India v England, 1st Test, Ahmedabad, 15-19 November, 2012

Finally we get to see the test cricket after months and months of fake cricket!!!! Even FC games (with obscure players) are better than fake cricket.

Bring on the test cricket!!

Incidentally, Tendulkar completes 23 years in int'l cricket on the opening day of this test.

When does the Indian team get announced, SG?

On the fifth.

Well naturally, England have a whole world of problems. As for their final XI, I'd go for-

Cook(c)
Compton
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Patel
Prior+
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn

And Finn's injury?

I doubt they'll pick Finn. I think they would have, but as Trike says the injury has most likely curtailed his inclusion.

I guess a good score from Morgan would throw a spanner in the works. Bell's spot under threat, perhaps?

Nah, they'll let Ronnie play the 1st Test just because he's going home for the sproggage. Then they don't upset any of their 122 applecarts.

Will Compton Jr a certainty to play in the first test now that he has 2 failures in 2 innings on this trip?

As for India this would probably be their final XI.

Gambhir (as much I hate it)
Sehwag (as much I hate it)
Pujara
Tendulkar
Kohli
Yuvraj (as much I hate it)
Dhoni (as much I hate it)
Ashwin
Zaheer
Yadav
Ojha

SG wrote:Will Compton Jr a certainty to play in the first test now that he has 2 failures in 2 innings on this trip?

Still up for grabs, I reckon. It'll come down to the third warm up - just seen an interview with Cook and he's still in two minds. I think he wants the least amount of Northerners in there that he can though, so that's in Compton's favour.

SG wrote:As for India this would probably be their final XI.

Gambhir (as much I hate it)
Sehwag (as much I hate it)
Pujara
Tendulkar
Kohli
Yuvraj (as much I hate it)
Dhoni (as much I hate it)
Ashwin
Zaheer
Yadav
Ojha

No Rahane? You're maaadd.

But but how will Yuvi come back?

No Rahane? You're maaadd.

I'd have him if I had my way immediately after India's disastrous tour of Eng last year. But then it doesn't matter what you and I feel about him.

Another talent who has been hard done by Indian selectors is Manoj Tiwary. Instead we're promoting FTBs like Raina in test cricket.

I repeat likes of Yuvraj and Raina should not be anywhere near test cricket.

Still up for grabs, I reckon. It'll come down to the third warm up - just seen an interview with Cook and he's still in two minds. I think he wants the least amount of Northerners in there that he can though, so that's in Compton's favour.

Could be a huge gamble if Eng still play him in the first test. I read somewhere he scored really heavily in county cricket.

SG wrote:
I'd have him if I had my way immediately after India's disastrous tour of Eng last year. But then it doesn't matter what you and I feel about him.

Another talent who has been hard done by Indian selectors is Manoj Tiwary. Instead we're promoting FTBs like Raina in test cricket.

I repeat likes of Yuvraj and Raina should not be anywhere near test cricket.

Aye, Manoj and Rahane are averging nearly 60 in FC cricket with a decent amount of games under their belt. It's ridiculous that even now they aren't being given a game. We all know what Yuvi and Raina can do in Tests - f*ck all.

SG wrote:Could be a huge gamble if Eng still play him in the first test. I read somewhere he scored really heavily in county cricket.

Not that big a gamble - at the very least he can only do as badly as Andrew Strauss.

At least Strauss had such a tremendous Indian trip last time round.

If Comp Jr can be half as good as Strauss was Eng should be very pleased.

SG wrote:At least Strauss had such a tremendous Indian trip last time round.

If Comp Jr can be half as good as Strauss was Eng should be very pleased.

I just meant from the fact that if he gets out early then we're used to being one wicket down quickly over the last year or more.

But yeah, if Compton could get 30 Tests (meaning he warrants his place) then he should be very pleased.

Meaker's been called up as cover for Finn.

Oo err. Finn's gone all Aussie.

I can't see how they can drop Bairstow considering how well he played in his last test at Lord's PLUS his century in the warm up match here. I mean, what else could he have done to retain his place?? Also, Samit is having the time of his life in his mother-land against spinners and medium pacers on flat decks. He's almost certain to bat at six in the first test.

If they're so desperate to keep Ian Bell in the side, then maybe HE should open with Cook? He might have half a chance against the new ball before the spinners come on.

Brass Monkey wrote:

SG wrote:Will Compton Jr a certainty to play in the first test now that he has 2 failures in 2 innings on this trip?

Still up for grabs, I reckon. It'll come down to the third warm up - just seen an interview with Cook and he's still in two minds. I think he wants the least amount of Northerners in there that he can though, so that's in Compton's favour.

Are there are more real Southern Africans available?