It’s shaping up into a corking Test match over in Mohali. With two days to go, India lead by 301 with all second-innings wickets intact; they cantered to 100 for 0 in just 23 overs by stumps today. And, true to form, Shane Watson has said Australia “can chase down anything”, in a sub-conscious reference to his wild days on a pig farm, perhaps.
“I think we can win it,” he said. “If we’re set 430 or something in four or five sessions, I’ve got no doubt, if we bat well, we can chase down anything. The wicket is still playing well. There’s a bit of turn and the ball will go reverse. If we bat extremely well, I really believe we can chase down anything.”
It’s a good deck, for sure, but I’m far less confident than Watson. Fifth-day pitches in India are a spinners’ dream, and Amit Mishra already has five in the bag. Watch with interest.
With Australia’s predicament in mind, I was drawn to Chris Ryan’s piece on the Almighty-less side Ricky Ponting skippers:
It is too soon to guess how far Australia’s cricketers might fall. It is not easy to pinpoint the exact moment they peaked. But it seems reasonable to suppose they fielded no better team than the one they put on the park in 1997. That team had aces in most bowling departments, nigh-on infallible catchers, and just the right pinches of batting polish and grit. Underpinning all that was a keeper in Ian Healy who could pluck dragonflies with his tongue, and a fair and clever leader in Mark Taylor. Of the triumphant XI who guzzled champagne on the players’ balcony in Nottingham, only Ricky Ponting survives. Who else among the current lot might jag a spot on Tubby’s team? Mike Hussey would, coming in for graceful Greg Blewett, and Brett Lee would tip out trusty Paul Reiffel. No others.
It’s an interesting time, certainly. But if the seesaw is beginning to tilt away from Australia, it doesn’t take long for it to tip back quite dramatically. If, for example, they chase down 450 to beat India, once again Australia will be considered the all-powerful leviathon they once were. Albeit one whose cracks are widening as the years roll on.
Unfortunately I have to agree with you on this one SpryCorpse, we are being given a thrashing at the moment. Unless there is some divine intervention and we somehow take all ten wickets for under 50 runs, I can't see us chasing down the target. Our bowling just looks toothless at the moment.
On a lighter note (and possibly a shit-stirring one), if India win this test, will it be down to a dodgy umpiring decision. Should CA appeal to have Rudi banned, and if he isn't we'll boycott the rest of the tour. (Tongue firmly in cheek)
Krusty,I agree with you about rudi.But he did give watson not out & dhoni out didn't he??If oz appeals to have rudi banned ,so will india.That presents a rather unique situation wherein both sides agree.Even with rudi helping you out,you're getting a much-loved thrashing.(Tongue always in cheek).
Don't know what Watson is smoking. But India is currently giving the Aussies an old-fashioned thrashing.
It will be a major miracle if the Aussies can hold out for a draw.
India is playing with the buoyancy and confidence of a team that has sensed blood.
The Aussies will put up a game effort (I hope) but they have been well and truly outplayed so far in this Test.
Zaheer Khan looks like the best new-ball bowler in the world in this series, and he's certainly making Ponting eat his words (apart from one spell, which he recovered from). And Mishra looks like a great prospect for the future. The difference is in the bowling- India have an experienced and in-form attack, Australia have an out-of-form spearhead, an injured stockie, an inconsistent quick and a couple of rookies. Saying that, I still expect Australia to win at least one Test.
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