Australia v India

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by tony p

I doubt whether a touring team has ever had this many changes through injury for the whole tour, plus the captain leaving early as well.
How would Australia do without their entire front line bowling attack and their best batsman.?

I reckon a backup fast bowling unit of Pattinson, Jhye Richardson & Neser would actually be pretty handy, even abroad. Everything else would just be in shambles however.

[Steveh]

This should be an interesting day, despite the early dismissal of Warner by Siraj. I am resisting the temptation of citing "Que sera, sera".

[MRNC4.0]

Nice opening spell from Siraj, Shardul with a decent bit of swing there too, but boy that was rubbish from Harris. He's so loose for an opener that he makes Warner look like Boycott. Doesn't look the part of a test player. I really don't know how some of these batsman are persisted with ahead of Maxwell or Khawaja. Smith and Labuschagne could put on a big stand here.

[Greatbatch]

An even opening session with India getting the openers cheaply and then Smith and Labuschagne recovering with a solid partnership.

India need to break this partnership soon after lunch or they could be in for a long day as the pitch flattens out.

Originally Posted by MRNC4.0

Nice opening spell from Siraj, Shardul with a decent bit of swing there too, but boy that was rubbish from Harris. He's so loose for an opener that he makes Warner look like Boycott. Doesn't look the part of a test player. I really don't know how some of these batsman are persisted with ahead of Maxwell or Khawaja. Smith and Labuschagne could put on a big stand here.

Australia's opening batsmen stocks look worse than NZ's at the moment. Burns, Warner and Harris have all failed in this series, only Pucovski has looked good so far and he may not be a regular starter with his injury/concussion issues.

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by Greatbatch

An even opening session with India getting the openers cheaply and then Smith and Labuschagne recovering with a solid partnership.

India need to break this partnership soon after lunch or they could be in for a long day as the pitch flattens out.



Australia's opening batsmen stocks look worse than NZ's at the moment. Burns, Warner and Harris have all failed in this series, only Pucovski has looked good so far and he may not be a regular starter with his injury/concussion issues.

I don't really blame Warner for his performance this series, moreso the selectors for picking a guy who hadn't touched a bat in 2 months and was clearly still injured, he should not be playing. He probably has a couple more good home summers in him, and we need him to. Because other than him Pucovski is the only other one who looks even remotely like averaging above 40 opening the batting. I think they erred badly in ditching Renshaw when they did. At least he had a defense.

[Greatbatch]

Washington getting the big wicket of Smith, a great first test wicket to get on debut.

It would have been even better for India if Rahane didn't drop Labuschagne off Saini shortly after, to make it worse Saini went off injured after that delivery.

Originally Posted by MRNC4.0

I don't really blame Warner for his performance this series, moreso the selectors for picking a guy who hadn't touched a bat in 2 months and was clearly still injured, he should not be playing. He probably has a couple more good home summers in him, and we need him to. Because other than him Pucovski is the only other one who looks even remotely like averaging above 40 opening the batting. I think they erred badly in ditching Renshaw when they did. At least he had a defense.

Renshaw's form has dropped off in the Sheffield Shield and he is even struggling to score runs in the BBL.

He has the potential to be a decent test opening batsman though if he can find some form again.

[tony p]

I think it's fair to say, Marnus has had plenty of luck in this series.

[Greatbatch]

That dropped catch from Rahane looking more costly by the minute, if India had got Green and the lower order in they could have rolled them.

Now Labuschagne is looking like Smith and Wade is looking like Allan Border.

[MRNC4.0]

Geez this is some sloppy stuff by Australia. Only Warner can say he got a decent one. Another lazy slog from Wade to get out should be the end of him. I don't know what's 'tough' and 'gritty' about that. Now it's down to Paine & the Kid to drag Australia to a competitive total again, let alone a dominate one. India have bowled well however on an excellent batting wicket.

[Greatbatch]

Wade and Labuschagne throwing their wickets away has got India back in the game.

If India can get a wicket or two late in the day with the new ball it will be their day.

[ConfusedMale]

Originally Posted by MRNC4.0

Indias bench depth is certainly the best in the world. Australia can probably match them for fast bowling stocks, but for bats and spinners, forget about it. Look at how limply New Zealand folded here last summer after a couple of injures, and they still had their best batsman. I think Rahane deserves a lot of credit with how he's captained and carried the team as leader under trying circumstances and pressure. Paine would do well to catch up with him for coffee and take notes.

Very true. The way Rahane has steered clear of most controversies while shepherding the youngsters and not offering any excuses makes him an ideal captain material. As Sir C pointed out, Kohli definitely can take notes from him. The issue with Rahane would be that he would need to back it up with good batting as well. He is just not consistent enough to be a top bat, though he's got the skills.

With regards to our bowlers, I really wonder what's wrong with them. Today, Saini too has limped away. Are they so fragile that they can't last a 2-3 month long tour? Is it because they don't bowl enough long spells? Despite that, I think we have done decently and not let Australia get too far ahead. We could have done without those drops, though.

[Greatbatch]

Even first day with the Aussies finishing at 274/5.

The Indian bowlers didn't take advantage of the new ball but they are running on empty with Saini and Thakur off injured, Natarajan looked spent and only Siraj left to fly the flag.

India will have to try to bat out a draw here as they have very few bowlers left to win the game.

[Sir Coolerking]

Originally Posted by Greatbatch

Even first day with the Aussies finishing at 274/5.

The Indian bowlers didn't take advantage of the new ball but they are running on empty with Saini and Thakur off injured, Natarajan looked spent and only Siraj left to fly the flag.

India will have to try to bat out a draw here as they have very few bowlers left to win the game.

They've got more injuries?

Only Pujara and Rahane will play in all 4 Tests, that's worse than an average Ashes Tour.

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

They've got more injuries?

Only Pujara and Rahane will play in all 4 Tests, that's worse than an average Ashes Tour.

Rohit was sending down 105kmph bullets at one point.

[ConfusedMale]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

They've got more injuries?

Only Pujara and Rahane will play in all 4 Tests, that's worse than an average Ashes Tour.

Right now, we are going on through will power, some luck and probably some helpful Aussie cricketers like Warner, Harris, Wade, etc.

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by ConfusedMale

Right now, we are going on through will power, some luck and probably some helpful Aussie cricketers like Warner, Harris, Wade, etc.

And Brisbane weather. Scattered storms forecast over 3 of the next 4 days, so India may only need to bat long once to retain the Trophy.

[Sir Coolerking]

Originally Posted by ConfusedMale

Right now, we are going on through will power, some luck and probably some helpful Aussie cricketers like Warner, Harris, Wade, etc.

20 players in 4 Tests is a record for an away series. Apparently the most England have used in Oz is 18, it just seemed like more.

Also, the only time India have fielded a bowling attack with less wickets were their first 2 Tests and the first one after the war.

[MRNC4.0]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

20 players in 4 Tests is a record for an away series. Apparently the most England have used in Oz is 18, it just seemed like more.

Also, the only time India have fielded a bowling attack with less wickets were their first 2 Tests and the first one after the war.

I reckon England ploughed through 30 players in a couple of Ashes series in the late 80s/early 90s, but they were at home I think. How would you even take that many players on tour unless you had a corresponding A-team touring anyway.

[ConfusedMale]

Originally Posted by MRNC4.0

And Brisbane weather. Scattered storms forecast over 3 of the next 4 days, so India may only need to bat long once to retain the Trophy.

The eternal hope of Indian supporters while India is touring outside the subcontinent - the rain. I'll happily take a day or two getting washed out, but I don't see that happening at the Gabba. We might lose a few overs here and there, but that just might be enough for the Aussie attack to take our 20 wickets.

[ConfusedMale]

Originally Posted by Sir Coolerking

20 players in 4 Tests is a record for an away series. Apparently the most England have used in Oz is 18, it just seemed like more.

Also, the only time India have fielded a bowling attack with less wickets were their first 2 Tests and the first one after the war.

What's sad is that Kuldeep Yadav still couldn't get a place in the side, even after he was picked ahead of Washington Sundar. I'd have probably given it to Yadav than Sundar, despite the latter picking up Smith's wicket, though I doubt it has more to do with Sundar's batting than his bowling that he got preferred.