Cricket Test Series 2014: Australia v India

[Pushka]

Thanks QF WP.Cricket really isn't prime time here in Thailand.

Master P is currently in Ko Lat(?). Not finding much cricket either.

 

[Pushka]

And following from that we will be in Bangkok for the Boxing Day test and Ko Tao for New Years. Hmm. Might need to sort that out somehow.

Although I do recall streaming the Ashes from the radio app while sitting near the Blue Mosque in Istanbul this year. Optus $10 a day global roam in is pretty good.

 

[JohnK]

We were very lucky to win. India fought well. They didn't deserve to lose.

Betting the Indians regret not having a review system.

Here is a funny thought.

No DRS in this series. So why check for no-ball? Why not check if the ball was anywhere near the bat for caught decisions?

Is Clarke's absence likely to make a difference in this series?

 

[turtlemichael]

We were very lucky to win. India fought well. They didn't deserve to lose.


Here is a funny thought.

No DRS in this series. So why check for no-ball? Why not check if the ball was anywhere near the bat for caught decisions?

Is Clarke's absence likely to make a difference in this series?

Judging no balls, and indeed stumpings and run outs, is done not by DRS "technology" but just plain old video which the Indians think is okay.

I think Clarke's absence is not likely to be a major issue with regard to batting as he has become very inconsistent over the last 12-18 months. His recent record is not great apart from his century in Cape Town, which I saw live and regard is as the most gutsy innings I've ever seen and, of course, his century last week. He performs well under extreme pressure but not consistently now. His captaincy will be missed but I am glad they picked Smith to look to the future.

 

[QF WP]

Josh Hazlewood gets a call up -along with others. Waiting on ABC Radio to advise full team

 

[codash1099]

Josh Hazlewood gets a call up -along with others. Waiting on ABC Radio to advise full team

Don't tell me you're at the ground already!

 

[QF WP]

No, but my father and uncle were at the ground for today's pre-Test lunch (at the Qld Cricketers Club). Let's just say they got home at 7pm and we're both in bed by 9pm

Alas, I have to work - tomorrow and Thursday with clients in Brisbane then a trip to MEL on Friday (first flight down at 5am, one meeting at 10am then the 2:05 flight back). I then have to head back to work to give my staff the fruits of my labour.

But come Saturday - look out for the posts

 

[QF WP]

Josh Hazlewood just presented with his baggy green by Glen McGrath. Steve Smith presented with his captains blazer by Mark Taylor.

 

[Pushka]

How the heck did Nugget get the gig to travel around Australia with the Team?

He's a great guy. Always remembers the player's partners names even if he hasn't seen them for years. But he usually just sticks to Adelaide Oval. Good on him.

 

[QF WP]

India have won the toss and elected to bat. Now it is really humid in Brisbanne this morning with projected afternoon storms. Should swing in the first hour. Let's go get them lads.

[TABLE="class: squad-table, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TH="class: match-n-time-head"]Day 1 - Session 1Current time 10:01 local, 00:01 GMT[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][TABLE="class: team-1, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: team-1-name"]Australia Team[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: player-names"]CJL Rogers, DA Warner, SR Watson, SPD Smith*, SE Marsh, MR Marsh, BJ Haddin†, MG Johnson, MA Starc, NM Lyon, JR Hazlewood[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][TABLE="class: team-2, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: team-2-name"]India Team[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: player-names"]S Dhawan, M Vijay, CA Pujara, V Kohli, AM Rahane, RG Sharma, MS Dhoni*†, R Ashwin, I Sharma, VR Aaron, UT Yadav[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

9.55am "We have done well on some of the fastest tracks," MS Dhoni said at the toss, when asked about India playing at the Gabba. He was referring to some of India's recent overseas wins, which have come on helpful surfaces at Lord's (2014), Durban (2010-11), Perth (2007-08) etc.
"It's quite hot," Dhoni said, about his decision to bat first. "It's a hard wicket with pace and bounce, but after the first hour, it will be good for batting."
Steven Smith, meanwhile, said it was a good toss to lose. "The quicks are excited to play on a pitch with pace and bounce after the UAE and Adelaide last week, and hopefully they'll put it in the right areas."

 

[QF WP]

First ball bowled... I can't believe I'm not there [first time in 25+ years]

0.1
Johnson to Vijay, no run, length ball on a fifth-stump line, left alone, and it carries through in a very TV-friendly way, Haddin collecting over his head

 

[RB]

Looks like a good day of cricket coming up. Good pace in the wicket

 

[QF WP]

After 6 overs, a change in bowler - Mitchell Starc on for Mitchell Johnson. I think they will stick to short, sharp spells to rotate the bowlers on a VERY muggy day. Lots of water all round.

Plenty of beers being sunk by my father, uncle and our regular group of clients ...*sob*

At least they haven't posted pictures to me - but they did telephone me, supposedly to ask how I was (as I sent a message just prior to the first ball). They appeared most concerned (apparently)

Now 0/36 after 9 overs, Dhawan 11 & Vijay 25.

 

[QF WP]

Been away getting my ears lowered and got back to my mobile to see the lunch score:



India win the first session

 

[RB]

Thought Hazlewood bowled a bit short but that is a bit of the style of bowler he is. Plenty of bowling changes with Starc only getting 3 overs in the session!

 

[QF WP]

Starc on though first after lunch:

12.40pm Out come the players again. It's Starc to begin.

Vijay brings up his 50 in the first over after lunch. 1/95, Vijay 52, Pujara 15

 

[QF WP]

India have reach 1/100 - at the end of the 31st over. Since then, 2 maidens in a row. But as noted by one of the commentators:

Milind: "Just 14 runs from last 10 overs! Is it very good bowling - or batsmen are being too cautious?" Mostly, excellent fielding. They saved four potential boundaries in the 30th and 31st overs.

 

[RB]

Doubtful decision gives Hazlewood his 1st wicket

 

[QF WP]

Yes, the tight bowling/fielding worked:

3.3Hazlewood to Pujara, OUT, Gone, and that's a poor decision from Ian Gould! bouncer, and that followed Pujara. He swayed away and then his hands went up to shield his face as it came in off the pitch. It popped to the keeper, and the umpire immediately gave it out. Pujara stood there for a while, and you can see why, because it went straight off his helmet.

CA Pujara c †Haddin b Hazlewood 18 (86m 64b 1x4 0x6) SR: 28.12

See, they should have opted for DRS

 

[JohnK]

Oh dear. Another howler from Gould. Off the helmet. How can you get it so wrong?

Umpires are supposed to he professionals?