Finn Doubtful for Nagpur

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-england-2012/content/current/story/596839.html

This would be a hammer blow if he's out of the 4th test. Finn didn't take part in training today and Broad is already out. Cricinfo seems to think that Bresnan is the likely replacement - I'd much prefer it if it was Onions. Still, we only need to draw this test.

Heard this on the radio this morning. We have to assume he isn't going to play, not practicing the day before the match seems too risky for one of 2 seamers.

I hope we go with Onions. If its Bresnan it will look like we are picking extra batting to play for a draw. Pretty sure there will be a result in this one so we need the better bowler here.

Seems there is no watter available around Nagpur these days!!. A good result pitch is more likely in that case. It is very unfortunate if Finn's ruled out, but India won't mind that at all, not one bit!.

msp - what kind of pitch are you expecting? Similar to 2nd Test?

So Onions or Bresnan then. Much of muchness for me. Onions was ineffective during the warm-ups, Bresnan in the 1st Test. They could be really brave and go for Meaker (is he still there?) but unlikely I reckon. More of a like for like from what I'm hearing.

Meaker is with the performance squad so would have to travel today. Not ideal the day before making your Test debut so that option is looking unlikely.

I have a horrible feeling it will be Bresnan.

VTR wrote:msp - what kind of pitch are you expecting? Similar to 2nd Test?

Hopefully so, VTR. That was a pretty good pitch.

I still think that kind of pitch gives India their best chance. Ok it didn't work out in the 2nd Test, but if Cook goes early for once (which must happen eventually!) then it could be a real struggle for England.

That kind of pitch would put up a stiff challenge for the pampered the lot, the batsmen!. Also gives India their best chance, well that didn't work out last time because Alastair as usual torchered them and Kev the genius chose to take the opportunity to play one of his special knocks. Besides, the earlier dominance that India had over spin is slowly slipping away.
On a flat pitch India have no chance, on a good spinning wicket they have an equal chance.

And Finn doesn't play, then that would give a bit of a push to India's chances.

Think pitch will be flat.

I expect Onions to play. Bresnan's form has been poor, and I don't think he's really in the picture.

Shelsey93 wrote:Think pitch will be flat.

I expect Onions to play. Bresnan's form has been poor, and I don't think he's really in the picture.

Will they count on Bresnan's experience to play him ahead of Onions? I have a feeling they'll go that way.

I don't think so, unless conditions are likely to suit Bresnan.

Bresnan also isn't really a second seamer, whilst Onions is. Unless the pitch is a turner I'm going to want somebody who can bowl well with the new ball.

I hope the pitch turns from day one. India have Ravindra Jadeja who could be a pretty useful 3rd spinner, and since he's there to bat6, they can retain the 2nd pacer as well.
India can't really go for a flat pitch, they are the team behind in the series, and a flat pitch will be playing into England's hands.

Really bad luck for Finn and England. Still I remember saying before the first Test that all the fast bowlers in the squad would probably get a run at some stage...looks as if I was right , Onions' turn now...

I wouldn't be too distressed if they went back to Bresnan though. Just because he didn't bowl well in Ahmedabad I don't think he has become a no hoper overnight. They'll know how they're going from the net form I guess.

Anyway if msp is right and they roll out Mumbai 2 as a pitch it shouldn't matter much as Monty and Swann will do most of the bowling , and the second seamer will do a lot of fielding...

msp83 wrote:I hope the pitch turns from day one. India have Ravindra Jadeja who could be a pretty useful 3rd spinner, and since he's there to bat6, they can retain the 2nd pacer as well.
India can't really go for a flat pitch, they are the team behind in the series, and a flat pitch will be playing into England's hands.

I don't know. India haven't looked great on turners themselves and, to be fair, England's collapses against spin haven't usually been because the pitch has turned.

For that reason scoreboard pressure might be more important. Still questions about England batting. Cook is surely due a failure, KP - who knows?, Compton - reliant on Cook so far and still building confidence, Patel - no major contributions, Trott - a bit iffy apart from 1 knock, Bell - not at his best in Asia of late.

Im sure I read on cricinfo yesterday that the pitch looks like it could be dusty and break up quickly. If that is the case we may be arguing over the relative merits of chocolate and wax fireguards.

Hi,

sometime lurker and very occasional poster here ...

Whilst this is a terrible blow for England, I hope that this encourages the Indian team somewhat.

Personally, despite his lack lustre figures early in the tour I think that Onions is the man for this ocassion. Based upon Bressers recent apparent lack of pace (?) I would say he bowls faster, bowls wicket to wicket and makes the opposition play more. As he bowls so straight if feel he only needs a small amount of movement off the seam to cause problems. He is also a 'skiddy' bowler which I anticipate to be more problematic than Bresnan (who I see as more of a 'chin music' specialist).

I was dissapointed that Onions was not back in the side against for the last SA test (where he took 9 wickets in an innings in the concurrent county match).

Peter - I have read contradictary reports saying that there is some grass on the wicket (?) and seamers have historically done relatively well here ... although England do not have a bowler (skiddy or otherwise) in the league of Steyn who was amongst the wickets when India played SA there.

Perhaps some of our Indian contributers can comment further on this last point?

Lots of contrasting reports. Mike Atherton, who I trust highly, says looking flat.

To be honest Nagpur usually offers nothing very unusual. Quite flat, slow, little for quicks and a bit of spin as the game goes on.

A dry pitch, those are the suggestions coming on cricinfo. Sid Ravindran, while doing the Ranji blog yesterday, mentioned about the pitch not being watered of late. Anyways lets see.

Is Meaker still injured or would he get a look in as the like for like?

Meaker is in Pune with the EPP, and as such is out of the picture.

Bresnan had a long net yesterday, so he looks to be England's choice. Shame, I think he's past it since the elbow op, and about as threatening as a sloth wielding a butter knife on these pitches.

of course if the pitch is really going to assist the spinners England could do the unthinkable and pick Tredwell as a 3rd spinner (he adds the bonus of also being a very good fielder and useful with the bat)

not a fan of three spinners myself, and I think it's unlikely England will go that route, but hey, just throwing it out there.

Huge blow for England if Finn is indeed out, though as yet it's unconfirmed. I'm not too fussed about Bresnan or Onions though, don't think either will do very much here, unless it reverses (is that likely to happen msp?). If it's more like the second Test nearly all the bowling will be done by the spinners anyway. Bresnan has the advantage of adding some depth to the batting, and being a better fielder. Onions is quicker with the ball.

MFC last time when SA played here, Dale Steyn swung the ball big, particularly so with the old ball. A dry pitch can always help in a bit of reverse.