Australia v India: 4th Test, Adelaide

by **Pal Joey** Mon 23 Jan 2012, 3:50 am

First topic message reminder :

Border-Gavaskar Trophy
4th Test, January 24-28, Adelaide Oval
Start time: 1030 CST, 1100 EST, 0530 IST, 0000 GMT

Australia:
1 David Warner, 2 Ed Cowan, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey,
7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Peter Siddle, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Nathan Lyon.

India:
1 Virender Sehwag (capt), 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 VVS Laxman, 6 Virat Kohli,
7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Umesh Yadav.

by **Fists of Fury** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 8:38 am

All too easy, isn't it? Yadav is never an international bowler in a million years, the guy is appalling. Ishant is far too unreliable, though if it wasn't for shocking captaincy from Sehwag Clarke would have been gone in the 30's (he didn't have a first slip in place - with Aus 3 down that is inexcusable). He was also dropped on 130 I believe. India go from bad to worse.

Shame Praveen Kumar isn't there, he at least is very much a trier, accurate and would be 10 times the threat that any of this lot are.

by **hampo17** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 8:43 am

I think what has to be a worry for the Indians, is that Austrailia have a large score on the board, and if I was Sehwag looking around that dressing room I wouldn't know where the runs where going to come from.

by **Fists of Fury** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 8:51 am

Well they can't blame the pitch, that's for sure.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Tue 24 Jan 2012, 9:08 am

hampo171 wrote: if I was Sehwag looking around that dressing room I wouldn't know where the runs where going to come from.

Probably a dodgy samosa is their biggest hope.

by **hampo17** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 9:13 am

haha!

by **Fists of Fury** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 10:08 am

by eirebilly Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:11 am

Is this the worst year (last 12 months) that India have ever had in test cricket?

by **Biltong** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:16 am

wow, that is a good score for the day considering 3 eickets fell early.

Ponting and Clarke are surely making big statements here.

I see in the news Ponting reckons he is not done yet.

Well I would say welcome back Punter.

by **Pal Joey** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:49 am

eirebilly wrote:Is this the worst year (last 12 months) that India have ever had in test cricket?

They've had some longer spells without series wins over the years. They did win the last series v WI in India so I'd say they've had much worse 12 month periods going back in time.

Dec 1999-Feb 2000 was probably the worst stretch before now when they lost to Australia (3-0) and SA (2-0).
Before that from March '89 to November '90 - they lost 5, drew 9 - no wins.
From June '82 until June '86 (10 series) India lost 6 Test series, 4 drawn - no wins. In Tests: Lost 12, 1 win, 24 draws.

The first 20 years (1932-1952) were the worst though.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/team/6.html?class=1;template=results;type=team;view=series

by eirebilly Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:54 am

Thanks breaker. They could very well get whitewashed 4-0 in this series and coupled to the 4-0 whitewash against England i was sure that this was one of their worst 12 months ever.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:21 pm

I dont think its unreasoanbnle to suggest that this may be the worst 12 months for a team that went into it as the best in the world.

However England have made a good start to their challenge to that record.

by **Pal Joey** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:29 pm

Who have they got after Pakistan... SL (3) then SA (3) or is it 4 at home?

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:36 pm

Linebreaker wrote:Who have they got after Pakistan... SL (3) then SA (3) or is it 4 at home?

https://www.606v2.com/t22465-england-s-probable-test-schedule-till-january-2014

by **Pal Joey** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 12:57 pm

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:
Linebreaker wrote:Who have they got after Pakistan... SL (3) then SA (3) or is it 4 at home?

https://www.606v2.com/t22465-england-s-probable-test-schedule-till-january-2014

They should win most of those... hopefully. The SA series will be a cracker!

by Guest Tue 24 Jan 2012, 4:34 pm

another fantastic day for india...

inspired captaincy, superb bowling the bowlers hit their line and lengths reguarly and were brilliant to watch laughing

HORRIFIC DAY FOR INDIA: yadav going at 7 an over, its like watching the aussies of old, battering the opposition into submission, congrats punter on going past 13,000 test runs, back in form, the only worry is marsh..averaging 3 in this series, was birlliant before his injury, now he cant buy a run.

by Mike Selig Tue 24 Jan 2012, 5:33 pm

Got to agree with a lot of what's being said, apart from Fists' comment that Yadav isn't an international bowler. I think he is what he is, a wicket-taker who'll go for runs and occasionally have horror days. A bit like Mitch Johnson before he got the yips permanently. Or someone like Devon Malcolm, or Fidel Edwards maybe. Certainly alongside Zaheer and say Kumar he could be successful.

Ashwin did well on a day 1 pitch, although he bowled a bit short to Clarke (understandable as his more pitched up balls were often slapped over his head). But Clarke is a very tough bowler to bowl spin to unless you're quick through the air, which Ashwin isn't really. Anyway, agree with Demon about the choice to leave him out in Perth. Wouldn't have changed the result probably (although as we saw today he may have calmed Warner down a bit and he'd probably have scored more runs than most other indians...).

Ponting shows he's not done quite yet. Marsh is a worry, and I feel a bit silly for having said how good I thought he could be before the series started. I stand by that, but he does need to get himself in at some point. At this stage I'd pick Watson at 3 when fit.

Oh, and for India not to pick Rohit Sharma in this test shows they care more about the well-being of their superstars than winning test matches. Sorry to be blunt.

by TRUSSMAN66 Tue 24 Jan 2012, 6:10 pm

Dear oh dear what a shambles.....Lack heart..lack fight....If earning millions in the IPl is going to produce yellow-bellies then don't play test cricket!!!

Captained by a guy who throws his wicket away as If it means sack all....and stands around like he's got better things to do..

Disgrace to their flag.....Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman aside..

by rich1uk Tue 24 Jan 2012, 7:22 pm

cricketfan90 wrote:
the only worry is marsh..averaging 3 in this series, was birlliant before his injury, now he cant buy a run.

well you say that but maybe he just had beginners luck but since his first two innings is showing he is not really a test match batsman ?

by TRUSSMAN66 Tue 24 Jan 2012, 7:30 pm

"Brilliant before his injury"

If only Tendulkar, Lara and Richards could have attained those lofty heights!!

by Shelsey93 Tue 24 Jan 2012, 7:48 pm

Pretty shocking from India after lunch today... Ashwin was good enough until Clarke got the better of him and Zaheer was what he is these days (a decent swing bowler but a bit down on pace and not really a destroyer).

Ishant concerns me as he always seems to do just enough to stay in the team without actually taking many wickets - 132 @ 37.19 in Tests and his best two years were 2007 and 2008. Last year he took quite a lot of wickets but more from a couple of good matches against a very inexperienced WI line-up in the Caribbean and playing a lost of Tests. I would have played Mithun in this Test instead, just to see where we're going with Mithun rather than to rule out Sharma.

Yadav is odd in that when I see him he always seems to be being tonked round the park or taking wickets (often bowled or caught slips and rarely from great deliveries). Something of an asset, particularly if he gets a little more consistency, away from home, but not really worth the risk as part of a 2 man seam attack on the sub-continent methinks.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Tue 24 Jan 2012, 9:06 pm

rich1uk wrote:
cricketfan90 wrote:
the only worry is marsh..averaging 3 in this series, was birlliant before his injury, now he cant buy a run.

well you say that but maybe he just had beginners luck but since his first two innings is showing he is not really a test match batsman ?

No.
He is still rated as the most technical batsman Australia has. Unlike Phughes his problems dont stem from getting out the same way time and again, hes just lost his rythmn. This may be partly a mental block since his injury ( which hampered him in some of those innings), but its something that the coaches think he can work through without having to go back to the drawing board like Hughes has.
The big innings he hit first up was a masterclass, it wasnt lucky it was quality batting and indicative of how he played in first class cricket. Id stick my neck out and say Warner is more likely to turn out to be a bit of a "one hit wonder" than he is.

by **Pal Joey** Tue 24 Jan 2012, 9:49 pm

However Warner has already released two 'hit singles', Peter!

by skyeman Tue 24 Jan 2012, 9:53 pm

Watson, Cowan or Marsh ??

Watson is a cert so between Cowan and Marsh?

by Shelsey93 Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:17 pm

Marsh needs a score. I rate him but averaging 3 in a series is truly worth the axe, particularly when all the other Aussie batters have scored runs to some extent or another. In an ideal world for Australia, Marsh will score a 50 in the 2nd innings, Cowan will fail and they can line-up Watson, Warner, Marsh, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke. Otherwise, with Cowan a genuine opener and Warner having cemented his opening place, I guess Watson will be asked to have to adapt to number 3, where he has never batted before.

by skyeman Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:42 pm

Ashwin's press statement after the first day's play:

"Two teams play; one has to lose. It's fine. Nobody is embarrassed in the dressing room."

I think after their last two overseas tours, the Indian fans would not see it the same way Very Happy

by skyeman Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:50 pm

Well at least, we should see a few Indian's get hundreds today:

Khan, Yadav,Ashwin and Sharma Very Happy

by **Kenny** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 12:05 am

You watching it LB ?

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 12:13 am

150 up for Clarke.

Superb form since becoming captain.

Aus 352/3.

by **Kenny** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 12:15 am

Both Clarke and Ponting look comfortable , look like they would have to get themselves out rather then the bowlers at the moment

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 12:30 am

KingKenny7Heaven wrote:You watching it LB ?

Yes Kenny... just busy with work just now. Had to mute it for a phone call.

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 12:33 am

16,000 runs up for Kenny... clap

by **Kenny** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 12:35 am

Both looking good aren't they

by **Kenny** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 12:52 am

First real chance of a wicket there , Clarke seemed to take his eye off it but the ball lands safe

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:01 am

The 400 up for Aus and 65 runs in the first hour.

Aus 400-3.

by **Kenny** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:03 am

Dont think Aus will bat that long but would the Dons 299 ground record be in danger if they did ?

by rich1uk Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:04 am

skyeman wrote:The 400 up for Aus and 65 runs in the first hour.

Aus 400-3.

looking very gloomy for india now as their best chance of getting back into the game was first thing this morning with the new ball , new ball has gone and so have india chances imo. just a case of how long does clarke want to bat before he declares i think.

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:08 am

Was thinking what sort of score they would declare on. Surely well over 500?

I hope the Don's record stays... but it looks like these 2 could get well over 200 runs each before a declaration is made.

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:16 am

Weather is set fair, bat nearly all day for 650 and leave India five overs.

The 299 could certainly be under threat.

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:26 am

Highest ever partnership at AO now. 342 runs clap

by **Kenny** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:28 am

Really tired now but going to stay up to see if they both get 200

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:35 am

Only half an hour to lunch - think Clarke might get there... Ricky, well you never know! That helps...

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:35 am

KingKenny7Heaven wrote:Really tired now but going to stay up to see if they both get 200

Good luck

I think Clarke will before lunch, Ponting might be after though.

Waiting up for Eng, if we bat first hopefully they will be 340/1 at the close. Shocked

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:39 am

Sharma should have taken that chance Rolling Eyes

by **Kenny** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:39 am

skyeman wrote:
KingKenny7Heaven wrote:Really tired now but going to stay up to see if they both get 200

Good luck I think Clarke will before lunch, Ponting might be after though.

Waiting up for Eng, if we bat first hopefully they will be 340/1 at the close.

I like your optomism thumbsup

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:41 am

When does that match start... in about 5-6 hours?

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:42 am

KingKenny7Heaven wrote:
skyeman wrote:
KingKenny7Heaven wrote:Really tired now but going to stay up to see if they both get 200

Good luck I think Clarke will before lunch, Ponting might be after though.

Waiting up for Eng, if we bat first hopefully they will be 340/1 at the close.

I like your optomism

And Andy Murray to win in three sets.

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:43 am

Linebreaker wrote:When does that match start... in about 5-6 hours?

4hrs 15m

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:44 am

200 for Clarke. thumbsup

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:45 am

skyeman wrote:
Linebreaker wrote:When does that match start... in about 5-6 hours?

4hrs 15m

Ta Skye - I'll definitely be watching it.

by skyeman Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:47 am

This game till Murray plays then switch back to the Eng game.

Some great sport Very Happy

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