The Outsider Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Laxman kept his date with Sydney. Caressed 109 of the most exquisite runs that can be scored and after his 167 on his first appearance at the ground in a burning bridge battle and 178 on his second in a 300+ run partnership. It was artistry at it's best. Now is the time for Sydney's other lover to step up. It was at this venue that a talented prodigy started the transition to becoming a great batsman 16 years back with 148 of the best runs you'll see. The innings was laced with superb backfoot punches and flicks against the fast bowlers and wonderful use of the feet against Warne. More than the strokeplay, the manner in which he batted with the tail at the age of 18 was something to appreciate. The transition to becoming a great batsman leap frogged a few days later at Perth, but this was his first innings which made the world sit up and really take notice. On his next visit, Tendulkar was buried under a 0-2 scoreline as captain with a team not showing any attitude to fight. His flamboyant 45 in the first innings was cut short by a dodgy decision and by the second innings even he had given up on the tour. Returning four years later, an out of form out of sort legend displayed a lesson in self denial by cutting off cover drives and concentrating solely on getting runs on the board. And did he get them or what!! 301 of them without being dismissed in the test (241* and 60*). Many factors contributed to the fact that the performance did not turn out to be the highest point in his career with a series win in Australia, but here he is back at Sydney with the series to played. Laxman as a faithful lover kept his date with flowers and chocolates. It's time for Sydney's other lover to come in riding on a horse. Looking forward to tomorrow.:two_thumbs_up:
Ram Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Well written Shwetabh. Tomorrow is Sachin's date with destiny, he has to keep it. We can safely say the fate of the entire series hangs on Sachin's performance on day 3. If he fires and scores a century, we are guaranteed to either get close to, or get past Aussie first innings total. Though that doesnt guarantee impunity from defeat for us in this test, atleast we maximize our chances to stay afloat. On the other hand, If Sachin fails we fall for a low first innings score, we can bid this series a french-kiss goodbye and resume with our normal lives.
kumble_rocks Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Returning four years later, an out of form out of sort legend displayed a lesson in self denial by cutting off cover drives and concentrating solely on getting runs on the board. And did he get them or what!! 301 of them without being dismissed in the test (241* and 60*). Many factors contributed to the fact that the performance did not turn out to be the highest point in his career with a series win in Australia, but here he is back at Sydney with the series to played. Laxman as a faithful lover kept his date with flowers and chocolates. It's time for Sydney's other lover to come in riding on a horse. Good Post, Shwetabh . It was Deja Vu all over again . I distinctly remember watching this series ball by ball (forced to because shelled out big bucks for Dishnetwork) and Sachin was made to look very ordinary probably for the first time in his career by the effervescent stroke play of Very Very Special Laxman . Of course it didn't help Sachin's cause that he was out of sorts and he was actually grafting for his runs initially . And it wasn't a chance less innings either. But , true to his self , he showed fighting spirit and stroked himself to form . Here is it to hoping Dravid follows suit ...
Dhondy Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Just saw the highlights. It was an innings of two halves. The first half was brilliant, crisp batting, the very best of Laxman. The second half was patchy, increasingly loose, concentration gone, just a matter of time before he went. No way would this ton compare to the three previous ones scored in Australia. I thought the Australian bowlers were brilliant, and very unlucky. Real quality in their attack, and I simply can't see India escape the opening skirmishes of day 3 unscathed. Go back to the two innings at the MCG, and see how India capitulated from reasonably sound position at 100+ for 3. I can see this going pretty much the same way. They will probably collapse for something under 300 from here, perhaps even struggling to avoid the follow-on. The only thing that stands between Australia and 2-0 is rain.
coffee_rules Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Reading the title, I thought it was about Bucknor and the other magician being Benson...
Anakin Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Reading the title' date=' I thought it was about Bucknor and the other magician being Benson...[/quote']:haha::haha:
DravidDaBest Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Just saw the highlights. It was an innings of two halves. The first half was brilliant, crisp batting, the very best of Laxman. The second half was patchy, increasingly loose, concentration gone, just a matter of time before he went. No way would this ton compare to the three previous ones scored in Australia. I thought the Australian bowlers were brilliant, and very unlucky. Real quality in their attack, and I simply can't see India escape the opening skirmishes of day 3 unscathed. Go back to the two innings at the MCG, and see how India capitulated from reasonably sound position at 100+ for 3. I can see this going pretty much the same way. They will probably collapse for something under 300 from here, perhaps even struggling to avoid the follow-on. The only thing that stands between Australia and 2-0 is rain. We'll defintely score 400. I wouldn't be surprised if we go past 500
veer Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Just saw the highlights. It was an innings of two halves. The first half was brilliant, crisp batting, the very best of Laxman. The second half was patchy, increasingly loose, concentration gone, just a matter of time before he went. No way would this ton compare to the three previous ones scored in Australia. I thought the Australian bowlers were brilliant, and very unlucky. Real quality in their attack, and I simply can't see India escape the opening skirmishes of day 3 unscathed. Go back to the two innings at the MCG, and see how India capitulated from reasonably sound position at 100+ for 3. I can see this going pretty much the same way. They will probably collapse for something under 300 from here, perhaps even struggling to avoid the follow-on. The only thing that stands between Australia and 2-0 is rain. itna be-dard mat ban... doc.. both SRT and SG are playing with correct mind sets.. .i am worried about UV and Dhoni though..
goose Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Laxman - Tendulkar will score 200 Just heard it on the BBC. Laxman predicts Tendulkar will get his second double ton at Sydney. No pressure !
Dravid Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 sachin wont score 200 for 5k any takers? no limit @ # of ppl :D
siddhu Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Laxman tere muah mein ghee shakkar say that after he scores....:pray:
fineleg Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 itna be-dard mat ban... doc.. both SRT and SG are playing with correct mind sets.. .i am worried about UV and Dhoni though.. Veer is finally worried abt something :-)
Guest BossBhai Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 ssssssshhhhhhhhhh -- Removed on request of the user --
siddhu Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 The Boss is Batting x 38 what a reply.....:two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up:
DesiChap Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 BOSS :two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up:
chunky_lafanga Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 If some on this forum had their way then they would have retired GOD. We saw how the so called young pretenders fared today :giggle:
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