1st test AUS V IND

[Beny]

great first day of cricket. Nice to see Katich bat at no.3 and make 80 odd and Clarke getting 76* on his debut.

[Shaka]

What's the score? 316-5? The pitch doesn't look like such a demon after all eh? Aussies will have to try and press home the advantage in this match and strike the first psychological blow. India are vulnerable without Tendulkar, and their batsmen have been short of form since tours to Australia and Pakistan.

[Richard Jenkins]

Heard all this aussie 'moaning' about the pitch before V SL, lots of aussie fans complained the pitches special qualities were' that it blows out to sea on the 4th day' as it was so dusty.
The aussies still won. Lets face it , they'd probably win playing test matches on a treacle pitch on the moon.If India win, i'll be surprised.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Shaka

What's the score? 316-5? The pitch doesn't look like such a demon after all eh?

Any pitch that sees more than 250 runs in a day against a full strength, decent quality Test attack should be classed as a belter: the Aussies managed 3.5 an over against some quality opposition here. which suggests to me that there was too LITTLE in the pitch for the bowlers.. not the reverse.

Top Test bowlers have rarely gone for anything more than 2.5 to 2.8 an over during their careers.. and have frequently done a lot better than that: either these bowlers (collectively) had the most appaling off day.. or those Aussies who moaned don't have a leg to stand on.

[Shaka]

Originally Posted by Rachael

either these bowlers (collectively) had the most appaling off day.. or those Aussies who moaned don't have a leg to stand on.

Yes I thought the reaction to the pitch was bordering on hysterical to be honest. You aren't going to get a track like Perth in India. Rahul Dravid will be the main man to stand in way of an Oz win here. The guy is always the last man to go down.

[fair_&_balance]

Overall great day for Aussies.I think Ponting being Injured may have become blessing in disguise for Aussies. Look at it
this way.They lose a terrible player against Spin and get the best player of spin in his place. I have never seen
any Aussies use his feet against spinner in a manner Michael Clarker Does.
Watch out world w wonderful Batsmen has arrived on TEST stage.

[Zainub]

There is no doubt that Australia will be the happier of the two sides at the end of day one. What a fine debut by Michael Clarke though, I wish in all sincerity that he goes on and makes a hundred – his was the most over due Australian debut since Mark Waugh who also made a 100 on debut. It will be interesting to note who is dropped after Ponting is fit again
given Clarke dose well in both the first 2 tests. And a very good inning by Katich as well. Shame he couldn't get a 100, probably deserved it.

For the moment now India will probably be looking to dismiss the remaining Australian batsmen for as little as they can - needless to say the first half and hour or so will be crucial , Gilchrist has already got him self in with a 35 not out of as many balls and if he and Clarke manage to put on a big partnership India might well conceede over 500 runs, and from that position more ofthen than not you are looking to save a match rather than win it. Although in Ind-Aus test matches such has been the contest in recent times it is very hard to predict anything. Kumble got his 400th wicket, but from what I've read it seems he didn't bowl as well as he could. India will be hoping we dose better tomorrow.


All in all , should be another exciting day of test cricket tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

[Nikhil]

The day belonged to the Aussies, but India by no means are out of it yet. There is a lot to be played and lot a to happen.

The first session tomorrow is going to be crucial. If India get two quick wickets and do not leak runs, the bowlers would have done the job. I think Indian batting is really going to be crucial on days two and three. I think India will get a couple of quick wickets, but then Gillispie will dig in deep and score a few. Eventually, the Aussies will end up with about 380-390 runs.

Then the batsmen will have a battle on the hands. As usual the opening partneship will be decisive.

[Shaka]

I think the Aussies will be disappointed if the don't get to around 420 from here. Who is left in the batting order? India will be under pressure but they have the batsmen to fight back and I still think this might be a draw. Warne might be the decisive factor because i don't care how good they play spin, Shane can bowl the unplayable deliveries that can break a team's back.

[fair_&_balance]

Originally Posted by Shaka

I think the Aussies will be disappointed if the don't get to around 420 from here. Who is left in the batting order? India will be under pressure but they have the batsmen to fight back and I still think this might be a draw. Warne might be the decisive factor because i don't care how good they play spin, Shane can bowl the unplayable deliveries that can break a team's back.

Whether they will get around 420 will depend on this partnership. This is last batting pair remaining. Warne and other canbat but I dont see them making runs in Indian conditions.

Talking about your comment on Warne's bowling.I agree, too much is being made out of Warne's previous failure in India. I think He will be different this time.