Thread for pre-match newsreports and discussion on the Durban Test

[Fontaine]

When was that? If you are talking about the Calcutta wicket' date=' I suggest you watch the match again, because it was not turning appreciably even on day 5. If you are talking about Kanpur, then again you are wrong, because they lodged an official complaint about that wicket.[/quote'] Well it was turning, but yeah it wasn't a rank turner and it was slower turn rather than quick and bouncy turn. And no I wasn't talking about Kanpur.

[cowboysfan]

WTF is wrong with you guys!? Blaming MSD for losing the toss? :banghead:

he is a ****ing unlucky muppet,he is lucky we have such a good team that we have overcome his unluckiness but these south african conditions are a different story,lose the toss and you will probably lose the match especially with all the rain around.

[graphic23]

he is a ****ing unlucky muppet' date='he is lucky we have such a good team that we have overcome his unluckiness but these south african conditions are a different story,lose the toss and you will probably lose the match especially with all the rain around.[/quote'] Tell us what one has to do guess correctly on a coin toss, then?

[The Outsider]

Well it was turning' date=' but yeah it wasn't a rank turner and it was slower turn rather than quick and bouncy turn. And no I wasn't talking about Kanpur.[/quote'] So, if a 5th day track offers a bit of turn to spinners it qualifies as the 'groundsman prepared a turning track' in your dictionary?

[Guest Hiten.]

Tell us what one has to do guess correctly on a coin toss' date=' then?[/quote'] Umm, delay his call till the coin lands ? :--D

[Sachin=GOD]

Umm' date=' delay his call till the coin lands ? :--D[/quote'] he's so unlucky with the toss that even then he'll call wrong :giggle:

[Zelig]

Umm' date=' delay his call till the coin lands ? :--D[/quote'] :hello: smart Alec

[cowboysfan]

Tell us what one has to do guess correctly on a coin toss' date=' then?[/quote'] send somebody else for the toss,I have never seen anybody so unlucky at the toss.

[Sachin=GOD]

"We'd have done better than India"

An upbeat South African captain Graeme Smith has started playing the mind games before they face India in the second Test. I still believe that we could have handled that situation better. I would like to insist that wicket was helping bowlers when we batted for first 40-odd overs," the South African captain stated in reference to India's 136 all-out in the first innings," said Smith. "Then wicket flattened out on 2nd day after tea and then on to 3rd day. But certainly we would done better on that wicket," Smith on Thursday took a dig at the much vaunted Indian batting line-up when asked how his team would have approached if put into bat. "I think that the scoring rate we achieved done the trick for us as we were left with lot more time to get India out twice," the Proteas skipper added. The skipper insisted that by inflicting a humiliating defeat on the opposition, his team will be riding high before they take on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men for the second time in the series. "Look we have won last Test match by innings and 25 runs. So we have lot of positives to take from that match. We are certainly going to take that confidence with us in the second Test match. On the other side doubts will certainly creep into the Indian team. But we aren't thinking too far ahead. We are focussing on the process and preparing well for this match," he said. The southpaw however expects a better fightback from Dhoni's men in the coming Test match. "I expect much more fight back from the India team. They have loads of experience. They will come out fighting in this Test match especially in the batting department. Don't forget this if fight between top two teams in Test cricket." Smith is confident that his bowlers can sort out Virender Sehwag who showed glimpses of his devastating ability with the willow during the second innings. "That's the way Sehwag plays. He backs his ability and if he gets going then he takes the game away from the opposition. But like in the first innings at Centurion, if we can knock Sehwag out early on, then things change for us. "If we can make early inroads, then we can test lower order on relatively new ball. That is going to be a huge challenge for us to restrict Sehwag from giving flying start for his team." Smith is however aware that South Africa's record at Kingsmead of late has been poor as they have the last two Test matches played. "Yes, we have lost last two Test matches played here at Kingsmead. Honestly speaking, we were not good enough in all five days while playing against England. We have spoken about it and will handle the situation better this time around," he answered. About the Kingsmead strip, Smith said,"We expect same type of bounce and carry on the Kingsmead wicket. We all know that conditions have been wet over here but now the sun is beating down. So you can expect a good wicket which will also offer some turn." About Hashim Amla who will be playing his 50th Test match, Smith said, "It's going to be big Test match for Hashim. He is a very composed and disciplined guy. He has become a solid performer for us in all forms of cricket. It is nice to see how he has grown in stature in international cricket.

[SachDan]

We need 400-plus in the first innings: Kirsten DURBAN: India's coach Gary Kirsten wants his batsmen to put up their hands and score sizeable first innings totals in the upcoming Tests in South Africa. "We were well-prepared for the first Test (at Centurion) but let ourselves down a bit in the first innings. We should have got 100 more," Kirsten said, referring to India's disastrous first innings performance which led to a massive defeat. "Whoever is there at the pitch should try to stay there and play a long innings. We need to get in excess of 400 in the first innings of a Test. Otherwise, we'll be under pressure." While on Thursday was an optional practice day for the Indians, Zaheer Khan was still conspicuous by his absence. Is all well with Zaheer? "Yes. He is fully fit, no worries there," Kirsten stressed. The second battle, the Boxing Day Test, begins on December 26. Reacting to criticism that India's lack of pace would not let them win in South Africa, the former opener said, "You need to take 20 wickets to win a Test. We've shown in the past that we've the ability to take 20 wickets in any condition. We've some quality in bowling." Asked if he had a look at the Kingsmead pitch, Kirsten smiled before saying, "I saw it from the dressing room. It looks the same as the outfield." What if another Centurion-like track was offered? "Then we'll have to assess the situation and apply ourselves well." Kirsten was happy with the way his players were responding to the challenges of the tour. "We've prepared as well as we could have. The players are committed to give their best and that is all I can ask for." Kirsten has fond memories of Kingsmead as a player with several innings of note. Will his knowledge help India? "I can only share information with the players who take it on board. It's up to the players." Asked if the team management has taken any decision on playing Suresh Raina in the second Test," Kirsten replied, "We've taken no decision." Cheteswar Pujara had a longish stint at the nets on Thursday. He was in the first batch of batsmen at the nets, working hard in company of openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, and looked in good touch. And long after nets were over, Kirsten took Pujara inside the ground and made him do some catching and throwing practice. With Raina's form deserting him, Pujara stands a good chance of playing.

[Ram]

Pujara is playing, definitely.

[fineleg]

Pujara is playing' date=' definitely.[/quote'] It will be a really tough test for Che if he is picked. Dale and Morne at Durban!

[saneindian]

Gambhir was hit on his fingers in the left hand during net practice today. He was in pain and was taken for scans. Not clear if he will play tomorrow. Physio said if he is not 100% fit tomorrow , we will not risk playing him.

[Sachin=GOD]

Gambhir doubtful for 2nd Test against SA

India received a huge setback on the eve of the second Test at Durban against South Africa. India could be without the services of opener Gautam Gambhir after he injured his left hand during a practice session. India are desperate to level the series as they play the 2nd Test against South Africa tomorrow. It is a big blow for India as Gambhir has been in good form and was one of the few batsman to get a few runs with the bat in the first Test. Murali Vijay could be a likely replacement for Gambhir. Meanwhile, pacer Zaheer Khan who missed the first Test due to a hamstring injury will be back in action at Durban.

http://www.timesnow.tv/Gambhir-doubtful-for-2nd-Test-against-SA/articleshow/4361276.cms :wall::wall:

[Lord]

hope hes alright.VJ will be a easy meat for Steyn n Co.

[Sir john]

gauti playing chances are 50-50

[The Outsider]

It will be a really tough test for Che if he is picked. Dale and Morne at Durban!

Please, can we please stop calling him Che? It is such an annoying name and a misnomer in many senses. What's wrong in calling him just, 'Pujara' or 'Cheteshwar'. Is it the cool factor?

[fineleg]

It is a short form, and Che does sound cool :thumbs_up:

[Sachin=GOD]

It is a short form' date=' and [b']Che does sound cool :thumbs_up:

:fail:

[fineleg]

^ Maybe not for some folks, doesnt matter. Che is an endearing name (Chintu is his real pet name, but Che sounds cooler than Chi :D) Anyway - to each his/her own. More importantly: Oh no! Gambo now has an injury :headshake: This is a critical series and we are just struggling to field our first choice playing 11. Thats bad luck.