India v. NZ--T2 Bangalore

First topic message reminder :

Pitch might assist seamers..whatever that means in the Indian context.
Dhoni is mad for not getting the spin and bounce that he has been openly asking for.
Showers are predicted.

So NZ stands a chance of winning...because the quality of their seamers is good.
At the very least they should not lose.


we want to see more competition than we did in T1

flynn survives a plumb lbw hit on the back leg.....perhaps the umpire mistook the pad bat to bat-pad......but Taylor goes plumb now

NZ have to push it towards 300...somehow....i dunno how......their speiclist batsmen are finished and they have allrounders only like franklin and van wyk.

flynn's gotta get a 100...although he is looking all at sea against ashwin

yeah I think NZ will struggle to post a competitive score here, although a chase of 200+ is never a given youd expect India to make that
NZ do have an odd balance to the side, severly lacking in proper batsmen ...there cant be many test sides where the number 11 has a higher batting average than the number 6 and even the number 5 averages under 30

Well done to New Zealand for giving it such a fight, they'll need another 125+ runs and then this game will be right in the balance.

Van Wyk hit first on the head and then on the arm of back to back balls from Umesh Yadav, He looked in some pain, but he's not going anywhere. New Zealand 171-5.

Lead up to 200 now, 100 more runs and NZ are in the driving seat.

NZ lead by 200 with 5 wickets remaining. That score slowly approaching dangerous levels as far as India is concerned. Van Wyk will be feeling better, Yadav off, Ashwin back on.

This pair needs to keep things going a while yet. I can't see us bowling India out for under 250, but if the lead can get up over 270 the 4th innings will be very interesting.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:This pair needs to keep things going a while yet. I can't see us bowling India out for under 250, but if the lead can get up over 270 the 4th innings will be very interesting.

And I've just jinxed van wyk

Van Wyk is out, the lead is 207 but only 4 wickets remaining. Franklin will have to hang around now and hope one of the tailenders can stick with him.

Bracewell is intent on playing his shots. New Zealand 208-6.

Another 10 overs are left in the day's play. unlikely to have them all in, but India would really hope for a wicket at least in the remaining overs.

Big wicket for India, Franklin's gone. 3 wickets remaining and the lead is only 228. The tail really need to chip in here with at least 50 runs.

Duty281 wrote:Big wicket for India, Franklin's gone. 3 wickets remaining and the lead is only 228. The tail really need to chip in here with at least 50 runs.

Stupid from franklin, running down the pitch and getting stumped. The scoreboard was ticking over nicely.

India will need to set a record for 4th innings chases at Banglalore though.

Southee goes quickly, 5-fer for Ashwin

And ohja gets Bracewell next ball. 2 wickets on double-Nelson, 222/9

Stumps, NZ 232/9, a lead of 244.

A very interesting day in prospect tomorrow.

New Zealand finished the day at 232-9 and the lead is 244. If they manage another 15-20 runs, it will be real pressure on the Indians, already they have to create a record on the ground to win this one. And remember, India's 4th innings crisis man has retired and there is no Rahul Dravid. The openers haven't had a big score for 2 years and Tendulkar is not looking in good touch. Raina is a bit of a lottery in test cricket and the tail is not the strongest in the world.
The match is shaping up very nicely indeed.

the pitch is not bad.
the match going to the most likely script so far......
lead will be about 250ish......
Gambhir will get a big 50...sehwag anotehr dashing 40odd...
tendulkar a not out 50 and India should get home by 6 to 7 wkts.....

perfect preparartions for India for the rest of the season

KP_fan wrote:the pitch is not bad.
the match going to the most likely script so far......
lead will be about 250ish......
Gambhir will get a big 50...sehwag anotehr dashing 40odd...
tendulkar a not out 50 and India should get home by 6 to 7 wkts.....

perfect preparartions for India for the rest of the season

Agreed, if they can see off Southee with the new ball.

Fair play their tails put them in the game. 250 is never a gimmee but Id still fancy India to do it. NZs bowling is average, and they dont have a real spin attack.
Theyve done well to be in the game

India have to start as favs in the run chase IMO..

NZ have blown what was a good position in the game, and lets be honest, they dont have the most threatning of bowling attacks do they?!

You gotta think the pitch will start turning big on day 4, with is a problem for NZ as Patel is a pretty mediocre bowler. I can't see him tying India down.

CF wrote:India have to start as favs in the run chase IMO..

NZ have blown what was a good position in the game, and lets be honest, they dont have the most threatning of bowling attacks do they?!

Its better than their batting line up. They did have a chance of making more of a lead, but scoring 600 between two innings is pretty good by their standards. Being in the game at all,away, against one of the better sides isnt bad...lord knows england find it hard enough to play in India

Its harsh to say "blown it" when they are still in with a sniff and did well to even have a chance of a lead in the first place.

It is not going to be easy for India, this New Zealand lineup has more of a problem with their batting and not bowling. Agreed Jeetan Patel isn't the greatest spinner walking on the planet, but the greatest of them haven't troubled India much. But good fast bowlers have done it. Not only the likes of Donald, McGrath, and Steyn, but even good bowlers such as Chris Martin and Tim Southee, have had their moments. New Zealand has a decent bowling unit, and the Indian batting lineup has a few who are innexperienced, and all the experienced ones other than MS Dhoni are a bit out of touch. If NZ get a couple of early wickets then it would not be easy for India. If Patel and Boult could somehow add another 20-25 runs, there will be more pressure on the Indians.

NZ bowling is decent...and their best bet is to make inroads with the new ball in thr first 10 to 15 overs....

thereafter until the 80th over it will be india's game...they would hope to kjnock off the 250 odd by then.

the pitch offers help to (1)new ball...to(2) reverse swing and to (3)quality /mystery spinners with variations....
NZ is able to exploit only category-1

A Bowling side like Pakistan would make India toil in blood and sweat to even chase 180 on this pitch.

And looking at India's next opponent Eng, whom I look at very closely because they value the most interesting form of game...test cricket......

I believe if Eng püts together Finn, Onions, Monty and Swann as their 4 bowlers....they will probably draw the series....

Thankfully ffrom Indian perspective ....Flower will mess up 2 to 3 tests with Bresnan, Broad and Patel diluting the bowling

Is Anderson dropped, the worlds second best bowler.

skyeman wrote:Is Anderson dropped, the worlds second best bowler.

sorry oversight..........put him in place of Onions

I can't believe i am saying this, but on current form maybe Finn should have a shot instead of Broad if he does not regain his pace. I think Broad will get tanked out there bowling at 80.

But i still think they will stick with Broad, he has earned it.

skyeman wrote:I can't believe i am saying this, but on current form maybe Finn should have a shot instead of Broad if he does not regain his pace. I think Broad will get tanked out there bowling at 80.

But i still think they will stick with Broad, he has earned it.

you think Eng will play Monty as the 4th bowler ?

KP_fan wrote:NZ bowling is decent...and their best bet is to make inroads with the new ball in thr first 10 to 15 overs....

thereafter until the 80th over it will be india's game...they would hope to kjnock off the 250 odd by then.

the pitch offers help to (1)new ball...to(2) reverse swing and to (3)quality /mystery spinners with variations....
NZ is able to exploit only category-1

A Bowling side like Pakistan would make India toil in blood and sweat to even chase 180 on this pitch.

And looking at India's next opponent Eng, whom I look at very closely because they value the most interesting form of game...test cricket......

I believe if Eng püts together Finn, Onions, Monty and Swann as their 4 bowlers....they will probably draw the series....

Thankfully ffrom Indian perspective ....Flower will mess up 2 to 3 tests with Bresnan, Broad and Patel diluting the bowling

And I believe that is we put together Anderson, Broad, Onions and Swann then we'll win the series.

Duty281 wrote:

KP_fan wrote:NZ bowling is decent...and their best bet is to make inroads with the new ball in thr first 10 to 15 overs....

thereafter until the 80th over it will be india's game...they would hope to kjnock off the 250 odd by then.

the pitch offers help to (1)new ball...to(2) reverse swing and to (3)quality /mystery spinners with variations....
NZ is able to exploit only category-1

A Bowling side like Pakistan would make India toil in blood and sweat to even chase 180 on this pitch.

And looking at India's next opponent Eng, whom I look at very closely because they value the most interesting form of game...test cricket......

I believe if Eng püts together Finn, Onions, Monty and Swann as their 4 bowlers....they will probably draw the series....

Thankfully ffrom Indian perspective ....Flower will mess up 2 to 3 tests with Bresnan, Broad and Patel diluting the bowling

And I believe that is we put together Anderson, Broad, Onions and Swann then we'll win the series.

Wishful thinking.

India will play Swann out of the attack. Off spinners get dismantled in India.

Secondly England can't play spin, so whatever England's fast bowlers do, their batsmen will undo their work.

skyeman wrote:I can't believe i am saying this, but on current form maybe Finn should have a shot instead of Broad if he does not regain his pace. I think Broad will get tanked out there bowling at 80.

But i still think they will stick with Broad, he has earned it.

Whereas Finn will fully utilise the pace and bounce of the wickets coupling it with his unerring accuracy? 7Or perhaps he'll come across as an inaccurate fast medium ...who knows....

finn will be like Steyn....skid it off the pitch because of his pace...and with his style and pace of bowling I am almost certain....will pick reverse swing in India.

KP_fan wrote:finn will be like Steyn....skid it off the pitch because of his pace...and with his style and pace of bowling I am almost certain....will pick reverse swing in India.

Yes he has the pace to generate reverse swing but he is not a skiddy bowler, hes a tall bang it in bowler...very different to Steyn who lets face it is pretty special ( and short for a fast bowler). Finns test record in the sub continent is pretty poor....he took just 7 wickets in 6 innings, he took 9 in his first home test. Also effective in Aus on fast pitches. His success in England relies in seam movement as well as swing, he wont be getting that in India.
Although that is at odds with his limited overs record where hes been lethal on Asian pitches, but tests he has yet to find a way of being a wicket taking threat even against lesser batsmen than Indias.

I hope Im wrong, but tall fast bowlers general;y dont look at India as a place that will suit them.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

KP_fan wrote:finn will be like Steyn....skid it off the pitch because of his pace...and with his style and pace of bowling I am almost certain....will pick reverse swing in India.

Yes he has the pace to generate reverse swing but he is not a skiddy bowler, hes a tall bang it in bowler...very different to Steyn who lets face it is pretty special ( and short for a fast bowler). Finns test record in the sub continent is pretty poor....he took just 7 wickets in 6 innings, he took 9 in his first home test. Also effective in Aus on fast pitches. His success in England relies in seam movement as well as swing, he wont be getting that in India.
Although that is at odds with his limited overs record where hes been lethal on Asian pitches, but tests he has yet to find a way of being a wicket taking threat even against lesser batsmen than Indias.

I hope Im wrong, but tall fast bowlers general;y dont look at India as a place that will suit them.

As you say, Finn has only played three Test's in the sub continent, but i think you are being a bit harsh on him there. Two in BD, which were his first ever Test matches played and his wkts came at an ave of 44, not brilliant i admit but as stated it was his first time playing for England.

The only other time was in SL where his wkt ave was 27, much better. And for a combined ave of 36.85. Which is not too different to Anderson and nye on identical to Broad.

KP_fan wrote:

skyeman wrote:I can't believe i am saying this, but on current form maybe Finn should have a shot instead of Broad if he does not regain his pace. I think Broad will get tanked out there bowling at 80.

But i still think they will stick with Broad, he has earned it.

you think Eng will play Monty as the 4th bowler ?

He may play at some time if selected, gonna sit on the fence though until i see the squad.

Hope the talks went well yesterday between Flower and KP

Pish, no leaks yet

India 83-2. After a good attacking opening partnership of 77, India have lost their openers quickly. 178 more needed, Cheteshwar Pujara is joined by the rather out of touch Sachin Tendulkar. New Zealand's opportunity to get back into this game, another wicket here, They will be in charge.

Felt sorry for Sunil Gavaskar on commentary. Simon Doull suggested without DRS, players tend to show their bat on LBW appeals more often than not if they feel they made contact and that it may not be a very good practice. Gavaskar then said that it could be just an interpretation, the batsman might be telling the non striker that there is no run in it!. The BCCI has gagged him well and truly to the extend of projecting himself as an absolute idiot!. Perhaps feeling sorry for Sunny, Doull left it at that!.

Really cant see India being bowled out here. There would have to be some sort of major collapse for them to lose from here.

Should be very easy for India.

123-2 India at the moment, Pujara has moved on to 36 and Tendulkar on 8. But Sachin hasn't had much of the strike as yet.

Pujara hit on the helmet by Southee!. Very sharp bouncer that was. He's testing Pujara with a few short ones and Pujara isn't looking all that comfortable.

McCullum missing a stumping of Pujara, New Zealand just can't afford to miss those chances and half chances.

There is rain in the air and the players are taken off. Tendulkar was just beginning to look like his master self, couple of glorious back to back boundaries of Tim Southee and Pujara added one of his own in the same over.
India 147-2.

The rain's not heavy, but as the players are off, they won't come back unless it settles.

msp83 wrote:Felt sorry for Sunil Gavaskar on commentary. Simon Doull suggested without DRS, players tend to show their bat on LBW appeals more often than not if they feel they made contact and that it may not be a very good practice. Gavaskar then said that it could be just an interpretation, the batsman might be telling the non striker that there is no run in it!. The BCCI has gagged him well and truly to the extend of projecting himself as an absolute idiot!. Perhaps feeling sorry for Sunny, Doull left it at that!.

even without DRS the quality of umpiring has been good...in this series.

They got almost all decisions good...including one or two catches picked close to the ground...where technology has limits because the catch is between the rrames and images lack 3D perspective.

the umpires were switched on...knowing the ownership was on them and generally good.

a few odd erroneous decisions were balanced both ways........and we see few such controversial decisions even with DRS.

The series has proved the Nil impact of DRS in the scheme of things on the series otuccomes

skyeman wrote:

KP_fan wrote:the pitch is not bad.
the match going to the most likely script so far......
lead will be about 250ish......
Gambhir will get a big 50...sehwag anotehr dashing 40odd...
tendulkar a not out 50 and India should get home by 6 to 7 wkts.....

perfect preparartions for India for the rest of the season

Agreed, if they can see off Southee with the new ball.

Well Gambhir did not get a BIG 50...but he got going and gave a foundation.
Sehwag made his ubiqutious and obligators 40 odd
Hope the rest of the game fgoes per the script and Tendulkar can close this out with a not out inning...and caps a perfect practise series for India

KP_fan wrote:

msp83 wrote:Felt sorry for Sunil Gavaskar on commentary. Simon Doull suggested without DRS, players tend to show their bat on LBW appeals more often than not if they feel they made contact and that it may not be a very good practice. Gavaskar then said that it could be just an interpretation, the batsman might be telling the non striker that there is no run in it!. The BCCI has gagged him well and truly to the extend of projecting himself as an absolute idiot!. Perhaps feeling sorry for Sunny, Doull left it at that!.

even without DRS the quality of umpiring has been good...in this series.

They got almost all decisions good...including one or two catches picked close to the ground...where technology has limits because the catch is between the rrames and images lack 3D perspective.

the umpires were switched on...knowing the ownership was on them and generally good.

a few odd erroneous decisions were balanced both ways........and we see few such controversial decisions even with DRS.

The series has proved the Nil impact of DRS in the scheme of things on the series otuccomes

I think I have to disagree with your position on DRS there, but that debate has been ongoing for ages. But the point I was trying to make was a different one, how even a strongly opinionated cricketer like Sunil Gavaskar is reduced to nothingness due to the kind of commitments that he's involved with. Gavaskar and Shastri are disgracing themselves this way.
My respect for Sourav Ganguly just goes up a notch. They should get Nasser Hussain on commentary, that would have been funn!!.

KP_fan wrote:

msp83 wrote:Felt sorry for Sunil Gavaskar on commentary. Simon Doull suggested without DRS, players tend to show their bat on LBW appeals more often than not if they feel they made contact and that it may not be a very good practice. Gavaskar then said that it could be just an interpretation, the batsman might be telling the non striker that there is no run in it!. The BCCI has gagged him well and truly to the extend of projecting himself as an absolute idiot!. Perhaps feeling sorry for Sunny, Doull left it at that!.

even without DRS the quality of umpiring has been good...in this series.

They got almost all decisions good...including one or two catches picked close to the ground...where technology has limits because the catch is between the rrames and images lack 3D perspective.

the umpires were switched on...knowing the ownership was on them and generally good.

a few odd erroneous decisions were balanced both ways........and we see few such controversial decisions even with DRS.

The series has proved the Nil impact of DRS in the scheme of things on the series otuccomes

I have always believed that this idea of bad calls evening out at the end of the day is a stupid thing. A Sachin Tendulkar let off is very different to a Chris Martin one!. Even in this match I can remember McCullum given not out when he was an absolute goner, and that New Zealand last wicket spirited partnership was ended through a poor call.