Natarajan or Saini for 3rd test

[coffee_rules]

Can't be convinced of Natarajan in Test cricket with that pace. Saini it has to be. But in all probability with Kohli's insistence, Rahane will choose a recovering Yadav. 

[express bowling]

3 hours ago, ShoonyaSifar said:

Natarajan getting into the mix is an interesting one. We have not played a left arm seamer in a test match since Zaheer retired in 2014.

 

Natarajan will add more variety to the attack on the slowish SCG surface and will be an unknown commodity with the red ball to the Aussies. He's had a decentish FC career for TN. Perhaps worth a punt in a 5-man attack.

 

However, if the 3rd Test is played at MCG and not SCG, Saini may be a better choice for his ability to seam the ball and known ability to bowl longer spells at good pace in FC cricket.

 

 

Play Kuldeep Yadav as the 3rd spinner if they cannot trust Saini on a slow surface.

 

Choosing a T20 specialist medium pacer would be too risky in such a critical test series.  Nothing is known about his 5 day cricket form and ability at the top level.

Edited December 29, 2020 by express bowling

[putrevus]

Saini should play, this same left armer nonsensical thinking was the reason why  Sir Jaidev played his only test. If Yadav is injured, Saini should play , Natarajan might be okay for T20s and odis but he will get exposed in test cricket. 

[ShoonyaSifar]

15 minutes ago, express bowling said:

 

 

Play Kuldeep Yadav as the 3rd spinner if they cannot trust Saini on a slow surface.

 

Choosing a T20 specialist medium pacer would be too risky in such a critical test series.  Nothing is known about his 5 day cricket form and ability at the top level.

Not saying Natarajan has to be played. Saini has earned that spot and ideally should be the 3rd seamer. Not playing him in Tests, his strongest suit, will be injustice. Was trying to look at the positives of the options of considering Natarajan for Tests.

 

 

A bit unfair to call him a T20 specialist. Bowled so well in a televised Ranji match at Indore last season. 20 FC matches, 64 wickets@27 , not great numbers but decent performances given he plays most of his FC cricket at slow and sluggish Chepauk pitch. He is a regular for TN Ranji team since 2016-17. See some of his numbers

2016-17: 8 matches, 245 overs, 24 wickets@33

2017-18: Out injured

2018-19: 6 matches, 187 overs, 19 wickets@27

2019-20: 5 matches, 113 overs, 18 wickets@19

Yet to have a standout FC season 

 

Given how his career has shaped up, I wouldn't be surprised if he jumps ahead of Saini to make his Test debut at SCG

[Real McCoy]

I'm gonna go against the grain here and pick Kuldeep if I was Rahane since its SCG. Kully can get some turn as seen on the last trip and was looking dangerous. Aussies won't know what hit them if we pick him. Our quicks are good but I have more confidence in Kullly over Saini who has the habit of leaking runs when the ball is soft. SCG after the new ball will be a road. A good legggie is always useful in these conditions.

[express bowling]

4 minutes ago, ShoonyaSifar said:

Not saying Natarajan has to be played. Saini has earned that spot and ideally should be the 3rd seamer. Not playing him in Tests, his strongest suit, will be injustice. Was trying to look at the positives of the options of considering Natarajan for Tests.

 

 

A bit unfair to call him a T20 specialist. Bowled so well in a televised Ranji match at Indore last season. 20 FC matches, 64 wickets@27 , not great numbers but decent performances given he plays most of his FC cricket at slow and sluggish Chepauk pitch. He is a regular for TN Ranji team since 2016-17. See some of his numbers

2016-17: 8 matches, 245 overs, 24 wickets@33

2017-18: Out injured

2018-19: 6 matches, 187 overs, 19 wickets@27

2019-20: 5 matches, 113 overs, 18 wickets@19

Yet to have a standout FC season 

 

Given how his career has shaped up, I wouldn't be surprised if he jumps ahead of Saini to make his Test debut at SCG

 

I am calling him a T20 specialist, not because I thought that he has not played sufficient FC matches  ( I have seen him bowl in a few FC matches )

 

I said it because his potent deliveries are the yorker and the slower ball ... I don't like his channel ball, his stump directed ball or his bouncer ( the 3 main wicket taking weapons in tests.

 

Because of the same reason, I am not convinced he would do that well in ODIs either ( barring the last 10 overs ) ... once his super LOI form subsides to a normal level, as batters and analysts study his bowling more. 

 

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

21 minutes ago, express bowling said:

 

I am calling him a T20 specialist, not because I thought that he has not played sufficient FC matches  ( I have seen him bowl in a few FC matches )

 

I said it because his potent deliveries are the yorker and the slower ball ... I don't like his channel ball, his stump directed ball or his bouncer ( the 3 main wicket taking weapons in tests.

 

Because of the same reason, I am not convinced he would do that well in ODIs either ( barring the last 10 overs ) ... once his super LOI form subsides to a normal level, as batters and analysts study his bowling more. 

 

 

Do not judge his bowling style for longer formats by what he bowls in T20s. He swung the red SG ball both ways, even bowlsled the in-dipper bringing the ball in and got movement off the pitch. At least that's what he did at Indore.

[vishalvirsingh]

for me Saini is the second pacer ahead of Siraj.

 

is Umesh out for the third test ??