1st test AUS V IND

[fair_&_balance]

Clarke and Gilli are running away with the match.Indians better do something.If they dont break this partnership in next 50-60 minutes they are in deep trouble. Runs are flowing thick and fast which is expected when Gilli is on wicket.

[SSA.]

The partnership was broken - but now Clarke is taking Kumble on.

Sensational debut! This young man shows a lot of promise for Australia.

[Shaka]

Damn...how come the Aussies keep pulling these guys from the hat?

[Shaka]

This one is almost over before day 2. Australia got to 474 and India are on the ropes at 150-6. It always amazes me to see Indians criticising Tendulkar on other boards, because for me, whever he's not there the batting line up looks 100% more vulnerable.

England fans looking forward to the Ashes should note bowling figures of Mcgrath who took 3 wickets for not very many. The bloke's not finished yet don't start writing him off too soon!

[sanz]

This is what happens when you pick a team on reputation and not on performance. Atleast 3 Indian batsmen Yuvraj, Sehwag and Dravid have been out of form for sometime and yet they were picked and the ersult is India 136/6. I can understand the selction of Dravid and Sehwag, but the selection of Yuvraj Singh has been baffling. We could have played Kaif, Dinesh (mongia) or Sriram or any other batsmen who has shown form in last month or so.

Anyways lets see, the more I see this test, the more it folds like Mumbai (first) test in 2001. Australia were at pretty much similar position before Gilly scored a century there. I hope Indian batting recovers well in the second inning otherwise we will see a whooping in 3 days and mark my words this is no 2001, this time Australia wont let the advantage slip away.

[Zainub]

Australia now holds this match from the very scruff its neck, with India left high and dry once again by their batsmen, and as Amit Varma would say, class is no doubt permanent, but it is form that is necessary. By lunch tomorrow half of this test match would have already been played, and few would bet again Australia keeping the upper hand until than. And when you have been behind for that long enforcing a come back will take nothing short of a marvel, perhaps not in the same proportion as the famous ‘miracle of Calcutta’, but a revival of sorts nevertheless.

[fair_&_balance]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

Australia now holds this match from the very scruff its neck, with India left high and dry once again by their batsmen, and as Amit Varma would say, class is no doubt permanent, but it is form that is necessary. By lunch tomorrow half of this test match would have already been played, and few would bet again Australia keeping the upper hand until than. And when you have been behind for that long enforcing a come back will take nothing short of a marvel, perhaps not in the same proportion as the famous ‘miracle of Calcutta’, but a revival of sorts nevertheless.

Yep.. Very poor performance by Indian. First 2 overs of Macgrath did the main trick., With Sachin not being in Team Indians were heavily banking on Dravid but Alas that beauty from MAcgrath.
Only thing intresting to see would be will AUS force follow on if tehy get fewer than 250 runs lead considering they might have to bat last on this wicket if there was any good reply by India in next Inning ( say 400 or 450 runs).

Talking of 'Miracle of Calcutta'..Well Miracles dont happen everyday thats why they are called Miracles in first place

[Zainub]

I think it is highly, very highly unlikely IMO that Australia will enfore the follow on. They will look to skid these 4 wickets out as early as possible and look to post a total in the region of 500 at least, ideally they would like to give them selves at least 3 and a quarter sessions if not more to get India out for the second time. It will be interesting to see what their approach will be when they bat second time around.

[fair_&_balance]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

I think it is highly, very highly unlikely IMO that Australia will enfore the follow on. They will look to skid these 4 wickets out as early as possible and look to post a total in the region of 500 at least, ideally they would like to give them selves at least 3 and a quarter sessions if not more to get India out for the second time. It will be interesting to see what their approach will be when they bat second time around.

I think if they get lead of anything more than 250 they would bat again. But issue will come if the lead is smaller. Beacuse If India asks them to chase 200 odd in 4th inning then it can be tough. But then these are if and buts. lets see how it goes.

[Shaka]

So f&b, you must be disappointed with Indian batting and bowling. I haven't been able to see any of the matches as it's PPV, so what's gone wrong? is it just good bowling by Oz or could Indian batsmen have played better? I think India need a back up spinner too as I don't think Harbajhan is effective any more. Like Saqlain his doosra has been worked out by the top players at least that's the impression I get.