Australia in India 2010 : two tests and three ODIS

[saneindian]

I've not heard anything about RP Singh lately either. With a tour of England next year' date=' he would have been so useful but unfortunately he is another one who has fallen away after a promising start.[/quote'] Has been a regular at the NCA. Has also played a few matches for Air India in club competitions and will again turn out for them in the corporate cup from Sept 1-8. Had lost all his pace, will be interesting to see how fit he is and at what speed he goes at.

[Karan114]

^ Oh I see, thanks for the info

[Roshanrocks]

they obviously donot believe T20 games are stress ful

[zen]

Tour itinerary for India v Australia October 2-6 First Test - Mohali October 10-14 Second Test - Bangalore October 19 First ODI - Kochi October 22 Second ODI - Goa October 24 Third ODI - Vishakapatnam

A couple of bummers for me as far as the test series is concerned: - Just 2 tests - A test at B'lore Traditionally Ind has been a poor starter so the first test could be a mixed bag. And then we move on to B'lore, where I don't recall India doing too well of late. So in a way, this test series will pose a challenge to us. We not only will have to start well (which is something that is not our strong point) at Mohali (hopefully beat the Aus) but also go on to do well at B'lore, which hasn't been a good ground for India of late, if I am not wrong Once again a lot rests on Sehwag's shoulders. Hopefully, he can get a double at Mohali. Below would be my XI for the two tests: - Sehwag - Gambhir - Dravid - Tendulkar - Laxman - Dhoni - Irfan (let's give him a shot as the bowling all-rounder. A good spell of bowling where he is trying to swing the ball and pick up wkts and some time spent at the crease against a highly competitive team like Aus might just help him get his confidence back) - Bhajji - Mishra - Zak - Sree PS that's assuming everyone is fit :P

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India-Australia series is important for cricket: Lawson Former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson considers the forthcoming short visit by his country's cricket team to India as a very important tour in the background of the 'spot-fixing' scandal that has engulfed the game. More... India-Australia series is important for cricket: Lawson Mumbai, September 07, 2010 Former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson considers the forthcoming short visit by his country's cricket team to India as a very important tour in the background of the 'spot-fixing' scandal that has engulfed the game. "This Australia-India series is very important. People in Australia are looking forward to the Ashes. A good, tough and hard series before the Ashes will do a lot to retain people's faith in the game. We will start to think about the current cricket, not the one which has gone before," said the 52-year-old New South Welshman in an interaction with a few reporters on Tuesday, during his brief visit to Mumbai. "If the players play good cricket and the public see good cricket, they will forget what's gone before. The people want their heroes to play well. There wasn't a hero in this (controversy)," he said. The former cricketer, who was the coach of the Pakistan team for two years and has seen from close quarters the spot-fixing tainted trio of Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamir, was confident the game would come out of the latest scandal as it has done several times in the past. "Cricket is such a resilient game. People in Australia are looking forward to the Ashes. The more, better and competitive cricket is played, the game will just move on," said the gangling Lawson when asked whether the game can bounce back in style.

[Sooda]

India squad to be picked on Monday i.e before the BP XI match So Sree Santh has little/no chance of making it even if he takes a 10-fer. Mithun did decently from all accounts in SL, but is he really a better option than a fit Sree? Is Zak ready for test cricket? not sure if this was worthy of a thread in itself but what the hey... -------------- http://www.cricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2010/content/current/story/477806.html India are not going to wait for the Board President's XI game before selecting the squad for the first Test of the two-match series against Australia, beginning on October 1 in Mohali. The selectors will meet on Monday, 11 days before the first Test, and five days before the BP XI game. The tour game against the Australians features Sreesanth and Cheteshwar Pujara, who would like to press claims for their selection, and Gautam Gambhir, who will be playing his first first-class game since a knee injury ended his Sri Lanka tour after the first Test, in July. The squad also includes Abhimanyu Mithun, who impressed the team management in Sri Lanka in the absence of Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth. Legspinner Piyush Chawla, too, would believe he is not too far from being in the frame, after Amit Mishra's dismal show in Sri Lanka. However, anything these players do in this game is going to influence selection only for the second Test. The Test squad itself shouldn't pose too many problems. Yuvraj Singh, who lost his No. 6 slot to Suresh Raina during the Sri Lanka tour, should keep his place in the squad. Before his illness made way for Raina in the second Test, Yuvraj had done decently with a hundred in the tour game and a fifty in the first Test. M Vjay should be the other back-up batsman apart from the main six. Zaheer Khan, fit now, should replace Munaf Patel from the squad that travelled to Sri Lanka. Harbhajan Singh should come back too after missing the third Test in Sri Lanka with fitness issues. If the selectors feel the need for a back-up wicketkeeper, Wriddhiman Saha, who was part of the touring party to Sri Lanka, should retain his place. Likely India squad: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, M Vijay, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Abhimanyu Mithun and Amit Mishra

[diegovegaz]

doesn't the practice match start friday?

[Roshanrocks]

I want Pujara :protest:

[saneindian]

Please dont select more than 12 players or release those not likely to figure in the final 11 for the 1st test as the Irani Trophy also starts on the same day the 1st test begins. The likes of Yuvi, Mishra/Ojha, Vijay and Mithun will be better off playing in the Irani Trophy match than warming the bench during the 1st test.

[Sooda]

yes Diego either Fri or Sat I believe... the test starts following Thursday I think India are not going to wait for the Board President's XI game before selecting the squad for the first Test of the two-match series against Australia, beginning on October 1 in Mohali. The selectors will meet on Monday, 11 days before the first Test, and five days before the BP XI game. Bit of a shame. Pujara would not have made it as Yuvraj and Raina have that no 6 slot between them, Yuv has not done badly there and Raina deserves one series at least. Would be nice to have seen Santh in the squad depending on BP match... Hope Zak is fit enough to bowl well. I actually think Vijay should have opened for the BP team hes a good fielder so may well be 12th man for the 1st test, Mithun and Mishra could play Irani match though

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Zaheer, Harbhajan expected to return to Test squad Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh are expected to return to the Indian squad for the first Test against Australia at Mohali. More... Sunday 19th September 2010 Zaheer, Harbhajan set to return Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh are expected to return to the Indian squad for the first Test against Australia at Mohali. The selectors, however, are not going to wait for the three-day game between Board President's XI and Australia from September 25-27 in Chandigarh to select the squad for the first of the two-match Test series. Paceman Zaheer, who was not picked for the Sri Lanka tour in July due to an injury, is expected to come in place of Munaf Patel while off-spinner Harbhajan, who missed the third Test in Sri Lanka due to fitness issues, is also set to return when the selection panel meets on Monday morning. Patel and Abhimanyu Mithun were part of the squad in Sri Lanka due to injuries to Zaheer and S Sreesanth. Opener Gautam Gambhir, who suffered a knee injury after the first Test in Sri Lanka but playing for Board President's XI in the three-day practice game against Australia, is also certain to make it to the squad to be led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The other opener Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman select themselves on their recent form. However, there is speculation that Yuvraj Singh might lose out his place to Suresh Raina after the latter's impressive performance in the second Test against Sri Lanka. Murali Vijay may find a place as a back-up batsman, along with Raina while in bowling front Ishant Sharma is expected to share the new ball with Zaheer. Spinners Pragan Ojha and Amit Mishra have gone to Sri Lanka, but with the latter's dismal show there, the selectors may want another bowler in the spin department to be led by Harbhajan. The BP XI squad for the tour game against the Australians features Sreesanth and Cheteshwar Pujara, who would like to press claims for their selection. It also includes Mithun, who impressed the team management in Sri Lanka in the absence of Zaheer and Sreesanth, as well as Piyush Chawla and will try to impress the selectors for a place in the national squad for the second Test against Australia starting in Bangalore on October 9.

[Gunner_Mania]

This team will only be for the first test. So performances in the first test & BPXI would probably be considered for 2nd test. Mind you if we start slow as usual we could be playing catchup by the 2nd test as usual.

[Sir john]

bhajji and zak will definitely back.

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T20 puts pressure on Test preparations of India vs Australia Australia's Test tour of India has been compromised by the increasingly powerful Twenty20 game with three fast bowlers in danger of missing the only warm-up game. More... Australia's perspective : Australia's preparations for Tests with India compromised by Twenty20 By Peter Lalor September 20, 2010 . Australia's Test tour of India has been compromised by the increasingly powerful Twenty20 game with three fast bowlers in danger of missing the only warm-up game. Doug Bollinger, Peter George and James Pattinson are all playing in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in South Africa. The national team's first practice game begins on Saturday, but the Champions League final isn't until Sunday. Even if they are knocked out in the semis, the bowlers could not get to India in time as they will have to fly from South Africa. When Josh Hazlewood broke down on Friday night the Australians realised they were in trouble with possibly only Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus available for the three-day warm-up game in Chandigarh. The selectors were forced to name New South Wales paceman Mitchell Starc and Pattinson as a stop-gap measure but there is concern in the Australian cricket camp that Test match preparation is being compromised by Twenty20. Adam Gilchrist warned once that Twenty20 might one day have to make a window for Tests and not the other way around. It appears the day is closer than anyone thinks. Should any of the Australian bowlers be injured before the practice game the squad will be even more diminished. Ponting explained the situation before leaving for India last night. "The tour game is scheduled to start the day of the Champions League final," he said. "South Australia are already in the semi-finals and Peter George is with them and Doug is with Chennai, so it is up in the air as to whether they will be in India in time to play that warm-up game. "That is the reason we have named two players to replace one. "We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope that we have a full squad to pick from in that tour game." Ponting admitted that India was a place where cricketers needed to get used to the conditions. "You need to be as acclimatised as possible to go into a tour game or a Test match so we will see how that works out," he said. The upside of the squad's predicament is that Starc is almost guaranteed to play in the practice game. The tall left-armer from Baulkham Hills, NSW, made his first-class debut in March last year and has 25 wickets from 10 games at an average of 35. "It's very exciting," Starc said. "I can't say that I thought I'd be there it's obviously bad news for Joshy (Hazlewood) but it opens the door for James and I. "I am looking forward to getting to India, I have never been there. "I think it will be an eye-opener with the culture and the grounds." Ponting said there was no reason he would not play three left-armers in a game -- Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Bollinger. "There's a very good chance that could happen and there's no reason why not, we've seen other countries around the world do it, I think Sri Lanka have done it and India have done it a couple of times as well," Ponting said. "If they are all bowling as well as they can it will make selection difficult for those spots in the side." More... India's Perspective: Cricket anyone? And it’s not the pyjama party that we are talking about. It’s Test cricket against Australia and winner takes all Ashish.Magotra@timesgroup.com Posted On Sunday, September 19, 2010 When the Australian team arrives in India today, they might just be greeted by silence. Between the Commonwealth Games mess, the boring T20 Champions League, the BCCI’s ‘conflicts of interest’, and the never ending drama that’s Pakistan cricket, the series against one of the toughest sides in the world stands forgotten. In the past, a series against Ricky Ponting’s men would be heralded with a training camp that would push the Indian team to breaking point. And when they weren’t doing the hard yards, they would be huddled together in a room trying to think up gameplans to tackle each and every Australian player. The thinking behind all this was simple: to help the Indian team start the series in prime condition — physically and mentally. But the packed calendar of India’s top stars has robbed them the chance of entering the series with a fresh mind and body. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and back-up opener Murali Vijay are all playing ‘pyjama cricket’ on the bouncy pitches of South Africa against opponents that not many in India have heard of. Hard at work Against this backdrop, take the case of Ponting. For the last couple of months, the Aussie skipper has been spending six days a week training hard with a personal trainer to get in the best shape of his life. The training lasted two and a half hours on an average and Ponting’s chiselled physique is proof that it worked. The 35-year-old skipper felt he was starting to slow down and wanted to rediscover the spark. He needed time to do that and he had plenty of it at his disposal. To acclimatise to the humidity, Ponting would wear a plastic jacket and the central heating was raised to 35 degrees. It was preparation at it’s most intense. The seniors in the Indian team will remember going through something similar under coach John Wright in 2001. Just before the epic series against Australia, India had a camp at the IIT-Chemplast grounds in Chennai and by all accounts, it was so tough that even watching was tiring. But in the end, all the hard work paid off. Of course, without the VVS Laxman-inspired spark of genius, it all might have come to nought but not one of the players was lacking in effort. And that’s what really counts. Indeed, while a majority of the first team players are in South Africa, coach Gary Kirsten & Co could have called a camp for the rest of the regular players. Yes, they need the rest but at least some of the players need help more than rest. Gautam Gambhir’s fitness needs to re-evaluated, Ishant Sharma is still a pale shadow of his best self, India’s second spinner slot is still up for grabs and well, Yuvraj Singh could benefit from doing the hard yards too. On their own, these issues are enough to warrant a camp. Plus, something like that would probably help the cricketers find their best rhythm again and in a series against Australia that can be priceless. There was talk of a short two-three day camp planned around Oct 1 but one really can’t see it being much help. To top all of this, the national selection committee will pick the India squad for the Test series against Australia today even before the Board President’s XI match is played on September 25 and 10 days before the first Test begins in Mohali. It basically means that good performances during the Board President’s XI versus Australia tour game, that begins in Chandigarh on Saturday, won’t count for much. Cheteshwar Pujara is being spoken about in selection circles. It seems unlikely that he will get a break against the Aussies but his case will be pushed hard. Against Australia, but for a few minor changes the selectors will stick to their tried and tested best.

[ravishingravi]

Stating the obvious.

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Practice imperfect for India With heavy rains in most of north India, players like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Ishant Sharma and Amit Mishra have been restricted to spending family time. More... Practice imperfect for India Indianexpress, G.S. Vivek, 24 September 2010 Despite a calm exterior, Tim Nielsen is a worried man. The Australian coach has been closely following the Chennai Super Kings campaign in the ongoing Champions League, purely because of the presence of Doug Bollinger and Mike Hussey critical to Australia's cause in the forthcoming Test series in their ranks. "I am trying to work out the way modern cricket works. Dougie (Bollinger) and Mike are playing for an Indian franchise in South Africa under an Indian captain, days before they come to play for Australia in India against India. It's something you couldn't imagine a couple of years before. We have given them a schedule with SG balls after their T20 routines; we have a plan if they lose the semi-final or if they play the final, to help them recover from a 11-hour flight," he says. Nielsen, though, hasn't considered leaving them out for the game against Board President's XI to give them extra rest. "I would leave that decision to individuals and assess them before the Test," he says. And though the Aussies may have that luxury, India don't. For a series that was modified from seven ODIs to two Tests and three ODIs to retain India's number 1 ranking, preparations don't indicate foresight. Bad timing Seven India players have been part of the CLT20 Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Murli Vijay and have little time to prepare for the series. Four of them are still in the competition, but perhaps it wasn't the right time from India' point of view. The remaining haven't exactly been preparing for Tests. With heavy rains in most of north India, players like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Ishant Sharma and Amit Mishra have been restricted to spending family time. Gambhir is short of match practice after being out after the first Test in Galle. Gambhir's request for some match practice was accepted by the selectors, making him captain of the BP XI. Mishra is equally worried and is planning to travel to Mohali much ahead to get some practice. "It's better than waiting in Delhi, at least I can get some overs under my belt," says Mishra. Sehwag hasn't had any luck either while Ishant has been busy in the gym. Plans for a small camp ahead of the series fizzled out and only VVS Laxman with some hits at the nets and Sreesanth going through the paces in Bangalore are prepared for the Tests. 'As good as Ashes' The Aussies, on the other hand, are better prepared, hitting the nets back home with special SG balls since the Test series against Pakistan. The Ashes is out of the mind and Marcus North puts it at par with the Ashes. "When you talk about Test cricket, this series is as good as playing the Ashes. Especially now, when India is the top team," says North. Michael Clarke says being "the top team in all formats is an area of perfection we look to achieve."

[saneindian]

Not having camp for those in India will not help things. If not anything at least those in India should hve been asked to report to NCA for a few days for some conditioning training.

[Dinx - the Jinx]

Not having camp for those in India will not help things. If not anything at least those in India should hve been asked to report to NCA for a few days for some conditioning training.

its raining in blore as well... hope it stops soon.. cox I've booked my tickets for all 5 days... :yay: www.bookmyshow.com

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India players get into the groove In the city for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Series, which gets underway at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, from October 1, seven members of the India Test squad had a practice session, reports Ashutosh Sharma. More... India players get into the groove Ashutosh Sharma, Hindustan Times Chandigarh, September 26, 2010 In the city for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Series, which gets underway at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, from October 1, seven members of the India Test squad had a practice session on Sunday. The players arrived in the city in two groups with Virender Sehwag and Ishant Sharma arriving on Saturday and the rest reaching on Sunday. Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Sehwag, Amit Mishra, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant and V.V.S. Laxman, along with coach, Gary Kirsten, arrived for the net session after their arrival. First to hit the nets were Tendulkar and Sehwag. Batting for close to an hour, both players tried to get an eye in and concentrated on playing the balls on their merit. Zaheer looked in superb touch and bowled at full steam. He got movement both on and off the pitch and troubled both Tendulkar and Sehwag. Ishant, on his part, concentrated on bowling line and length, while Mishra and Harbhajan tried different variations. Aware of Australia’s strengths, Kirsten later used a taped ball to give the Sehwag, Tendulkar and Laxman some practice against the seamers. Later, Harbhajan and Mishra joined in. A video footage of each player was also taken to analyse body movements. Though intense in nature, the session was broken by some friendly banter as the players tried to get into the grove after a small hiatus. Looking relaxed, Tendulkar was the liveliest. After finishing practice, he helped Laxman and Harbhajan by throwing taped balls at them alongwith the coach. The players did not speak to reporters but Kirsten will be happy that some of them had a good practice session, which lasted almost three hours.

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Sehwag, Harbhajan's injuries are minor: Physio Swashbuckling Indian opener Virender Sehwag batted with ease after having hurt his right knee while facing speedster Ishant Sharma during Sunday's net session, at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. More... Sehwag, Harbhajan's injuries are minor: Physio September 27, 2010 Swashbuckling Indian opener Virender Sehwag batted with ease after having hurt his right knee while facing speedster Ishant Sharma during Sunday's net session, at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. However, Sehwag didn't take any further part in the net session once he was done with his batting as he didn't want aggravate the injury. Senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also looked in some discomfort as he walked with a slight limp as his ankle was bandaged. Harbhajan however came out after a break and took part in training. The Indian team's physio said that Harbhajan and Sehwag had sustained minor injuries and there wasn't any reason for worry. Harbhajan, later bowled at the nets of Sector-16 stadium, in Chandigarh after the conclusion of the match between Australia and Board President's XI. The Indians players enjoyed a lengthy session compared to yesterday when they practised in the afternoon. Pacer Ishant bowled with full steam during the three hour session. Zaheer Khan looked in nice rhythm as he created a lot of trouble for the batsmen. Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Amit Mishra also sweated it out during the morning session. Former captain Rahul Dravid is expected to join the team tomorrow while skipper M S Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay are expected to reach in Mohali by Wednesday.