Australia v India

[DivyenduShekhar]

I agree that Shaw won't be able to compete. At no point do I believe that Shaw will score a big hundred right now, and that is why I say that he should not have been picked in the first place. But my point is more moral - continuity in selection. We have criticized the team management enough for not giving players enough games to prove themselves. Are one game and pre-defined notions enough to let Shaw go? Sure, the coach may see technical faults and decide that he should not be playing right now. That's a different matter, but why should that come up after one match? What changed in three days? If you're going based on performance, just out of a very ethical basis, he deserves another game. There needs to be some conviction behind the selection. You cannot panic. In any case, if he does get dropped, no one will question it. There's probably no right and wrong, but this is my opinion on the matter. Why pick someone if you're just going to replace him after one game? That's muddled thinking, and confusion within the team management. That's a lot more worrying sign than actually persisting with him. Also, all said and done, Rohit Sharma walks into the opening slot in the third match and opens with Mayank.

I believe Jadeja is set to replace Vihari, which I think will be backed by Pant replacing Saha purely on the basis that they now need a batsman-wicketkeeper, not wicketkeeper-batsman. It'll be interesting to see who comes into the middle order - Rahul or Gill. The only way to get them both is to also replace Shaw.

Also, I think Saini will replace Shami, just because of his pace and X factor.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

To be fair, the Aussies kept doing it with Warner for 5 Tests in the last Ashes.

[ConfusedMale]

As I will be away from the forum for the next 3 days, I thought I will get in my pessimistic realistic prediction of how the Melbourne test is going to pan out.

The most possible scenario is Australia winning the toss and then probably losing 1 or maximum 2 wickets early before Labuschagne and Smith plunder the Indian bowling. Australia would finish at around 550 or so and then send India to bat on Sunday, to face the last hour or so of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood where we would lose 1 or both our openers.

If India does win the toss, we too would choose to bat but would promptly lose 1 or both openers and then have our best batsmen - Pujara and Rahane - come in too early. They would look at consolidating but would crumble against the relentless Aussie onslaught. We will finally fold up somewhere close to 300. Australia would then come and make our batting (and bowling) look silly by scoring quickly and without losing any wickets.

In other words, we are doomed!

[MRNC4.0]

I'm not so pessimistic about India being out of this series yet, they will have fond memories of Melbourne when they walloped the same bowling last time, and they should be good enough to draw here if their bats apply themselves. Their bowling depth that would be concerning for them rather than their batting. But they have to start strongly, otherwise the walls will start coming in around them very quickly on this tour. Looking forward to watching Gill, Siraj & Jadeja bat if he plays, and a bit more of Cam Green. Reckon Burns, Wade & Head are in a 3 way bat off to retain their spot for Sydney.

[Greatbatch]

Good to see Pant and Jadeja in for India, it should help the Indian batting being left handers, in Adelaide they had all right handers which just allowed the Aussie bowlers to lock into the same line the whole time.

Gill replacing Shaw as an opener should be an improvement for them too, Kohli is obviously a big loss but I think that's the best batting line up India could pick under the circumstances.

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by Greatbatch

Good to see Pant and Jadeja in for India, it should help the Indian batting being left handers, in Adelaide they had all right handers which just allowed the Aussie bowlers to lock into the same line the whole time.

Gill replacing Shaw as an opener should be an improvement for them too, Kohli is obviously a big loss but I think that's the best batting line up India could pick under the circumstances.

Think Rahane has moved himself up to open, with Gill at 3. But agree, probably the best XI Indian could have selected. Wicket looking decent so far. Green with seam movement.

[Greatbatch]

Normal service resumes for Burns, gone for a duck against Bumrah.

[MRNC4.0]

Don't think we'll be seeing much more of Joe at national level. Think I went a bit early on the pitch, or Bumrah made it look more lively than it was, but it is going to be a road. Miss your lines and it's runs.

[Greatbatch]

Turning into a great first session for India with Ashwin getting the wickets of Wade and now Smith for a duck.

[MRNC4.0]

Not sure what was more moronic, Wade's shot, or Shubman Gill trying to sabotage Jadeja. Well played Rahane in bowling Ashwin so early.

[MRNC4.0]

Did not expect to be watching India's spinners bowling in tandem running circles around Australia's bats in the first session of a boxing day test. Fascinating Cricket. Weird pitch, but certainly the best the curator has produced in a loooong time.

[ConfusedMale]

After the interesting first session, regular business resumes. Ashwin has bowled well, and Smith having a rare ordinary series thus far.

[MRNC4.0]

Reckon India missed a trick there not resuming with Bumrah & Ashwin after lunch. Siraj bowled okay, but Lasbuschagne and especially Head look far more comfortable against him and Umesh than the other two.

[MRNC4.0]

Textbook Head innings, do all the hard work and then get out to a loose shot. Better off with Shaun Marsh. Time to move on from him. I would happily take 250 from here. I can't quite work out how this pitch is playing and if it will flatten out much but good bowling of all varieties will trouble two scratchy batting lineups all test.

[Greatbatch]

Head caught slashing to gully was as predictable as Burns getting out in the first few overs.

Siraj bowling well on debut picking up the key wicket of Labuschagne.

You would say India are on top but with the way they batted in their last innings you can't say that, they could get rolled for under 100 again.

[ConfusedMale]

Good day of test cricket. Some good bowling by India, Aussies did fight well, they got the early wicket and Gill starting well. I'd have been happy if we ended with no wickets down.

[Jock McTuffnel v3]

This is the worst Ozzie batting line up for 50 years

Truly dire - Wade opening and Head at 5 ?

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by Jock McTuffnel v3

This is the worst Ozzie batting line up for 50 years

Truly dire - Wade opening and Head at 5 ?

I was thinking about the worst opening duo we've produced in test cricket.. Dyson/Wood.. Harris/Finch... but nope, Burns/Wade is easily the worst. The hardest position to bat and that's who you send out? Hubris.

[MRNC4.0]

India take honors, other than Umesh who bowled some wide junk, they were all on. Impressive debut by Siraj, and Ashwin & Bumrah in particular were impeccable. However I still have no idea how competitive 196 will be given the quality of bowling and sketchiness of both batting line ups. Unless the pitch flattens out into a more typical MCG wicket, then there'll be plenty in it for the Aussie bowling unit tomorrow. It's imperative that one of Gill (who looked the most fluid of anyone other than maybe Wade, lol) or Purjara bat though the first session. If they can, they'll secure a decent lead. Hopefully they don't throw it down the toilet.

[Ali TT]

Originally Posted by MRNC4.0

I was thinking about the worst opening duo we've produced in test cricket.. Dyson/Wood.. Harris/Finch... but nope, Burns/Wade is easily the worst. The hardest position to bat and that's who you send out? Hubris.

Taylor - Slater
Hayden - Langer
Hell, even Rogers - Watson

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