Australia v India Test Series: General Discussion

[Warks]

All out with a 32 run lead. Lyon gets 5. Good comeback. I thought we were looking at a 100 run deficit there. Want to knock those runs off and build a total. Over 250 will test India you'd think but who knows? Pitch playing well. Hope we can keep out the 'Chinaman' this time.

 

[JohnK]

And now we are 3/32 without Smith. Oh dear....

 

[BacchusMarsh]

India left the quicks on a couple of overs too long, they obviously don't have the fitness.

Australia still not too badly placed.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Great battle now. Good cricket. Does maxwell have a Silver Hammer though? Hope so.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

5/92 at tea.......looking like another loss coming up unless our tail bats more runs than usual. Time will not be an issue in India chasing.

 

[clazman]

Will they continue picking Marsh ?

 

[JohnK]

What would we need to be competitive? 150? 200? Looks like something there for the quicks and the spinners if they're prepared to take the risks.

Need one of those miracles.

 

[Warks]

Could be yet another twist in the tale of this series. I can't see India losing from here but anything over 120 may be a lot of work if our bowlers do their job. That's still 60 runs away though. Losing two wickets right on tea was the worst case scenario. Well Marsh was out before he went in probably but Handscomb was a blow. Smith scored more than double any other Aus batsman in the series which tells a story in itself.

 

[QF WP]

Eeek, only just catching up with Day 2 and 3 action because of my travels. Thought that getting the Indians out with a lead of only 32 was fortunate but need to see the 5 Aussie wickets that have fallen to see whether it was good bowling or poor batting. Maxwell and Wade our saviours? Doubt it. Time is our enemy and I can't see it going beyond lunch on Day 4.

 

[Cossie]

Bit sad to come back to the hotel, logon and see what has happened. I'd really, really like know why they have persisted with smarsh, surely this has to be the end for him (and hopefully his brother)

I hope some journalists out there ask the selectors and coach, seeing as I can't! Yes, I know it's easy being an armchair critic....

 

[BacchusMarsh]

I'd really, really like know why they have persisted with smarsh

Well, he's one of the main reasons Australia aren't 2-1 down (yet).

 

[Warks]

It's really looking like a disappointing finish after all the twists and turns. Maxwell out for 45. A lead of only 76. A lot of defence now. At least they should stretch the game until tomorrow. But that 120 is miles away still.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Will they continue picking Marsh ?

Of course, unfortunately. Harder to be dropped than get in. Plus, he did have one good innings... (I'm forced to say.)

 

[JohnK]

Can't blame just one individual.

The openers averaging 24 and 30 something is a good start. Smith, Handscomb and Maxwell the only ones to do anything apart from one innings from SMarsh saving the previous test.

 

[JohnK]

All out 137. India 106 to win with 6 more overs today.

Either that was an excellent bowling performance from India or a woeful batting effort from us. Saved our worst for last.

Here's hoping for that miracle.

 

[turtlemichael]

Miracles have been known to happen but I won't count on it in this case. On the batting front, the reality is that if Smith fails they are usually in deep do-do. As for Marsh with an average 0f 37 at second wicket down and just 4 centuries in 23 tests at age near 34 it is time to join his father and younger brother as "could-have-beens".

 

[BacchusMarsh]

The approach after Australia went six down wasn't all that smart. 21.2 overs for 31 runs. Good to take the game into a fourth day when the pitch might start misbehaving, but if Wade and coughmins had started hitting out immediately, the potential upside was way more than 31 runs. India did that much better earlier in the day from six down.

 

[QF WP]

But a disappointing end to the days play. Wade and Maxwell were the only hope. Well tomorrow afternoon should be a mere formality for the Indians. Disappointing finish

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Disappointing finish

I lost a fair bit of respect for Smith with the f'ing cheat remark.

 

[moa999]

I lost a fair bit of respect for Smith with the f'ing cheat remark.

No different to Kohlis statements

Slips catch like that you shouldn't be celebrating like you know you caught it. Clear case of fingers into grass - could easily have bounced or you could have pushed it in - let the umps make the call.