Cricket Test Series 2014: Australia v India

[QF WP]

Declare, or Not to Declare - that is the question:

Tim: "Following from the talk of rain, Clark must be tempted to declare now and let india sweat for a while till the rain subsides"

Mark: "@Tim - if Clarke does declare (and I don't think him being on 98 will change his decision, he is very un-selfish when it comes to his personal records), he wouldn't do it now. He would do it after they have given a start time so the Indian openers has less time to prepare."

I like Mark's thinking . Also improves both Clarke and Smith's batting average

 

[QF WP]

Rain is heavier doesn't look good unfortunately.

But looks good after this current cloud has gone through Adelaide: 128 km Adelaide (Buckland Park) Radar Loop

 

[QF WP]

2.40 pm If only this was a situation where no news was good news. The rain had come down pretty steadily and it seems to have stayed. The forecast did say there was a thunderstorm on the horizon, and it also said things will improve soon. We'll bring you an update as soon as possible.

methinks that if there is a resumption in play and the rain stays away, then there will be additional play today and early start tomorrow morning

Frame 4 at 14:40 CDT in the BOM site seems to indicate that the rain cloud will soon leave Adelaide in its wake.

 

[QF WP]

Hallelujah

2.50 pm "Stopped raining. Ground staff being cheered on as they come to the field" says Sid Monga from the ground. Dan Brettig says things are a bit damp though. Hopefully the showers stay away while work is being done to get the ground ready

3.00 pm The umpires are out on the field now and the main cover is being pulled off the square...

 

[QF WP]

The day gets better. I then open my Qantas December Statement email and find this:
Win the Ultimate Cricket Fans Experience | Qantas AU

Now that would be seriously nice - I think I'll enter

In order to be eligible to enter the competition, you have purchased air travel with Qantas before 9 January 2015 and a match ticket to the 2014/2015 Cricket Season, answer the question below in 25 words or less and register your details before 9 January 2015.

Hmmm, I wonder if my QCC match ticket is eligible

 

[QF WP]

Play will resume at 3.30 pm

Great, 10 minutes to get some work done

 

[QF WP]

As I mused above, they have dispensed with the tea break and play will continue for a further 30 minutes after normal stumps (light and weather permitting).

Back to normal programming:

104.6
Aaron to Clarke, 1 run, clipped away off his thighs and picks up his 28th hundred in Tests. Clarke lifts his helmet and kisses the Australia crest. Warm appreciation from the Adelaide crowd. His average is skyrocketing here

Makes that pain lessen for a moment . No high jumping like Smith and Warner

 

[QF WP]

Smith is on the rampage for quick runs and the Indian bowlers are asssiting him. He's scored five 4's in the last 3 overs, including 3 from the last over of Aaron (15 runs in total). Now 130 n.o.

Then next over:

109.1
KV Sharma to Smith, no run, missed stumping by Saha. Beautiful flight from Karn even as the batsman was dancing down the track and with Smith in this mood, wanting to slog everything, he plays against the turn and survives as Saha barely tracked the ball.

Just shows the woes of the Indian team at present...

 

[QF WP]

Smith is at it again...another two 4's lift him to 142 n.o. and Aust 6/469.

I think that the Aussies want Smith to get 150 and/or a total of 500, then bring Siddle, Johnson and Harris and to terrorise their openers. Still 37 overs left in the (extended) day.

 

[QF WP]

Back off again, no wonder the flurry of runs:

And with that shot another shower arrives.

The umps are still out there, they're checking with the groundsmen. But the covers are firmly on

Currently 6/473. Clarke 109, Smith 142...

 

[QF WP]

Poignant and funny post from one of the Indian commentators:

​Sriram Sridhar: "Rain has been our best bowler so far in day 2. Bowling short spells regularly, putting Australian attack on hold and frustrating them."

 

[Pushka]

This is a fantastic photo courtesy of news.com.au

 

[QF WP]

4.35 pmThe rain continues on, light keeps fading. Wonder if we'll get any more play today. We still have a good hour's time though.

and

4.50 pm Rain has stopped, reports Sid Monga. Groundstaff are making their way out again. The main cover is coming off now

Here's to some more play today - I should be abe to get the last 30 mins on radio on my drive home

 

[QF WP]

Hmmm, groundkeepers must have been getting a lot of water off the outfield to make it playable [presuming the pitch was okay]:

Play to begin at approximately 5.50 pm

 

[Pushka]

Seems like another heavy cloud bank coming in. Sad for the cricket but it's been so dry here that rain is welcome.

 

[QF WP]

Well they got some play in, enough for Clarke to go from 109 to 128 and get out:

119.2
KV Sharma to Clarke, OUT, no mistake this time. Clarke goes for a sweep and has found square leg. Adelaide stands up to appreciate their captain. The coach pats him on the head as he walks back, his family is there as well. Looks quite weary as he walks off.
MJ Clarke c Pujara b KV Sharma 128 (244m 163b 18x4 0x6) SR: 78.52

and Smith to go from 142 to 162 n.o.

See that bad light has stopped play early and they'll be looking to make up with an early start tomorrow.

7/517 at stumps.

I'm sure that others may have noticed the partnership between Smith and Clarke was 163.

 

[Pushka]

Sunny today. And windy in the east but ok in the CBD.

 

[QF WP]

I'll bet Clarke declares either just before play starts or gives Steve & Mitchell licence to go for broke until first wicket falls.

Makes more sense to give our quicks first go on a seaming pitch.

Mr Pushka will have itchy fingers this morning...

 

[QF WP]

As expected:

Australia have declared overnight. Early morning conditions, an India batting line-up under pressure and if Mitchell Johnson woke up on the right side of his bed, look out!

Busy day today, so I'll pop in from time to time.

 

[QF WP]

AAarrgghhhh!!!

2.1
Johnson to Dhawan, no run, dropped by Haddin behind the stumps, but it comes off the inside edge. Bit of a tough take. The ball was dropping on him and he had to dive forward and a long way to his right as well. Good length ball that darted back in to exploit the gap between bat and pad as Dhawan looks to block.

Damn, would have been the start we wanted. He then hit three 4's in the same over...may be an expensive miss.