Pakistan vs India 2nd test Kolkata 16-20 march

[vvvrulz]

I'm always prepared to cut umpires some decent slack if they make a wrong decision or two, however this isn't the first time that Bucknor has got it wrong, in fact its happen somewhat frequently over the past few years. He has clocked up his 100th test as an umpire and was the best in the business during his prime. But I think now is a time to reconsider where his place is, as decisions like the Tendulkar dismissal could be absolutely critical to a match's outcome.

[Nikhil]

Originally Posted by Shaka

What are you basing that on?

Basing on the fact that there have been some actrocious decision given by him over the last few years. As I said earlier, he was super in his good years, but age catches up with everyone.

I don't want to blame him, but facts are facts. There was daylight (even though rather insufficient. Tendulkar had infact appealed for bad light, which was turned down) between the bat and the ball. When there is such as day light between bat and the ball, even if the ball deviates, it can't be because touching the bat.

IMO India should be praying that Bucknor doesn't report some of the Indian bowlers for wild and excessive appealing. Rudi, Hair and Broad certainly weren't prepared to put up with such antics in the last test match.

Everyone appeals. Pakistan players are no angels at appealing either. India hve been made an example, because Mike Denniss (spelling) banned six of their players for excessive appealing. In the same match, I saw Pollock make one of the longest appeals ever and was conviniently overlooked.

When you have such umpires, who are likely to give wrong decisions, there is nothing bad in appealing for something that is blatantly not out, as Pakistan found out yesterday.

[Nikhil]

Anyway, coming back to the match, India seem to be getting into a good position. Ganguly fell early (surprise!! surprise!!!). Woolmer seemed to have directed Sami to bowl some short stuff. That took care of Ganguly as expected. Laxman got hit by one, but fortunately seems to be alright. After that it was a waste of space and time by Sami. Bowling short stuff is one thing, bowling *quality* short stuff is totally different. It should be used as a surprise and not as stock delivery.

Dravid is playing as usual. It hardly surprised me anymore to see Dravid playing calmly and controlling the inning when the chips are down. He's becoming a legend. At lunch India are 215/4 and the lead is 229. Dravid is 89* and Karthik is 31*. This is a good knock by him so far.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Shaka

IMO India should be praying that Bucknor doesn't report some of the Indian bowlers for wild and excessive appealing. Rudi, Hair and Broad certainly weren't prepared to put up with such antics in the last test match.

I don't know why the ICC doesn't just deal with this porperly: bowlers must know when a ball would definitely have missed the stumps (by inches rather than fractions).. or when the ball's pitched more than significantly outside the line: all they have to do is put a one match ban on for each outrageous appeal and it would soon dry up :-)

Might mean more caps for the "A" team players of some countries as entire attacks are banned though :-D

[Paoli]

Chasing 422, Pakistan are 38-0. Going along nicely, Afridi in some solid touch, and seems in career best (Rephrase most consistent) form.

What they need is a blasting for Afridi, preferrably 50+ more added to his score of 26, which can give Pakistan realistic hope of 350 on the final day...

Originally Posted by vvv

this isn't the first time that Bucknor has got it wrong, in fact its happen somewhat frequently over the past few years. He has clocked up his 100th test as an umpire and was the best in the business during his prime. But I think now is a time to reconsider where his place is

Couldn't agree more. 2007 World Cup at the absolute latest

[Ernest]

Forgetting umpires for a moment, that man Dravid is putttung India in the box seat, he has scored another good 100.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4362125.stm

Sounds like quir a game

Originally Posted by BBC

India declared on 407-9, to set Pakistan an unlikely target of 422 to win the second Test in Calcutta.


Rahul Dravid (135) posted his second century of the match, putting on 165 with wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik (93) to put the home side in command.

Earlier, Mohammad Sami dismissed Sourav Ganguly cheaply and struck VVS Laxman on the eye during a fiery spell. But, as in Mohali, the tourists will have to bat out more

Super stuff, all three innings up to now being 400, or there abouts, wonder if Pakistan will go for as win?, or would they be better trying to secure a draw?.

[Paoli]

Shahid Afridi has just made a half century..Would anybody watching it be able to give a score??

[vvvrulz]

95/1 at stumps, Afridi dismissed.

Took the bait and holed out to short fine leg, Kumble stuck the cruical blow. Afridi fell for a run-a-ball 59, could prove to be a game-breaking innings. As Paoli quoted, he is looking much more consistant than ever before, could be a huge asset to the Pakistani's.

327 to win, with Taufeeq, Younis, Youhana and Inzamam, anything can happen.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by vvvrulz

Took the bait and holed out to short fine leg, Kumble stuck the cruical blow. Afridi fell for a run-a-ball 59, could prove to be a game-breaking innings. As Paoli quoted, he is looking much more consistant than ever before, could be a huge asset to the Pakistani's.

Yep but again he is out. He may have scored his runs at a good pace, but he is back in the Pavilon now and will be for the whole of the fourth innings.

Yes he may have got a 50, but he should still be out there. Sounds more like a highly irresponsible innings to me.

[Shaka]

It's the way he plays, he was batting reasonably sensibly but then Ganguly went around the wicket and started bowling into the rough. With seven balls to go, anyone else would have just padded the ball away as there is no chance of an lbw, but I knew straight away that Afridi would lose patience and attempt to attack instead. I wouldn't say the innings was irresponsible but that shot certainly was.

Theoretically Pakistan have every chance of making that score, but with it being the last day, the ball will start to keep low, and I think they should bat out for a draw. If we don't lose wickets by mid-afternoon the situation can be re-assessed, but a lot will depend on how Kumble and Harbajhan bowl. If we can keep wickets intact they might start to feel the pressure and offer loose bowling.