Pre-match discussion: India Vs England 4th Test

[sourab10forever]

if finn plays he will be another pain in the ass

[sourab10forever]

:yay::yay::yay:

[diga]

binny will play if thats the state of the ground

[Cricket_Hacker]

some hindi news channel showed that broad is injured and wont play

[Kalia_Test]

some hindi news channel showed that broad is injured and wont play

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/163fe319-5fb7-40e7-9876-4e63fde690d7.aspx LONDON: England on Sunday called Steven Finn into the squad for the fourth Test against India to replace injured paceman Liam Plunkett. After suffering particularly badly on England’s disastrous Ashes tour of Australia, Finn has been in good form for Middlesex this season. Yorkshire’s Plunkett dropped out to rest an injured ankle that will not be recovered in time for the fourth Test starting at Old Trafford on Thursday. The five-match series is levelled at 1-1. “Liam Plunkett experienced some left ankle discomfort at the end of the second Investec Test and will miss the fourth Test as this continues to settle,†the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a short statement issued on Sunday. England hope that rest will get Plunkett ready for the fifth Test starting on August 15. Finn’s form in Australia was so bad that he was the only member of England’s squad not to get a match in any of the five Tests, all won by the host nation. The 6 feet 7 inch (two metre) tall Finn, 25, made his Test debut for England against Bangladesh in 2010 and has since taken 90 wickets in 23 internationals. He has taken 44 wickets so far in the county championship this summer at an average of 29.72. Broad doubtful India might breathe a sigh of relief heading into Manchester as England may contemplate resting pacer Stuart Broad for the fourth Test staring on Thursday. According to a report in The Mirror, England’s Twenty20 skipper is facing some issues with his knee which might prevent him from taking guard at Old Trafford. The report also suggests the 28-year-old has tendonitis in his right knee and that the pain has become so unbearable that he needed hot baths in the night. It is also believed that Broad played through pain during the Southampton Test, helping England levelling the series 1-1. Broad’s history with knee injuries has been well documented. Earlier this year, Broad had issues with his knee during the World Twenty20 and even missed the ODI series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Prior to the five-Test series, head coach Peter Moores had hinted that both James Anderson and Broad may not feature in all five Tests against India. Both bowlers — Anderson (12 wickets at an average of 21.50) and Broad (seven wickets at an average of 34.57) — looked overworked in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in June, forcing Moores to keep all his options open. “For any bowler the way the Tests are constructed means it is a tight one,†Moores was quoted as saying by The Guardian. “But like most things it depends on how the Test matches shape up - do they go the full five days?â€

[YCCC]

Does anyone else agree that Old Twatford is the ugliest cricket ground in the world, even when the outfield is not covered in water. Only slightly uglier than Headingley. That red monstrosity at the far end is called (what is) The Point, and Aaron Finch unfortunately only just failed to knock it over with a huge 6 when playing there for Yorkshire

[Cricket_Hacker]

India's first day on a cricket field since the loss at the Ageas Bowl, and what would have been a demoralising verdict for them in the James Anderson hearing, began with a longish huddle at Old Trafford on Monday afternoon. Arms around each other, regrouping after having taken a beating on the field, in the court, and - they certainly believe - in a corridor at Trent Bridge. At one point, fielding coach Trevor Penney could be seen speaking animatedly in the huddle. Others spoke too. Wonder if someone said, "Boys, how the hell do we take 20 wickets here?" While what happened between Ravindra Jadeja and Anderson remains an issue, India will know you win Test matches by taking 20 wickets or playing teams led by Garry Sobers or Michael Clarke. India have done so only four times in their last 15 away Tests. On three of those four occasions, those 20 wickets have cost India more than their batsmen were able to score. The other successful instance was on this tour, at Lord's, but the two architects of that win - Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar - were out of action on the first day of India's pre-Test training. During their customary pre-nets footballs game, both Ishant and Bhuvneshwar took up goalkeeping duties. Ishant has been ruled out of fourth Test, MS Dhoni has already said, but Bhuvneshwar, who had a swelling on his ankle, remains a matter of interest. When the nets began, Ishant took up umpiring duties, ironically because he is guilty of bowling more no-balls than most in the world today. Bhuvneshwar bowled a few deliveries gingerly, off a short run, and pulled out in five minutes or so. Seen from outside, the signs cannot be good: the Test begins on Thursday. However, seeing how India called up replacement for Wriddhiman Saha but not an extra fast bowler - Umesh Yadav is available, for example - the educated guess would be that they are confident of his being fit in time for Old Trafford. That Ishant is still with the team, and that a replacement has not been called for, would mean they are hopeful of his return in time for the Oval Test. The team, however, will not say what the injuries are. Even if Bhuvneshwar is fit for Old Trafford, India will need a much-improved performance from Mohammed Shami, who has taken five wickets at 73.20 apiece. His economy rate of 3.81, too, has been the worst among specialist bowlers. No specialist bowler's wickets or overs have cost more per unit in this series. However, Shami looked really good at the nets on Monday, bowling at a good pace, repeatedly beating specialist batsmen. M Vijay was hit high on the thigh pads often, Cheteshwar Pujara had his poles uprooted, and Shikhar Dhawan was squared up and beaten around off. That might not be the only cause for concern for Dhawan, though. For the first time since India reached Nottingham, Gautam Gambhir had a hit pretty early on in the nets. It was a clear sign that Dhawan - after six failures - cannot take his place for granted. India have left open that option of bringing Gambhir in. Gambhir last played a Test for India in early 2012, in Nagpur against England. Gambhir is not the only option India seem to have left open. R Ashwin, who in the eyes of the experts and public has become a better spinner with every passing day out of the Test team, was more active in the nets than usual. He had a decent bowl at the start, and also got a longish hit with the bat. If he does come in, as almost everyone has demanded by now, he will do so in place of either Jadeja, who looked ineffective at the Ageas Bowl, or Rohit Sharma. Ashwin's last Test was Johannesburg, where he bowled 42 wicketless overs, 36 of those in the second innings. India have options, and they could prove you wrong, but in the absence of Ishant, this side does not look like one that will take 20 wickets for fewer runs than what their batsmen score. That is one reason that could make India think of stacking their batting up, and retain Rohit. Unless Dhoni looks to bowl that extra bowler for more than 10-12 overs, he will be better off with that specialist batsman at No. 6. For the first time in the series, you could not tell from India's nets what combination and players they are looking to play. Gambhir and Dhawan netted next to each other. Ashwin and Jadeja bowled with each other. Rohit and Ashwin batted one after the other. Bhuvneshwar did not bowl. Varun Aaron and Pankaj Singh could not be ruled out. You could tell India were not in a desirable situation when it comes to picking the XI, but at least they were back on the field, and laughing and joking at the end of the session.

[Cricket_Hacker]

Does anyone else agree that Old Twatford is the ugliest cricket ground in the world' date=' even when the outfield is not covered in water. Only slightly uglier than Headingley. That red monstrosity at the far end is called (what is) The Point, and Aaron Finch unfortunately only just failed to knock it over with a huge 6 when playing there for Yorkshire[/quote'] Most of India's grounds look worse

[vvvslaxman]

This is quiet funny to read India cannot take 20 wickets without Ishant sharma lol

[Cricket_Hacker]

Old Trafford pitch update

[rkt.india]

Old Trafford pitch update

more like Chennai pitch against Australia last year.

[undisputed chap]

more like Chennai pitch against Australia last year.

Moeen will take a 10 fer Come on Moeen :cheer: lets send these bozos packing :yay:

[YCCC]

Most of India's grounds look worse

Well, yes they don't look much better but I didn't want to say that on an Indian forum. I have to agree though! :two_thumbs_up:

[Cricket_Hacker]

Well' date=' yes they don't look much better but I didn't want to say that on an Indian forum. I have to agree though! :two_thumbs_up:[/quote'] We love bashing Indian cricket around here :winky:

[TheWall]

Old Trafford pitch update

This looks like an Indian pitch!!!!

[SLICKR392]

Old Trafford pitch update

Source? Don't think this is the pitch.

[Lord]

Source? Don't think this is the pitch.

This is Chennai pitch for match vs Aussies where Dhoni made 200. TL trolled :hehe:

[CSK Fan]

Actual pitch

[SLICKR392]

This is Chennai pitch for match vs Aussies where Dhoni made 200. TL trolled :hehe:

I din't get trolled. Its the ones above me. :finger:

[rkt.india]

Just saw the pitch on Aajtak. Its visibly green right now.