Preview of the Adelaide test

[bunny]

Ishant will be the one to miss out, me thinks. We will definitely play the 6 batsman + keeper + 2 pacers + 2 spinners combo. 3 Pacers on a flat Adelaide wicket that will turn will be a monumental waste, IMO. Jaffer is likely to miss out in all probability and he will be replaced by Karthik.

Ishant is really inconsistent against LHB. So in all probability he is going to be effective only against Ponting, Symonds and Clarke. From what I have seen he bowls a lot of short of good length deliveries which cut back. These look good on TV but are not effective to get him wickets. Most of the times when he tries to pitch up they turn out to be too full. If he can bowl on good length then he is a must (especially since he can bowl the leg cutter once in a while). So his form in the nets should be the criterion I think. Pathan is a must as he and RP are the only guys who can get Hayden out and give us a rollicking start.

[coffee_rules]

If Harbhajan gets in, Ishant has to go. No point in playing 5 bowlers. It never works for India, that too against Australia. Since Pathan adds to the batting as well, we can't rely on Pathan to fill up the 6th batting slot.

[bunny]

If the pitch has grass on it' date=' WWJD (what would jaffer do?)[/quote'] Although Jaffer has looked pathetic in this tour most of the times he has got out trying to drive/force his way. He has a reasonable defensive technique and can negotiate the early swing which will be critical to the success of VVS and SRT (and even RD to an extent).

[bunny]

There is no way we should play 5 bowlers on a flat track. This match will be decided on which team out-scores the other in the first innings' date=' and not whose' bowlers take more wickets. Aus is almost certain to make a huge first innings score, irrespective of how many bowlers we play. Our focus should be on matching them in the batting department. Jaffer looks totally deflated and out of form, so playing Karthik in his place wouldnt be a bad thing to do. Or the other option would be to ask Dravid to open, replace Jaffer with Yuvraj and Ishant with Bhajji. I am still hoping for a miracle in the form of one good innings from Yuvraj.[/quote'] Maris, Ishant can prove to be a difference between Ponting's 200 and Ponting's 50. See our bowlers are really unique in the sense that some are only good against LHB, others are only good against RHB. Some only come into the party in the 2nd innings others can only work with the new ball. And most leak runs when a little bit out of form. So 5 bowlers might be needed. I would not play KKD. He is too loose a player to score big. We can count on him to give us a maximum of 50 runs which really won't be the difference. Either play Jaffer or go with 5 bowlers.

[Ram]

Maris' date=' Ishant can prove to be a difference between Ponting's 200 and Ponting's 50. See our bowlers are really unique in the sense that some are only good against LHB, others are only good against RHB. Some only come into the party in the 2nd innings others can only work with the new ball. And most leak runs when a little bit out of form. So 5 bowlers might be needed. [/quote'] Bunny, Adelaide pitch will resemble an inter-state I am sure. I am sure both teams will score big in it. 5 bowlers is a bit of a waste on flat tracks, IMO. We cant hope to out-bowl Aus, we need to out-bat them. Just 5 specialist batsman will be suicidal.

I would not play KKD. He is too loose a player to score big. We can count on him to give us a maximum of 50 runs which really won't be the difference. Either play Jaffer or go with 5 bowlers.

He is a positive player, he couldnt do worse than Jaffer.

[guju24]

either draw or indian winning this too...no chance for AUS if there is turn in the pitch...

[bunny]

Bunny, Adelaide pitch will resemble an inter-state I am sure. I am sure both teams will score big in it. 5 bowlers is a bit of a waste on flat tracks, IMO. We cant hope to out-bowl Aus, we need to out-bat them. Just 5 specialist batsman will be suicidal. He is a positive player, he couldnt do worse than Jaffer.

The South Australia Pura Cup scorecards don't suggest that. There is a forecast that it will cloudy and little bit rainy on the first 3 days. So I don't see Aus scoring big if we bowl well. And as I said we can't count on KKD to score big even if it's a flat track. (As badly as WJ has played he has survived almost as many balls as Ponting on this tour. If he can cut out the drive shot I think we can count on him to give us a decent start. With KKD there will be a big possibility that we will lose the 1st wicket within the first 5 overs). Anyway that's my personal opinion and that's what I'd have done. I won't blame AK if he drops IS, WJ or none.

[BERGKAMP]

does anyone know for definate?

[Ram]

The South Australia Pura Cup scorecards don't suggest that. There is a forecast that it will cloudy and little bit rainy on the first 3 days. So I don't see Aus scoring big if we bowl well. And as I said we can't count on KKD to score big even if it's a flat track. (As badly as WJ has played he has survived almost as many balls as Ponting on this tour. If he can cut out the drive shot I think we can count on him to give us a decent start. With KKD there will be a big possibility that we will lose the 1st wicket within the first 5 overs).

I back Karthik a bit more than you do, I think he is a fine player. Of course, each of us are entitled to have our own opinions.

Anyway that's my personal opinion and that's what I'd have done. I won't blame AK if he drops IS' date=' WJ or none.[/quote'] I think there will be changes, esp in the bowling department.

[Dravid]

same ones from last test..

[Dravid]

kkd ahead of jafffe.. kkd deserves his chance now

[satishg]

i think anil wud go with bhajji in place of ishanth..it will be harsh on the youngster but i dont think our team management is confident with the 6 batsmen 5 bowlers theory and pathan is not in the class of kallis or flintoff as an all rounder..he is more like bret lee so if v go with 6 batsmen i think there will be enormous pressure on the middle order and i think v have not done well wen v have gone with 5 bowlers..i remember india getting bundled out for 100 against Eng in Mumbai in 2005 wen v played 5 bowlers..RD made that mistake and im sure Anil wont repeat it..So v can see KKD in place of Jaffer and Bhajji in place of Ishanth..KKD deserves a chance and he ll be better than Jaffer for sure..

[satishg]

Billy and Rauf for sure..Billy was gud in the match for us..he din give ponting but gave symmonds wud be very happy if he does that again..coz bhajji is there to take care of punter:D

[prince40]

i know for sure rauf is in it, but i believe for the 4th test its going to be rudi koertzen along with rauf

[fineleg]

is rudi better than bowdy? :D

[Chandan]

Adding a spin to the tale Atreyo Mukhopadhyay, Hindustan Times Email Author Adelaide, January 23, 2008 If victory solves problems and answers questions, it's not necessarily the case with India. Apart from handing the visitors a chance to square the series, the demolition of Australia in Perth has left them confronting a tricky situation — whether to retain the winning combination or bring in Harbhajan Singh by either dropping a medium-pacer or a batsman. Of all the possibilities, asking one of Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma and RP Singh to sit out after their impressive showing in the third Test looks unlikely, as of now, although none from the team are saying much on this. If all three stay and India still bring in the off-spinner, Wasim Jaffer is most likely to get the axe and that leads to another question —who opens then? Facing the media at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, MS Dhoni didn't disclose anything substantial, saying that the decision would be taken after an inspection of the pitch. But he did say that using five bowlers was a possibility. "It's a thought yes, but just a thought at the moment, nothing more than that." The vice-captain, however, added that personally, he wasn't averse to the idea of strengthening the bowling department. "You can take such a decision only after assessing the situation. You have to consider who your batsmen are, how they are performing and what other batting resources you have. After that, if you see that things are okay, I think it helps to use five bowlers in a Test match." But it would still be quite premature to say that India are going to field five bowlers because the problem that props up in that eventuality is pretty severe. Although Jaffer hasn't practically scored anything on this tour so far, dropping him wouldn't be easy, for it would mean bringing Rahul Dravid up again after he scored 93 in Perth batting at his favourite No. 3 slot. There are whispers that Pathan may be asked to open, but nothing has crystallised on this front either. Dhoni was also asked to comment on the composition of the ODI team, but he refused to speak on that. "Let's get over with the Test series first. We will talk about the one-day series and the team we have picked only after that. There is some serious Test cricket still left in this series." On that, India's ODI captain said: "Winning in Perth was big, but we have left it behind because it's important to get back to normal and concentrate on what lies ahead. It will sure do a lot of good to our confidence but we know that to win here, we have to start from scratch and play well in most of the sessions. Whether we can level the series will depend on how we play here. It's not the time to look back." But Dhoni did speak on the positives to have emerged from the victory. "We have identified the areas where we must bowl. The Australians know these conditions inside out and it was important from that point of view for us to figure out where to bowl in order to trouble them. We have seen that our best chance lies in swinging the ball and we have also worked out the areas where to swing it from." Asked whether he had intentionally changed his style of batting and was concentrating on long hours at the wicket, Dhoni answered in the affirmative. "When I come in to bat, the ball usually loses shine and the bowlers try to keep it outside off as far as possible. So, I have to check my strokeplay. It also depends on situations when the team needs me to stay at the wicket which means I have to curb my instinct."

[IndianRenegade]

Ponting refuses to rule out Tait

Ponting refuses to rule out Tait Jenny Thompson in Adelaide January 23, 2008 Ricky Ponting will keep India guessing about Australia's bowling attack until the last minute, refusing to say that Shaun Tait will be replaced by Brad Hogg in the fourth Test which starts on Thursday. He also said he had been thinking about how to face his nemesis Harbhajan Singh as he is expecting the spinner to be recalled. "Historically, spin is the preferred option," Ponting said in Adelaide, "but when you have someone like Taity who is a wicket-taker in the wings, it gives you a lot of options. He has taken wickets for South Australia for a long time both early with the new ball and late in the game, when there has been variable bounce. His style is suited to these conditions. "The wicket here is usually good for batting, and it looks headed that way. It's actually quite dry. You have to weigh up whether the spin option is the way to go or to use four fast bowlers to make use of the variable bounce. If we do play four quicks, we will have to mix and match, using part-timers earlier in the day so as to not get caught out like in the last game." In the lead-up to the Melbourne Test, Ponting hinted strongly that Tait would be preferred as a pace option on the MCG surface, but Hogg got the nod. Tait himself does not believe he will be picked. Should Hogg play here, Ponting hopes he does not feel under too much pressure coming back in as Australia strive for a 3-1 series win. "He's done a good job for us, and I'm sure he will again." As for India's line-up, he thinks that a batsman will give way so India can retain their three seamers as well as have two spinners in Harbhajan and Anil Kumble. It would weaken their batting but give them better balance, he thinks. On Harbhajan, who has got him out with his first ball five times, he said: "I've analysed a little bit, but I am not a huge analyst. I sat down and a think about how to play him. I have not had a chance to impose myself. Hopefully, I can get on top of him and stay on top throughout the game." Ponting wasn't particularly nervous about this Test, where another loss would mean a drawn series. "We have nothing to lose, really. We are looking to improve on last week. We were disappointed with the way we played and India played well and we are hopeful of turning things around." He echoed the messages of Michael Hussey and Phil Jaques earlier this week, who have said that Australia will come out aggressively as usual and that losing a Test was bound to happen at some stage. But he did agree that it would test everyone's mettle, the top-order in particular. "Individuals rebounding from personal failures is a test of their character, same can be said of a team. What is important is how you bounce back, how you back your skills and talents after a loss." He said they would look to how they played in the first two games and that it wasn't attitude that failed them - he's happy with their aggression - more their skills. "I told the boys before the Perth Test that I didn't want our style and brand of cricket to change. If the skills are up to standard, the result will be different this time." He pointed out too that one defeat does not signal a decline. "We had the same before the World Cup and ended up without losing a game there. We have just had 16 undefeated Tests, I don't think there is too much to worry just yet." As for worrying about over-rates, he says they will be faster this time, following fines for everyone in Perth: "Lessons have been learnt." And now he is looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead. "The rivalry is very strong, India are a great and enjoyable opponent. You always want to be pushed, and they have pushed us. Everything is lining up for this game to be a beauty." Jenny Thompson is an assistant editor at Cricinfo © Cricinfo

[King Tendulkar]

thank god, we want tait to play

[varun]

I wouldn't play Bhajji. Sehwag's been bowling rather well. Use him. I don't expect the squad to change from the Perth squad

[Chandan]

Kumble urges axed seniors to focus on deciding Test Adelaide (PTI): Indian skipper Anil Kumble on Wednesday admitted that the timing of announcing the one-day side was far from "ideal" but hoped his axed senior players would shrug off the disappointment to stay focussed for the crucial fourth Test against Australia, starting here on Thursday. "(The selection) is not in their hands. I have gone through it, it's not ideal (the announcement of the team before the Test) but that's the way. It's a bit disappointing. "It's not easy on senior players, having said that we would keep our focus on this Test," the ace leg spinner said. Kumble said the senior players were mature enough to take the exclusion in their stride. "It's a challenge (to get them around). People (not selected) would be disappointed but they have played enough cricket to understand, why this (Test) is important for Indian cricket and to stay in the series," he said. Shockingly Sourav Ganguly, and to a lesser extent Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have been left out of the one-day squad for the tri-series, by the selectors. Kumble was statesman-like while speaking on the importance of the final and deciding Test. "It all started here (in 2003-04), it's a special venue for me for India as the last four years have gone well for Indian cricket. Now the opportunity is there for us to level the series." Kumble also looked at his own revival, starting from the Adelaide game in 2003-04, and conceded this time around it's definitely going to be his final match. "They said the same (about my last visit to Australia) in 2003. But this time I am sure it's the last time. It's been great so far, we came with a purpose of winning the series in Australia. "We have held our head high and hopefully we would perform which would (inspire) the Indian teams in future to do what we couldn't achieve here," he said. Kumble, unsurprisingly, stood up for his tribe --the bowlers-- and spoke glowingly about their contribution. "Before we came here, we were asked if we could pick 20 Australian wickets in the series. As a senior most experienced bowler, I am delighted that our young bowling attack has stepped up the plate." The Indian pace trinity-- R P Singh, Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma -- outshone their counterparts at Perth and Kumble admitted they were undecided on including Harbhajan Singh on a pitch, which is tipped to help spinners too. "There are a few possibilities but we would like to take another look at the pitch. It (five bowlers) is an option and that is something we will definitely assess," Kumble said. _______________________________________________ So Kumble is seeking inspiration from the Adeleide victory in 03. I'm hugely confused about the team composition here. I am aware of the times when this 5 bowler strategy has backfired. At the same time I don't want India to play Jaffer who is a walking wicket to Australia.