Comeback at Sydney

[Ram]

The fact of the matter is, irrespective of how our batting performs in the 2nd innings, the damage’s already done. Its bleeding obvious that either one of Ponting or Pup will make a 100. And after them comes, in my opinion, Australia’s best batsmen at the moment, Mike Hussey. I have a strong feeling he’s also lined up for a big contribution. They’re gonna take at least a lead of 200 in the 1st innings. As unlikely as it sounds, even if our batting managed 420 in the 2nd innings, I would still back Australia to chase 220 in the 4th innings. In reality, I think we will be bowled out for 270-280 in the 2nd innings, giving them a symbolic, meaningless target to chase. I think Zak’s early strikes have created a false perception about the state of the pitch. Everyone seems to be under the impression that our seamers have to just turn up and bowl to get the aussies out. This is a REALLY good batting pitch already and will get only better on day 2. The fact that 13 wickets fell on day 1 has clouded peoples’ judgment.

[bulbul]

The fact of the matter is, irrespective of how our batting performs in the 2nd innings, the damageÃÔ already done. Its bleeding obvious that either one of Ponting or Pup will make a 100. And after them comes, in my opinion, AustraliaÃÔ best batsmen at the moment, Mike Hussey. I have a strong feeling heÃÔ also lined up for a big contribution. TheyÃÓe gonna take at least a lead of 200 in the 1st innings. As unlikely as it sounds, even if our batting managed 420 in the 2nd innings, I would still back Australia to chase 220 in the 4th innings. In reality, I think we will be bowled out for 270-280 in the 2nd innings, giving them a symbolic, meaningless target to chase. I think ZakÃÔ early strikes have created a false perception about the state of the pitch. Everyone seems to be under the impression that our seamers have to just turn up and bowl to get the aussies out. This is a REALLY good batting pitch already and will get only better on day 2. The fact that 13 wickets fell on day 1 has clouded peoples judgment.

or they may get bowled out for Rash Shots or to spin for <200 ...we score 350 in good batting conditions and they will 300 All out on 5th day ..anything can happen

[Ram]

or they may get bowled out for Rash Shots or to spin for If you had told this to Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowarikker 13 years ago, they may have chosen to use this to script for the movie lagaan. See, I don't want to sound disrespectful or hopeless, but at some point, you have to recognize the writing on the wall. No point closing your eyes in the middle of the day and pretending that the world is dark. Our batter had their chance in the 1st innings, they blew it. There's no way in hell the aussies are going to make the same mistake.

[kabira]

To set a target of 250 or thereabouts India will have to score 400 or so in the 3rd innings. The only way we score that many is if Sehwag goes berserk and scores a 100.

when was last time sehwag scored hundred....he is playing loose cricket. we all know he can be devasting, all he has to do is play percentage cricket..atleast give one hour to bowlers...

[zep1706]

or they may get bowled out for Rash Shots or to spin for <200 ...we score 350 in good batting conditions and they will 300 All out on 5th day ..anything can happen

If the wishes were horses..........:haha:

[daryl1985]

We need Umesh to have a good day today and give support to Zak. Sadly i don;'t have much faith in Ishant. He has talent, is hard working but can't take wickets. Not sure the pitch will spin much today.

[ganeshran]

[Ithyphallic]

All this discussion is not gonna help them play any better. Never did, never will.

[The Outsider]

Looks like there were 12-15 overs of spin - was there any turn? Did the commentators speak about whether the pitch is going to turn later in the match? For all the boneheadedness of Ponting's decision to bat first at Sydney against Pakistan, he made an interesting comment - on pitches with something in it, if you think you are going to score more in the first innings than what you think you can bowl out the opposition for in the last, you should bat. I sound really desperate quoting Ponting for captaincy advice.

[Ram]

I may have held out hopes for a miracle comeback in the 2nd innings from our batsmen, but there’s one thing that stopping me dead on my tracks – the sight of James Pattinson. I am stunned at the impact that this rookie pacer is having against such an experienced and famous batting order. He has troubled EVERY single batsmen of our team, from numbers 1 thru 7. For somebody his pace and length, his natural length is surprisingly full. You can tell facing him, our batsmen simply do not know what to do. They know their defense is not good enough to keep out his best balls, so they want to attack him when the opportunity presents itself to upset his rhythm. But they’re so unsure about their game right now, even the attempted attacked shot is feeble. Sachin’s dismissal is a perfect fit for this description.

[Brainfade]

I feel the England failure was more down to a completely toothless bowling attack which constantly let England pile up huge scores and then allowing their bowlers to strangle our batting. But with Zaheer bowling superbly and perhaps still not at his best, I don't expect Australia to pile up huge totals in the series like 450+. Also we now have Ashwin and Yadav who appear to be much better than the players they replaced. Zaheer is the key figure in the team despite the big names of Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, and Laxman and I am sure he will keep giving opportunities for the batting line up to stamp their authority and they just might! Or maybe I am just being a wishful fan watching the last nail in the coffin of the great Indian batting line up like people in the late 70s watched the death of the Indian spin quartet. :((

I am not buying that argument. While our bowling *was* toothless, I don't believe it should have caused us to go 10 innings under 300. At some point, the senior players should've risen to the occasion - and they didn't. And I am seeing more of the same here. And this time, they cannot even pull out the acclimation excuse. It's just ineptitude at this point. I can't help but harp on 2 things (and they may be related): (1) The apparent lack of fitness - Gambhir, Sehwag and even Laxman seem to have entered the Duncan Fletcher belly race. And I think Sehwag will get there first. (2) Duncan Fletcher himself - yeah, I know that our players are professionals and must not depend on a coach for team chemistry, and that it is easy to blame the coach etc., but Gary Kirsten had these guys mentally and physically ready and raring to go. Somehow. But, Fletcher hasn't done it. Somehow.

[Chaos]

idiots are still in advertising mode, need more mulah i guess. No desire to effin play. Even commentators knew where james was gonna pitch the ball after pitching a short one to sehwag. What does sehwag do? like a dumb ass nick to keeper instead of leaving it. School kid *****t

[The Outsider]

I am not buying that argument. While our bowling *was* toothless, I don't believe it should have caused us to go 10 innings under 300. At some point, the senior players should've risen to the occasion - and they didn't. And I am seeing more of the same here. And this time, they cannot even pull out the acclimation excuse. It's just ineptitude at this point. I can't help but harp on 2 things (and they may be related): (1) The apparent lack of fitness - Gambhir, Sehwag and even Laxman seem to have entered the Duncan Fletcher belly race. And I think Sehwag will get there first. (2) Duncan Fletcher himself - yeah, I know that our players are professionals and must not depend on a coach for team chemistry, and that it is easy to blame the coach etc., but Gary Kirsten had these guys mentally and physically ready and raring to go. Somehow. But, Fletcher hasn't done it. Somehow.

Agree with you on both counts, but more so on the second. Kirsten was great as a coach by setting an example. I know this is not a Dhoni thread, but this is where I feel that the captain of the team should be good enough to lead by example as well. Nothing too wrong with what he has done so far on the tour, but being primarily a wicket keeper does inherently restrict his ability to do so. He can't come up and take 2-3 quick wickets to get the game moving like Akram or Kapil were able to do, nor can he play an over my dead body kind of knock like Waugh or Border used to do. Hopefully, he can pull off a blinder behind the stumps and set things in motion.

[Karan114]

I am not buying that argument. While our bowling *was* toothless' date=' I don't believe it should have caused us to go 10 innings under 300. At some point, the senior players should've risen to the occasion - and they didn't. And I am seeing more of the same here. And this time, they cannot even pull out the acclimation excuse. It's just ineptitude at this point. [/quote'] Absolutely. At Trent Bridge, they dismissed England for 200-odd on the first day (only time the bowlers did well) but the batting still flopped. After nine consecutive failures away from home, I have zero expectation from this batting line-up. Most probably Aus will pile up 400 (Ponting is ripe for that drought breaking big score) and we will fold for 200 or so.

[Bumper]

Our days under the sun are over. We ain't coming back. I am glad we are playing a full strength squad. Otherwise, we'd be deluding ourselves thinking that our failures are attributable to our undermanned line up.

[Laaloo]

Our days under the sun are over. We ain't coming back. I am glad we are playing a full strength squad. Otherwise, we'd be deluding ourselves thinking that our failures are attributable to our undermanned line up.

+++ I'm also glad we batted first. Our batsmen can't hide behind our bowlers again B->

[Sachinism]

That's what I kept telling myself during the England tour. Never happened. Against that backdrop' date=' I find it hard to believe it's going to happen.[/quote'] This Outy if you watched how they batted, you wouldn't have any hope either. It was absolutely pathetic. Didn't see Dhoni bat, but from the top order, only Tendulkar looked comfortable (no bias I swear :P)

[Ram]

This Outy if you watched how they batted, you wouldn't have any hope either. It was absolutely pathetic. Didn't see Dhoni bat, but from the top order, only Tendulkar looked comfortable (no bias I swear :P)

There's no point 'looking comfortable' only to get out before making a meaningful contribution. Even Sachin would be honest enough to admit that his previous 2 dismissals have been terrible. In the 2nd innings at MCG, he simply gave up at 80/5, which was quite shocking to be honest. It was not like we were chasing 450. Any total within 300 is always only one meaningful p'ship away from being within reach. There was still Dhoni and Aswhin to give him company and he should have played the waiting game. Instead, he went for that wild flay thru cover only to be caught at gully. If only we had gotten to 150/6 or 200/7, who knows what could have happened. Yesterday, that shot he played to get out in the situation he did was unacceptable. Again, It may sound unfair to single him out, but when you are Sachin Tendulkar, you will be judged by a bar that is atleast a metre higher than it is for the other mere mortals.

[SachDan]

No wonder you are optimistic.

..and no wonder he's also annoyed with people who felt Dravid's not the same, supremely assured batsman as he was in England in few months back.

[Ram]

..and no wonder he's also annoyed with people who felt Dravid's not the same' date=' supremely assured batsman as he was in England in few months back.[/quote'] Well, I agree with him. I myself havent yet uttered a syllalbe in anger against Dravid.