First test in Melbourne ... team, plan, tactics?

[theguyinallblue]

yeah..that is true..Sriram..but just to reduce the probability of the failure..a long batting line up somewhat gives a sense of assurance... i would definitely think on the lines of batting big...irrespective of the situation of the game in the first match at least... i think a draw will be a good result for our team in first match...IMO.. and a draw is ensured by big scores....and we need batsmen to score runs..more batsmen in the XI more probability of scoring runs..:nervous:.. i just want a draw from Team India...in boxing day match....but a win will be sone pe suhaga.. but never a loss in the first match...

[Ram]

Sandeep, history has shown that long batting line-ups are no guarantor for big scores in test cricket. We arent talking of One-day cricket here, where batsman with mediocre techniques can survive due to defensive bowling and field placements. The pressure that is exerted on a batting line-up is quantitatively different and is bigger in magnitude compared to ODIs by atleast a factor 5. You could pack your side with 11 specialist batsman, but if they arent good enough, they will be blown apart by a good bowling attack. Besides, its very negative mentality to go in to a test wanting to draw it. We must always believe that we good enough to beat the Aussies.

[theguyinallblue]

its not negative...i would call it...defence before attack..its like you are preparing bunkers and forts before going for an all out attack.... there will always be a difference in the attitude..behaviour and other things..between first and second test.. its the first step which always is more difficult.. so my strategy for the first test will be safety first... and you are right in saying that in form batsmen score runs..but what if there are 8 inform batsmen instead of 6 inform batsmen... i know our batsmen are in good form..but still i would pick another all rounder as a safety valve... i do not want a loss in first match...for that do whatever it takes...

[fineleg]

i do not want a loss in first match...for that do whatever it takes...

TGIB, That is an important point above. The Test-1 is critical for India to not lose. In 2003-04 series India went up 1-0, before Aus made it 1-1. Things will be very different if Aus goes up 1-0...if Aus get to lead the series they will make life doubly more difficult for Indians in the upcoming matches.

[Ram]

You CANNOT go into a test series hoping to win it, by thinking that " We should atleast draw the first test". Thats like conceding the series even before a ball has been bowled, IMO. We need bat aggressively, and bat out of our skins, whether we bat first or second and hope that the pressures of a test match and a huge total gets to the Aus, like it did in Adelaide 2004. If Wasim Jaffer is going to keep playing mindless pulls from outside off-stump, he's had it. Our ONLY hope is to make sure one batsman in the top 3 make big runs.

[fineleg]

MM, They should start by thinking they can win, but if we get into a mess, we need to move onto plan B. We just cannot afford to let Aus go up 1-0 early in the series. Regarding Jaffer - I hope Kumble has a word with him on this "stupid" pull shots that he keeps trying. JUST DONT jaffer, JUST DONT.

[bunny]

Sandeep' date=' history has shown that long batting line-ups are no guarantor for big scores in test cricket [/quote'] Can you give some examples? Over the last few years, Aus has produced some of the flattest wickets and touring bowlers have averaged 40+. In 2003 Nehra averaged 95+, IP averaged 65+. In 99, Prasad averaged 90+. If Zak was injured and if I were the captain I might even want to go with 8 batsmen, 1 WK and 2 bowlers (RPS and AK). Let SG and SRT do the required seam bowling and have VS, YS, SRT filling in as the 2nd spinner. The reason being that IP and PS/IS combined won't take more than 2 or 3 wickets. We will never be in a position to win, at least we can put all our eggs in one basket and go for a draw.

[Chandan]

We had a long batting line up at Karachi, and Dravid had opened there too. Yet we lost. That is a recent example.

[bunny]

We had a long batting line up at Karachi' date=' and Dravid had opened there too. Yet we lost. That is a recent example.[/quote'] That was a seaming wicket, we are talking of MCG here. And even though RD opened, we still played only 6 batsmen. And we need a long batting lineup so that RD doesn't have to open and VVS doesn't have to come 1-down. Anyway, what I am suggesting is not gonna happen. Let's just hope that we manage to put up a big score.

[jf1gp_1]

Can you give some examples? Over the last few years, Aus has produced some of the flattest wickets and touring bowlers have averaged 40+. In 2003 Nehra averaged 95+, IP averaged 65+. In 99, Prasad averaged 90+. If Zak was injured and if I were the captain I might even want to go with 8 batsmen, 1 WK and 2 bowlers (RPS and AK). Let SG and SRT do the required seam bowling and have VS, YS, SRT filling in as the 2nd spinner. The reason being that IP and PS/IS combined won't take more than 2 or 3 wickets. We will never be in a position to win, at least we can put all our eggs in one basket and go for a draw.

One shot bunny has resolved opening/shewag/yuvraj/kartik problem. Everyone will play and at their fav positions.