Australia vs. India (in Australia)

Payback for Sydney 2008??? 

Indians in command at stumps on day 2. The big guns have come good - and more to come from Laxman, Kohli and the not out Wall. They could have played an all pace attack with Clarke doing the spin duty. Playing Lyon is not going to do any good to his future prospects - the Indians will absolutely maul him.

India in control but I won't count out an Australian fightback at the moment, esp with sachin gone, a couple of wickets tomorrow morning first hour and AUS could be right back in it. This should be an absorbing test match I reckon.

Ponting goes for another 60 in the match. It should feel like a hundred to him. It is going to be a cracker this one Aussies 200 in lead with 5 wickets down. Really anyone's game. India's batting is pretty good to chase anything within 300

Interesting Test match doing on.  Can't really say who is going to win. 200 odd runs to win in the last innings always mean the bowling team has a chance.  India is good at chasing.

If the surface is up and down, Pattinson will be extremely hard to negotiate.  In theory, the pitch now should favour India's batting more than the first innings as with wear, it starts to be a bit more sub continent like.

And, Zaheer Khan doing as I expected.  Still not fully fit but still causing problems to everyone.

Also, i'm very impressed by Pattinson.  Looks an old fashion fast bowler, tall, wrist behind ball, sending it down on the seam, good areas, movement off the seam.  So far, the signs are ominous for opposing team, but, as I always say, its never good to judge after a few test match.


Edited by spin wizard - 28 December 2011 at 1:00pm

Australia's bowling bar Lyon hasn't been a problem this game.  Dismissing India for 280 odd is a good effort.  The batting has been the major let down.  Still no one outside of Hussey and Watson scoring runs consistently.  That's where Watson is badly missed.

Harris seems to be like Jerome Taylor, they can't complete one full series.  I think Australia should look pass him until he can demonstrate the ability to stay fit, because with him in and out, it will keep on upsetting a stable line up.  Stable teams perform better.

Dravid has shelled a lot of catches in the slips in recent times. A sign that the reflexes are not as good as they once were? Slip catches are absolutely vital, it may be time to start getting new faces in the slip cordon.

Really disappointing by AUS. As sam said, some really unnecessary and poor dismissals. I rate Marsh very highly but his wicket at a crucial time got India right back in the game. It would be nice to see him tighten up a bit outside off stump. Zaheer has looked extremely impressive tbh, still bowling within himself in terms of pace but accuracy, swing, nous - all of the highest quality. Easily 3rd best bowler in world cricket, behind Anderson and Steyn at no.1.

some problem with my laptop meant that I was awake almost entire night :( finally able to resolve it though, all by myself :) and was able to watch some cricket!

And he is goneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

What an impressive win for the Aussies. They fought back well after India had posted 214/3 on day 2. If their batsmen show more muscle, it could well be a repeat of England tour for the mighty Indians. And I will take that.

How can guys like Philander and Pattinson be top 3 bowlers in the world? They've both played 3 Test matches and while they have enjoyed much success (deserved success I might add), you can't say a bloke is 3rd Test bowler in the world after 3 matches. That's just ludicrous for you to even suggest it. If some guy comes along and gets a couple of centuries in his first couple of Tests, it would be insane to run around saying he is a top 3 Test match batsmen. To be at or near the top of the list, you have to maintain consistency and success over some period of time. Philander and Pattinson both look very promising but give them at least 10 Test matches including matches in different conditions, on different surfaces, in different countries before you start judging their relative skill against other more experienced bowlers. Same applies to Harris, he has played less than 10 Test matches.

Also, just because I have reached different conclusions to you, that doesn't mean I haven't watched the game. Firstly, he didn't look as chubby as he did in England. He appears to have slimmed down and even if he isn't the fittest around, that isn't a reflection on his skill level. Again, same applies to his pace. He was certainly down on his pace but that again isn't a reflection on his skill level. One of your suggested alternatives in Philander also bowls at a similar pace. Zaheer looked threatening for spells in the game, bowled troubling lines, swung the ball, offered control and accuracy. I questioned whether he would be match fit but he performed well. The wicket did aid him but you still have to bowl well to get wickets and he certainly bowled well.

I don't think Zaheer is as good as Steyn and Anderson zuhair, Steyn and Anderson are superior and by a considerable distance in my opinion. Having said that, Zaheer is still third best. If someone is contesting that then I suggest some other names be presented (and not bowlers who have played 3 games).

Here are the names mate - Bresnan, Finn, Morkel, Siddle - they are all ahead of Zaheer in my view. Zaheer for me is a good handy bowler who can be best grouped with the likes of Gul, Broad, Martin etc. Good on him - the two match fixers have rightly been jailed - or else he would not have found himself featuring anywhere in the top 6-7.

I'm looking at ability. What Zaheer is doing is not unique. Left arm over the wicket, at 130kph with a bit of movement. He ain't producing any magic anymore mate. I'm with Zuhair, other guys have taken over Zaheer and I think the 3 guys I have mentioned will also rise to the top, particularly Pattinson.

Edited by Mikey - 29 December 2011 at 10:54am

Superb win for the Aussies, a strong performance that will make India wonder if they can really win a game this series. The old Indian middle order showed up, Dravid is out clean bowled 3 times in 2 innings (once off a No Ball), now that is not the wall we know, these are old players who won't be winning any games for India abroad at this age.