Comments on: Australia v India :: Boxing Day Test :: Day-4

By: theblackirishman

theblackirishman — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:54:03 +0000

I am not sure that the Indian batsmen were stuck in either camp….too much defense or offense. For the most part, they played a lot of defense and tried to hit the odd ball.

However, my feeling was that, the Ind batsmen were done in by the unrelenting accuracy of the oz bowlers. They were used to bowling attacks (End, pak et al) that would eventually start to give them loose / four balls. That simply did not happen with the oz attack.

I think, the ind batsmen will have to come out of their comfort zone of defensive batting coupled with some boundary hitting and do the hard yards….Place the balls, runs lots of singles etc etc. This has been mandated by the size of the oz outfields and the sustained accuracy of the attack.

By: Rob-e

Rob-e — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 08:19:02 +0000

Great post, bad luck for India, hopefully they will re-group for the sake of a good series. They seemed to be on the back foot, or "no foot" all day. I was at the game and took a swag of photos which you are very welcome to browse and use to compliment your editorial. I would like to link to this article in my blog if that is ok? Cheers.

By: Vinay

Vinay — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:42:22 +0000

I was disappointed at the lazy attitude of indian team. Rahul Dravid allowed the ball to go when a fielder threw it before keeping bat in crease, after seeing weird Misbah-Ul-Haq’s dismissal in India before. Ganguly wasn’t sliding the bat instead had his bat in air once. One cannot say that it is just because they are not fit now and cant make this athletic stuff, as they were not doing before though. All this suggest me that they just don’t care about somethings such as fielding, running between the wicket..etc. They just go on with the technique they know, famous for and dont want to try new. There was no calling between Harbhajan Singh, Ganguly and Singh got run out.
Australia they were making each and every thing count by good fielding considering target imposed. Their running between the wickets was very good
Ganguly scored 40 but it wasn’t worth it all. He just misjudged too many wrong ones, Flippers from Brad Hogg. There were many close LBW appeals, finally got out to Hogg.

By: harinee

harinee — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:23:24 +0000

I don’t understand why you give so much coverage to a sub standard writer like Lalor.Everytime you guys link to his articles you only give him more hits.I don’t think Dravid was following any strategy staying that long in the crease he just has problem playing an opener or is totally out of form.

By: mohankaus

mohankaus — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 13:06:35 +0000

Shan, I watched the match at the ground. If you’d read my Day-2 report, you’d note that I have commented on Dravid’s batting. On his second innings batting I personally have no problems. The team wasn’t going to make 499 and win. His strategy of occupying the crease was one that you (and Ian Chappell) may not agree with. But that sits well with me. You may say that his needless defence caused his wicket. I will say that Sachin Tendulkar’s needless aggression cost him his wicket! What would you rather have in a back-to-the-wall effort to draw a match? An attractive 50 made in 10 minutes or a grafted 16 that occupied and ate out an entire session?

– Mohan

By: Binod

Binod — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 13:01:57 +0000

Oh! Yes. Harbajan. He can come back for one of the tests if one of the other bowlers do not do well. Additionally, with a 4 man seam attack, Kumble, Sachin and Sehwag can handle the spin. They are all good. Kumble’s line and length, Sachin’s variations and Sehwag’s offspin. And Ganguly can also bowl. This will be a really aggressive attacking team.

By: Binod

Binod — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:58:48 +0000

Nice report. How about if Team India try and experiment away. The worst case scenario is a 4-0 whitewash. I’m sure we’ll all live with it.

Have Karthik and Sehwag open. Karthik can also keep. Dravid, Sachin, Ganguly and Laxman to follow. Interchange Dravid and Laxman. The class and experience that these four have is too good to ignore. Dravid will find his form. Sooner than later. Try the following two bowling attacks.
Kumble Pathan, Zaheer, RP and Ishant. If RP or Ishant do not do well, bring in the spinner Pankaj. India will have nothing to lose. Yuvraj and Dhoni can have their places back for the ODIs.

By: Shan

Shan — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 11:59:22 +0000

Umm…let me turn your own previous post header back to you. Were you watching the match? Dravid played two of the daftest innings even seen in Indian cricket. Ha faced more balls in the match than ANY other player for a total of 20 runs!!!

And Yuvraj’s 2nd inning dismissal was the perhaps the plumbest LBW dismissal in the match (watched the Hawkeye replay?)! The ball was going on to hit middle stump for chrissake! And you call him unlucky?

The only solution to this mess is to drop Dravid for a season and get Sehwag back as opener.