Series predictions, India v Australia

It's the pessimist in me, Dan. With their top 7, there is no way we will take 20 wickets if 4 flat decks are provided. Aus is prone to a bad session here and there these days, enough to get the Bannies across the line. Maybe 2-0 is overly dire, perhaps 1-0 in a tedious series may be closer to the mark.

Aussies can't play spin nowadays. India to dump two spinners in every match (regardless the pitch) and try bamboozle their way to victory!

skully wrote:It's the pessimist in me, Dan. With their top 7, there is no way we will take 20 wickets if 4 flat decks are provided. Aus is prone to a bad session here and there these days, enough to get the Bannies across the line. Maybe 2-0 is overly dire, perhaps 1-0 in a tedious series may be closer to the mark.

I'm looking for some fireworks, I'm sure both teams can at least get a little snarky

Aye, their top 7 is top drawer, they're finding ways to get out though. Aus have some young bowling talent, so it should at least provide some intriguing viewing in seeing how they go against the big boys.

MrPrez wrote:Aussies can't play spin nowadays. India to dump two spinners in every match (regardless the pitch) and try bamboozle their way to victory!

They did well versus Swann for the most part, but I agree in that I think Ashwin and Ojha could provide some real problems for Aus - I reckon they're useful on flattish decks too.

I'm just remembering their numerous collapses at the WC.

MrPrez wrote:I'm just remembering their numerous collapses at the WC.

Clarke(exceptional), Watson, Ponting and Hussey are all good players of spin. But they aren't as good as they used to be, that's for sure. They're certainly prone to a collapse, though usually the spinners haven't even had a chance to get on

It is surprising that the likes of Clarke, Watson, et al freeze when balls are swung in front of them

Clarke has always been like that... his 35 average was the flukiest I'd seen in 2005. Jury's out on Watson. Ponting was quite good at handling it, not as imperious as his usual form but still a cut above most. Think Hussey did pretty good in two or four series I can remember when the ball was moving, but there have been many when the ball wasn't doing much.

To be fair to this mob, we have struggled when the ball has swung for a long time. Even when we were at full pomp we struggled against a swinging cherry

Did I hear this morning that India had gone out to 3.20 to win the series?

G.Wood wrote:To be fair to this mob, we have struggled when the ball has swung for a long time. Even when we were at full pomp we struggled against a swinging cherry

Suppose most teams do, really. The average-fatted-up English batsmen of today are worse than their predecessors at handling swing bowling.

I blame facebook

I blame central contracts. The previous bunch didn't have the spoon-fed, back-massaged attitudes... it was sh!t yourself and dig in for the long haul. Most of these baton-swishers hardly know where the f*ck their off stump is. Prissy load of sherberts.

I blame teabags.

Brass Monkey wrote:I blame central contracts. The previous bunch didn't have the spoon-fed, back-massaged attitudes... it was sh!t yourself and dig in for the long haul. Most of these baton-swishers hardly know where the f*ck their off stump is. Prissy load of sherberts.

Certainly explains why they are bunch of numpties. Steve Smith is our 7th highest paid player ffs. Although that is about right when you consider that Midge is the 3rd highest.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

G.Wood wrote:

Certainly explains why they are bunch of numpties. Steve Smith is our 7th highest paid player ffs. Although that is about right when you consider that Midge is the 3rd highest.

Good Christ. Yeah, I mean Midge... but Steve Smith shouldn't be the 7th highest paid player in a park team, let alone in Aus' entire cricketing employment. Shambles!

tricycle wrote:With an intense dislike for Kohli, Yuvraj and Harbhajan.

you have excellent taste

Brass Monkey wrote:I blame central contracts. The previous bunch didn't have the spoon-fed, back-massaged attitudes... it was sh!t yourself and dig in for the long haul. Most of these baton-swishers hardly know where the f*ck their off stump is. Prissy load of sherberts.

Yep, bring back Kim Barnett and Aftab Habib.

I predict MAJOR PAIN - with Clarke being dumped in the Third test with Bobby SImpson being returned as captain and Lawry and Stackpole coming out of retirmenet to open the batting.

Henry wrote:

Exactly!

Invader Zim wrote:My series prediction...it'll all be very disappointing and skully will be to blame.

G.Wood wrote:I blame facebook

Brass Monkey wrote:I blame central contracts. The previous bunch didn't have the spoon-fed, back-massaged attitudes... it was sh!t yourself and dig in for the long haul. Most of these baton-swishers hardly know where the f*ck their off stump is. Prissy load of sherberts.

PeterCS wrote:I blame teabags.

Zimmy wins the virtual Mintie ...although Pete may be making a reference to one of skully's habits

it may be Pete's special name for skully

If it wasnt before ...it is now