Australia v India Test Series: General Discussion

[QF WP]

I'd have given you 500/1 of Australia winning, so I'm glad we didn't bet

I also wonder how many Indian punters have lost big on the result (unless they threw the game because of bribery). That might also start the process of cleaning up their cricket hierarchy.

How good is that? After my little hissy fit on Thursday, there was no way that I thought this would happen, even in my wildest dreams.

Serves india right, pitch manipulation is a curse on the game, maybe, just maybe, they will learn something from this, doubt it though!

It will be very interesting to see what sort of pitches they serve up now after such a comprehensive loss.

 

[QF WP]

Kohli said (no sour grapes at all) that "even a part timer could have taken four wickets".

I was as full of foreboding as the OP thinking that even 0-3 would be seen as a minor victory. But they've proven me wrong. The pressure is back on India as Aus only have to draw the series to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Not sure that Mitch Marsh is essential to Australia's plans. Mitch Starc has a better batting average and has scored 9 Test 50s vs 2 for Marsh.

At least we can enjoy one week of this tour before Bangalore. I envisage roads for the rest of the Tests which may encourage draws more than wins really. Provided Aus can make the most of the surfaces.

Wickets being taken are always a combination of good bowling and poor shot selection. I also wonder if the next couple of pitches will be changed - but a week out, the Balgalore pitch shouldn't be able to be re-doctored much to reflect a massive change (unless they drop in a pre-prepared pitch).

I'm not sure that either Marsh should be in the next Test. They (One of them?) may have history on Indian pitches getting runs, but I'd rather have 2 more Renshaws. He has shown that his pick for the last Test series was a seriously good one. He just needs to have a cast iron gut to make sure he doesn't get Bangalore Belly (now that he knows all about Pune puke). Bet he'll be eating differently before this Test.

 

[Cossie]

I'd have given you 500/1 of Austrlia winning, so I'm glad we didn't bet

I also wonder how many Indian punters have lost big on the result (unless they threw the game because of bribery). That might also start the process of cleaning up their cricket hierarchy.

That did cross my mind as well, you never know these days. harbajan has come out and supposedly said that it was the pitch, anyone could have taken that many wickets. Former indian captains are lining up to say the next pitches should be as flat as possible.

I wonder if the curator at Pune still has a job?

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'd have given you 500/1 of Australia winning, so I'm glad we didn't bet

As Messrs Lillee and Marsh would tell you. Always put a bet on a cricket team when the odds are 500/1!

 

[Warks]

There was that pitch in 2004 (Nagpur) where Michael Clarke took 6-9 after Nathan Hauritz could barely get a wicket. Maybe that's what Kohli referred to!
Aus got bowled out for 93 after that (although the series was already won).

 

[JohnK]

Kohli said (no sour grapes at all) that "even a part timer could have taken four wickets".

Didn't Michael Clarke take 6/9 to win a match that should never have been won? Edit your post above confirms. And Allan Border took 11 against the West Indies at the SCG.

I'm not a fan of Lyon. Is O'Keefe a better bowler or was that performance a flash in the pan?

Our confidence is sky high. India look tired. Be careful that arrogance does not set in.

 

[QF WP]

Well I suppose we'll find out in subsequent Tests in India, plus whether he is picked for the follow up Tests in 2017. It may have been any combination of his ability, the batsmen, the pitch and/or conditions.

I would love to see a Series win by Australia as they are rare when playing away from home.

 

[Warks]

Yes it would be good to lay rest to the "flat track bullies" label. Even Steve Waugh's team were labelled as such. But if your team can score 500 odd on a flat track and then bowl out the opposition for far less on the same surface then what's wrong with that?

Still I'd love to see them be able to master spin, seam and swinging conditions! Swing especially - we'll never win a series in England again until they get a better handle on the swinging ball.

 

[Warks]

It's on again. Today from 3pm I think. They have early starts over there - 930am to 430pm. For the heat?

 

[RB]

India have won the toss & are batting

 

[VPS]

and are 189 all out - Gazza 8/50 - cmon boys

 

[QF WP]

I couldn't quite believe how well we did today - I turned it on when they were 3/120-odd IIRC and saw the 4th wicket (fortunate stumping) and thought okay they'll probably get 300-350. Was I shocked to see them all out for 189 (with opener Rahul getting 90 and nobody else above 30) and Gazza 8/50....blown away. Then our openers showed the grit that is required in India to finish 0/40. Woah, this is looking okay

AUS 40/0 (16.0 ov, DA Warner 23*, MT Renshaw 15*, R Ashwin 0/11) - Stumps | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[moa999]

Grit indeed, although Warner was lucky

Fantastic result for Lyon after just not getting he results in the 1st

 

[JohnK]

Winning the toss and bowled out on the first day. Flat track bullies....

 

[drron]

Of course it is because India just cannot cope with AGW.:shock:

 

[Warks]

Shocked again. Saw score at around 5/150. Nek minnit - all out 189! Lyon roars. I apologise for doubting.

Then not to be 3-20 at stumps was a huge boost. They were saying at the toss that day 2 would be the best batting day, not thinking that Australia would have the chance to bat for all of it. Today decides the series you'd think.

 

[coyote25]

I can't help but feel that this was the best day Australia has had in India in a Test Match ever. Kohli thought this was a typical Bengaluru (average first innings score 400+), Smith looked very worried losing the toss but we get them out cheaply and don't loss a wicket in response.

Is this the team that got humiliated by 7th ranked Sri Lanka 8 months ago (which I saw live) or the team that didn't seem to know how to bat in Hobart this summer?

Did I just see Warner bat for 50 balls and go at under 50% strike right? Who are these guys??? Massive turn around.

But Day 2 is the real Test. We need a big lead after the 1st innings. This will be a terrible pitch to bat on last.

 

[RB]

Yesterday was a real struggle for me. Had to juggle the cricket, horse racing and first round of the NRL! Got to back up today with all 3 again, think I can do it, got my daily walk done early

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Renshaw has been an amazing find.

 

[JohnK]

I'm no expert but is 189 now looking like a competitive score? At current rate we will just gain a lead at end of days play. Guess I'll find out when I land in Singapore in 8 hours time.

Don't get too arrogant. It's not a nice trait. Be humble and don't laugh at the opposition.