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Australia’s lone pessimist speaks out
By Scott 9 months ago, Comments
Happy New Year from a thoroughly sun-drenched and baked Adelaide, where we’ve just finished our 4th 40 Celsius day in a row. Any English readers who wish to swap some cold and rain, please leave a note in the comments.
Meanwhile, the media hereabouts are starting to get stuck into the Indian team after their performance in Melbourne. Steve Waugh came out and said that Australia could stretch their winning run, currently at 15 Tests, to 30, if they continue their current form. If Steve Waugh thinks that, I shudder to think what Glenn McGrath thinks.
I was glad to see that Ricky Ponting has generally looked to just win the next game and not come out with any big statements of this nature. I think Australia will have their work cut out for them to hold India in Sydney. It is worth remembering when you look back at India’s poor performance in Melbourne that they’d only been in the country a little over a week, and their one warm-up fixture was washed out. I certainly expect India to put up a much better showing on a ground that suits their game. There will be a lot of runs and it will be hard work for the Australian bowlers to get India out this time around.
I actually think India have a good chance of winning at Sydney- they have two quality spinners, and good enough fast bowling, and some quality batsmen. They just have to bat first, perform with the bat, and put the Australian batsman under some real pressure when India bowl. Australian batsman haven’t had to deal with pressure for a while, and if that happens it will be a real test for them.Anil Kumble’s team has one injury worry though that could put a spanner in the works, with a cloud over Zaheer Khan. Zaheer bowled well in Melbourne and would be sorely missed.
CommentsAnother fine victory is just the present for Australia at Christmas
By Scott last year, at the end of December, Comments
Australia wrapped up the First Test against India today, winning by 337 runs in a commanding display. It would have been especially satisfying for Ricky Ponting and his merry men because it was done on a pitch which was tailor-made for Indian tastes, being slow, low, and having turn. But India’s batsmen were never able to come to grips with the tightness of Australia’s bowling, and so they were strangled to death by persistent bowling.
India’s bowling was honest, with Kumble in particular bowling some fine spells. But India’s efforts were totally sabotaged by the pathetic support that they got from the field. Time and again poor fielding from India turned ones into twos, and twos into threes. Over the course of the match, Australia probably stole close to 100 runs through poor Indian fielding, and saved close to another 100 through the excellence of their own fielding.
So Australia take a 1-0 lead. India must turn things around quickly as the Second Test in Sydney starts on the 2nd of January; only four days away. India made a present of this Test for Australia, and it remains to be seen how much more generous the Indians are prepared to be to the Australians; a team who don’t particularly need the gifts of their opponents.
CommentsThoughts of day three at Nagpur
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of March, Comments
England’s day? Just about, but India will be over the moon at the wonderful hundred partnership between Anil Kumble and Mohammad Kaif. Were it not for that pair, India would have been bowled out for a really paltry total. Indeed, that would have been all the more probable 12-18 months ago, but this Indian side are tougher than they used to be. Tougher they might be, but they remain vulnerable to the swinging delivery and were brilliantly exposed by Matthew Hoggard who, at one stage, had figures of 4 for 6. This Test is alive and kicking and intriguingly poised.
The late strikes by England has put them in charge. The lead of 71 doesn’t sound significant - it’s not a huge lead by any means - but come the fourth innings, it could prove invaluable. India’s number eleven, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, has a batting average of 5.66 and ought not to make more than that. India need every run they can muster.
After the disasterous pre-series preparations afflicting England’s squad, they seem to be gelling as a team - led by Andrew Flintoff. But the big story of the day has been Monty Panesar. I know I effed and blinded about his over-the-wicket nonsense, but it’s a valid point. As soon as he reverted to bowling around the wicket, he grabbed a wicket - and the key one of Kaif who, until then, had batted sensibly if a little too obdurately. And what a pearler of a wicket it was. His first in Test cricket happened earlier in the day - none other than Sachin R Tendulkar! - but this second, late wicket was all the better. My Editor sums it up better than I can:
Perfectly flighted to drag the batsman forward, late dip to leave him stranded, and turn and bounce to detonate the middle and off stumps, the first Turbanation of the series had just been witnessed. Remarkably, however, it was England’s players who were doing the celebrations.
Well bowled, Monty. And well batted Kumbles.
CommentsKumble closing in on Kapil
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of November, Comments
Anil Kumble is just 4 wickets away from breaking Kapil Dev’s record. (incidentally, just noticed at Cricinfo that his full name is Kapildev Ramlal Nikhanj). A marvellous achievment from Kumble, one of my favourite bowlers and who I modelled my action on when I was bowling.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Test is due to start in about 16 hours. As usual India are under pressure(!) to win, especially as they were considered favourites at the start of the series. South Africa’s tactics in the 1st Test were one of defence and obdurity - more interested in saving the Test and not even thinking about winning it. Their lack of confidence with themselves is remarkable - it wasn’t long ago they had Pollock & Donald, an awesome fast-bowling combination, and were the only team who could take Australia to 4/5 days. This new mindset bodes well for England’s trip in a month’s time - how will SA cope with England’s attacking play?
It’ll be interesting to see if India can really attack tomorrow from the outset, and dominate the match from ball one.
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