bwwwwaaaahhhhhaaaahhaaaaaaahhhhaaaaaaaaaaaa A dud of the highest order. He makes Scott Mullers selection almost look credible

I'm going to bump every single one of your negative posts about Watto when this tour is finished and he has established himself in the side.

Whilst people are bumping posts i thought i'd join in. Is Watto established yet NFC? Could've sworn that he would have been left out of the current match had the pitch not been a green top. He really took his chance today as well. Guess you should be bumping all my negative posts now that Watto is so entrenched in the Test side. Just keep your fingers crossed he doesn't make way for Krezja next week in Adelaide

[Rik E Boy]

rodney will take a terrible toll of this city no one will be spared NO ONE!!

Heh heh a terrible vision of things to come!

regards,

REB