Aus vs India, 3rd Test, Perth, 16-20 Jan (II)

Batman wrote:

Nath wrote:MJ showing up the crap batsmen.

He and Clark were plain lucky to get as far as they did. They had too much luck on their side today. I was screaming out when all those mishits were landing in the no man's land. Those drops by Sehwag and Dravid. Unreal. It was all unreal. I thought I was dreaming.

Too true Vikas. Hence my amazement at how nervous your countrymen were getting. It had to end sooner or later.

skully wrote:

drunk as a monk wrote:And even if Viru had an average game with the bat, boy did he make it up with the ball!

How silly does India's decision not to open with Sehwag in the first two Tests look now?

Absolutely. He had been selected against conventional wisdom for this job and not utilized. Akash Chopra was unlucky to miss out for Sehwag. But once Sehwag was selected, getting Dravid to do his job was always a negative step back. Made me wonder why Kumble asked for him if he didn't have faith in him? A lot of Indian forummers have always advocated Dravid opening for Yuvraj to be brought in and I guess I have been in minority all the time in opposing it.

That said once again Laxman-Dravid have got us a test against Aus. This is another bit of history I look forward to seeing more later in October.

Batman wrote:

skully wrote:Tait is a bunny. No chance of them putting on 90.

Tait came, Tait saw, Tait did nothing. Tait's the story.

Yup. Nothing with a capital "N".

WideWally wrote:

skully wrote:So Rogers and Spud never to play for Australia again? Just kidding about the former.

Spud's played 3 tests for 2 losses & a draw. Not only has his bowling been disappointing but he's a jinx as well.

And Jebus he was bad. I almost felt sorry for him as Roy and Pup wheeled away for 20 overs or so (the camera kept being put on him). But then Punter threw him the ball and he bowled more tosh.

Batman wrote:I can see Kumble getting another 5 and Sehwag playing a bigger role as an off spinner. That said I see Aus winning if we can't give them anything less than 375.

1 out of 2 isn't too bad.

drunk as a monk wrote:Ponting speaking sense at the post-match ceremony!

Settle Vikas. Be gracious in victory.

Batman wrote:

Batman wrote:I can see Kumble getting another 5 and Sehwag playing a bigger role as an off spinner. That said I see Aus winning if we can't give them anything less than 375.

1 out of 2 isn't too bad.

Ironic that part-time spinners played such a big role in T2 and T3. Which makes the whole "we are going home unless Bhajji is cleared" thing so much more laughable.

HH_pink wrote:Sehwag was Kumble's brilliant idea!

I had no doubt he would bowl. I posted the same on page 8 [stumps when on day 3].

HH_pink wrote:Taylor asking Pathan stoopid questions.

Not really. He has caught Taylor's imagination. And also Waugh's. Waugh has been vocal about Pathan's long absence too in his column. Both ex-Aussie greats and captains really like him.

Yikes, Vikas is working his way through the whole thread!!

Batman wrote:

HH_pink wrote:Taylor asking Pathan stoopid questions.

Not really. He has caught Taylor's imagination. And also Waugh's. Waugh has been vocal about Pathan's long absence too in his column. Both ex-Aussie greats and captains really like him.

And rightly so. His seam position was outstanding and he made maximum use of the conditions available to him. A great performance that could well have been the difference between the two sides. Imagine if Johnson could copy Pathan's wrist position at delivery.

tac wrote:Read my posts, HH, I'm not bitter at all. I just don't agree with your comment in pure cricketing terms.

Example, NZ regularly use bowler friendly tracks to try and ambush touring teams (as India found out).

Don't know about HH, but my two cents worth on that series of 2003 against India.

Those grasslands were bad for test cricket undoubtedly. That said, while as an Indian fan, I didn't like it, I have always advocated that both sides got affected by it. Both sides bowling benefited and both tests were 3 day low scorers. In both tests, the margin of defeat was slender for India, 50 odd runs like. Too date I believe that India messed up by not winning either since we had a far superior batting side to not get past 250 even once. We should have got those 50-60 extra runs more needed to win in both tests with our batting line up. It was inexcusable that Kiwis squeezed out those handful of runs to win and we didn't.

I don't support those pitches but at the same time I don't excuse India for losing it either.

Irfan Pathan gave a good interview for the MOTM award, liked the the bit about getting mentally stronger everyday and he's shown he's got a lot of spirit and willingness to work his arse off.

spangler wrote:Irfan Pathan gave a good interview for the MOTM award, liked the the bit about getting mentally stronger everyday and he's shown he's got a lot of spirit and willingness to work his arse off.

Aye, great effort from Pathan. He was a lost boy for 2 years but has found his groove again. Top effort.

How many runs did the idiot Wozzie batsmen score between them on their home deck - would be lucky to be 100 wouldn't it?

125 to be precise JGK. Pretty piss poor effort that.

skully wrote:Settle Vikas. Be gracious in victory.

Accepted.

skully wrote:Yikes, Vikas is working his way through the whole thread!!

Thats coz, I stopped forumming the moment I had power back to see the TV. Actually my computer is in my workshop in the next building with back up power and my TV is where I live. So I can't possibly watch it and forum at the same time.

You use a lappie Vikas ? Or a PC ?

skully wrote:125 to be precise JGK. Pretty piss poor effort that.

And who would those be?

Congratulations India on a well deserved victory that was more emphatic than the final relatively narrow result indicates.

Very happy for Pathan, the pick of all the left arm quicks on display.
He's one to cherish for the future.

scully was quite right to suggest that the 9th wicket partnership was too good to last. However, I recall feeling exactly the same when Botham and Dilley set upon Australia at headingley in that nightmare that still visits Australians. So i sympathise with Indian nerves during that frustrating and exciting hour.

peterg wrote:Congratulations India on a well deserved victory that was more emphatic than the final relatively narrow result indicates.

Very happy for Pathan, the pick of all the left arm quicks on display.
He's one to cherish for the future.

scully was quite right to suggest that the 9th wicket partnership was too good to last. However, I recall feeling exactly the same when Botham and Dilley set upon Australia at headingley in that nightmare that still visits Australians. So i sympathise with Indian nerves during that frustrating and exciting hour.

Damn you peterg, damn you all to hell. Why must you bring up Headingley 81?

Batman wrote:

skully wrote:125 to be precise JGK. Pretty piss poor effort that.

And who would those be?

Rogers, Hussey and Gilchrist.

skully wrote:

Batman wrote:

skully wrote:125 to be precise JGK. Pretty piss poor effort that.

And who would those be?

Rogers, Hussey and Gilchrist.

Was aware of Hussey, but not of Gilly. Speaking of whom, his little squeeze ball stunt didn't work this time. He didn't get a chance to hit out the way he did in the WC final against Lanka.