India v Australia, Third Test, Chandigarh

by **Pal Joey** Thu 31 Jan 2013, 1:45 am

First topic message reminder :

1st Test
Fri Feb 22 - Tue Feb 26
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

2nd Test
Sat Mar 2 - Wed Mar 6
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad

3rd Test
Thu Mar 14 - Mon Mar 18
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh

4th Test
Fri Mar 22 - Tue Mar 26
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

India:
Shikhar Dhawan, Murli Vijay, Virender Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, M S Dhoni (c),
Rabindra Jadeja, Bhubhneshwar Kumar, Ravi Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Ashoke Dinda

Australia:
Michael Clarke (c), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell,
Moises Henriques, Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird

by msp83 Sat 02 Mar 2013, 11:09 am

5 without loss at the end of day 1 India.
India's day.

by Duty281 Sat 02 Mar 2013, 12:05 pm

Some positivity at least by Clarke, but it didn't pay off. Australia right in the mire again.

by msp83 Sat 02 Mar 2013, 12:20 pm

India have to look to bat big in their first innings. This wasn't a 237-9 track. The Indian bowlers bowled well, Kumar got the ball to move just a little bit, Ashwin bowled really well in his first spell, Jadeja was as accurate as ever. But this track didn't have as much for the spinners as it was the case at Chennai on day one. The quicker bowlers consistently got the ball to swing a bit, and reverse also came into play. But Shane Watson isn't slated to bowl, and Mitchell Starc is dropped. Starc was the best bet with the swinging ball, and Watson could reverse it well.
Pattinson again will have to carry much of the bowling responsibilities.
The Indian openers did a decent job going by their recent form by surviving to the end of the mini session. I wouldn't have been surprised if Ishant Sharma hat to come in as nightwatchman for at least 1 over. The middle order has a job to do tomorrow. Hopefully Sehwag will have one of his days tomorrow, and Vijay would also find some runs.

by **Biltong** Sat 02 Mar 2013, 12:24 pm

Clarke must think at times it is him alone against the opposition.

by Guest Sat 02 Mar 2013, 1:56 pm

stunned that Lyon was dropped....and that both Maxwell and Doherty were included!

by ShankyCricket Sat 02 Mar 2013, 6:36 pm

msp83 wrote:As for India, the important question is regarding Pragyan Ojha. Its his home ground, and in India's previous series, he was the side's top wicket taker. Will he get to play before his home crowd?
People say a lot of things about Ravindra Jadeja, that he's too bits-and-pieces......... But Jadeja has taken 8 wickets from the 2 tests he played and has gone at an economy rate of under 2 having bowled close to 150 overs. His batting hasn't delivered, but he can certainly bat and he's terrific in the field.
As Dhoni said, including him as the all-rounder provides the team with good balance, Dhoni can call upon the services of 2 seam bowlers if needed, and there would be 3 decent spin options. Playing 4 spinners might just prove counterproductive.
So if Ojha has to play, it has to be in place of Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan was just OK in the last test. But considering his past record, as well as the presence of many lefties in the Australian lineup Harbhajan might get another chance. Tough on Ojha, and I would say lucky for Harbhajan, but that's how things stand now, and if Harbhajan doesn't deliver significant performences soon, this would be the last test series he would play for India.
The opening combination is another problem area, but I expect both Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay to get another chance, any change would happen after this game. Another poor performance might see Sehwag getting dropped.

I've seen nothing to suggest that Jadeja can "certainly" bat against genuine pace at international level. He's a good domestic batsman, no doubt. He's bowled well but if he is to get into the team, he has to get in as a poor bowler IMO as I don't see him as a Test match number 7, let alone number 6. If he's one of the top 4 bowlers in the country, fair enough. I don't think he is although he's not too far off.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 4:12 am

Jadeja averages 30 in ODIs. Not spectacular, but not bad either. He has shown good temprament with the bat at the domestic level, I think with his domestic performances at the first class level, and his decent ODI performances, he has earned the right to get a run in the side, and in the 3 matches he has played so far including this one, he hasn't let the captain down, particularly with the ball.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 4:24 am

Sehwag's gone, Siddle gets the breakthrough for Australia. Caught behind for 6. India 17-1.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 4:26 am

Third failure for Sehwag in the series, the team for the next 2 matches will be selected at the end of this match. Will he get another chance to redeem himself? Will the selectors and team management give him another go?
All significant questions at this stage.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 4:54 am

Pattinson bowling 4 overs today. Henriques replacing him. Siddle has bowled 6 overs so far in his first spell of the day.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:04 am

After 1 hour of play today, India are 31-1. Almost on expected lines, Sehwag didn't stay around for long. But Vijay has batted for more than an hour now, and weathered the opening burst from Pattinson. Siddle should also be off the attack sooner rather than later, and now its up to him to make this start count. Pujara, after having started his innings with a boundary of the first ball, has also been rather subdued since then but has looked comfortable enough at the crease.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:10 am

Henriques hasn't conceded a run in his 3 overs so far.
Now Pattinson is brought back from the end where Siddle was bowling his long spell.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:29 am

Spin on, and Doherty starts with a full toss.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:31 am

By the way India have avoided the follow-on after that declaration from captain Clarke!.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:43 am

Just 20 minutes to go to lunch, and India have just scored 35 runs in this session so far. Now there is a direct hit from Warner, Pujara has just made it.
But this is the problem if you get stuck, a wicket or 2, then you are in trouble, you'd be 3 down for next to nothing after batting for 2 hours.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:46 am

Pujara is not looking hundred % here, he has had a history of knee problems, and he has been struggling a bit while running between the wicket.
Pattinson's back for his 3rd spell of the day, just before lunch, good move from Clarke.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:49 am

Henriques has gone for 3 runs in 7 overs. Well and truly keeping to his brief, absolutely holding one end up.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 5:50 am

Vijay has been leaving as much as possible, he's 21 of 91 balls.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 6:03 am

54-1 at lunch.
Have to say an even session. India just lost the one wicket, but Australia didn't let them run away with it, India scored under 2 runs an over.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 7:33 am

50 for Murali Vijay, brings it up in style, smashing Doherty for 6, and that also brings up India's hundred.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 7:34 am

Vijay has played well here, he took his time in the first session, and now is turning it on. But his job has only begun, he has to make this start count, unlike the man who he replaced at the top, Gautam Gambhir.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 7:41 am

India added 49 in the entire first session, the first hour of the next session brings 51. The earlier hartdwork coming in handy for Vijay and Pujara.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 7:51 am

Glenn Maxwell with his first over in test cricket.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 8:03 am

Pujara gets his 50, and the hundred partnership's up as well. India 120-1.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sun 03 Mar 2013, 8:28 am

Jeez its pretty apparent that we were right. Aus appear to have got their selections badly wrong with some muddled thinking here. Maxwell is their Patel, and Doherty not test class at all.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 9:04 am

India starting the 3rd session at 160-1. Both Vijay and Pujara batting on 73 each.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 9:37 am

Test hundred 4 for Cheteshwar Pujara!.

by Guest Sun 03 Mar 2013, 9:42 am

Performance of Doherty and Maxwell showing that the team selection from the aussies was baffling for this game!

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 9:55 am

2nd test hundred for Murali Vijay!. India 234-1.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 9:56 am

India 240-1, leading by 3.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 9:59 am

250 up now, Pujara loving the parttime offerings from David Warner. 14 of his over.

by Duty281 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:01 am

The more India dominate, the better England look as a result.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:07 am

The only justification for picking Doherty would be that they wanted a left arm/right arm spin combination to give them options and mix it up. Thing is Clarke has a better bowling record in first class and tests than Doherty does, and Lyon is clearly head and shoulders above them all.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:16 am

Pattinson and Siddle are back with the new ball, looks like the last chance for Australia.

by alfie Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:27 am

Starting to look like a long hot ( Indian) summer for Australia Sad

Shuffled the deck chairs in the bowling attack but they cannot start to be competitive in this series unless they can bat BIG and with only Clarke up to it this won't happen.

How they miss Hussey !

by alfie Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:38 am

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:The only justification for picking Doherty would be that they wanted a left arm/right arm spin combination to give them options and mix it up. Thing is Clarke has a better bowling record in first class and tests than Doherty does, and Lyon is clearly head and shoulders above them all.

Cannot understand exchanging Maxwell for Lyon. Two contrasting spinners , however limited , is a fair strategy but why dump the one spinner with any Test experience and some results ? Having two bob each way , the theory that Maxwell can lengthen the batting ? Did no good...
Truth is it probably wouldn't make a lot of difference who they pick : I think India at home have them covered ; but it shows muddled thinking from the Australian selectors , and is not helping the rebuilding of the team. I have a lot of sympathy for Clarke who must feel the weight of the continent on his shoulders , but his part in the selections deserves some censure.

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:42 am

Pujara brings up his 150, Hooks away for 6 to reach there!.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:48 am

Thing is Alfie its hardly as if the Indian batting lineup is any stronger.
Sehwag seems utterly shot now, Vijay has an atrocious record, Tendulkar hasnt had a century in over 2 years of tests, jadeja is not really a test 6. dohnis ridiculous innings in the last test was his first century in over 3 years.
If the Aussie bowling was up to it on these wickets they wouldnt need to rack up big scores. Obviously 237 is too low for pretty much any conditions, and theres big holes in top order with Cowan and Hughes really failing to establish themselves as forces....but this side is loaded with batting right down the tail at the expense of better bowlers.
England only made one really big score (523) and that game was won by a large margin. These are not 500 pitches like the classic Indian pancakes.
But yes Aus need to improve in all departments form this showing, theres not an obvious magic wand to solve that. I simply cannot comprehend that they could think of picking Doherty for the next test unless he suddenly produces something remarkable here.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:53 am

alfie wrote:
Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:The only justification for picking Doherty would be that they wanted a left arm/right arm spin combination to give them options and mix it up. Thing is Clarke has a better bowling record in first class and tests than Doherty does, and Lyon is clearly head and shoulders above them all.

Cannot understand exchanging Maxwell for Lyon. Two contrasting spinners , however limited , is a fair strategy but why dump the one spinner with any Test experience and some results ? Having two bob each way , the theory that Maxwell can lengthen the batting ? Did no good...
Truth is it probably wouldn't make a lot of difference who they pick : I think India at home have them covered ; but it shows muddled thinking from the Australian selectors , and is not helping the rebuilding of the team. I have a lot of sympathy for Clarke who must feel the weight of the continent on his shoulders , but his part in the selections deserves some censure.

Agreed. Theyve had trouble with selections, especially spinners, for some years now in trying to pick a vaguely balanced side. Its worth remembering that the Saffers came here and just picked their best players...in a won series.
As you say it was always likely that Aus would struggle in this series, they dont have the quality batsmen that SA do or Englands spinners, but you cant help feel theyve made things harder for themselves with muddled thinking.
Clarke deserves credit for leading from the front, but you can see why they were keen for Ponting to hang around for so long. As India have found too replacing these legendary batsmen is not easy

by Duty281 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 10:56 am

Personally, I can't wait to see whether Pujara can bat like this outside of the subcontinent. Since his recall to the Test team in August 2012, he's only batted in India.

by alfie Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:04 am

Well the Australian batting is pretty ordinary really.
But these pitches , especially early in the matches , are far from unplayable and when you win the toss you must cash in...
No combination of the bowlers Australia have on tour will be particularly menacing in these conditions. I would actually like to try Johnson in there but am not sure who he replaces as I do think they need the two different spinners.
In a way Henriques has messed them up by making runs in Chennai : he is only a "holding" bowler , yet is not quite good enough to bat in the top six. So to play Johnson the honest Siddle must be jettisoned...
My real beef is with the Maxwell selection. Reminds me of England including Chris Cowdrey as one of four bowlers against West Indies in the Year of the Five Captains...

by msp83 Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:09 am

India 311-1 at stumps. Cheteshwar Pujara batting 162, Murali Vijay batting 129. Their partnership is now 294. The day produced 306-1. Utterly dominent performance from the 2 Indian batsmen.

by alfie Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:17 am

Indeed , msp

I mustn't get too caught up in moaning about Australia's deficiencies...much credit is due to these two Indian batsmen clap

Well played ...we knew Pujara was class but Vijay was under a lot of pressure and has come through well...all the pressure now on Sehwag ?

This looks like an innings win for India , the only issue being how long it takes...

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:17 am

alfie wrote:Well the Australian batting is pretty ordinary really.
But these pitches , especially early in the matches , are far from unplayable and when you win the toss you must cash in...
No combination of the bowlers Australia have on tour will be particularly menacing in these conditions. I would actually like to try Johnson in there but am not sure who he replaces as I do think they need the two different spinners.
In a way Henriques has messed them up by making runs in Chennai : he is only a "holding" bowler , yet is not quite good enough to bat in the top six. So to play Johnson the honest Siddle must be jettisoned...
My real beef is with the Maxwell selection. Reminds me of England including Chris Cowdrey as one of four bowlers against West Indies in the Year of the Five Captains...

Yep agree with all that. Maxwell is very much like england picking Patel in the first test of their series, cant bat cant bowl fudge to try and meet the need for two spinners whilst not trusting they can actually do the job and looking at the batting depth...rather than starting with "which players are good enough at this level in these conditions" and building a side form there.

by **Pal Joey** Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:22 am

So when do you think India will declare, msp? 650?

Another embarrassing day's play for Australia. I'm just as flabbergasted as everyone else as to the reasoning behind the selection.
So many players are not pulling their weight (or simply incapable) in the batting department and from what I saw - our bowlers look tired... as you would... getting dispatched to all parts all day long. Makes our 1st innings effort look even worse than it was.

Well done Pujara and Vijay.
They certainly are enjoying themselves out in the middle. Personally, I'd like to see Cheteshwar get a big 200. Wink

by alfie Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:31 am

Should think India will look to have Australia batting again late tomorrow ? Might be 350-400 ahead by then...

I rather fear Pattinson and Siddle may both be knackered by the time this game is over ...with Bird flown home might be time to fly someone else over for the Third Test Rolling Eyes

by Guest Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:35 am

Doherty and Maxwell aren't test standard at all....

Lyon will come straight back in for the 3rd test....also why didn't Michael Clarke bowl himself?!

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:39 am

The bowlers shouldnt be that tired. They have 3 front line seamers, two spinners and support available from Warner and Clarke (Watson is unable to bowl currently?)
None of them bowled an excessive load today, if they are struggling now the India really could make hay tomorrow afternoon.

Who else is there to bring out? Would you not use Johnson first and/or give Starc another go?

by Guest Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:42 am

Lyon needs to get back in peter! He didn't bowl that bad in first test..

and im sorry but whoever made that decision to pick Doherty and Maxwell need shooting!!!! Worst test spinners I have seen for quite some time!

by Guest Sun 03 Mar 2013, 11:47 am

also talking about spinners...

Ojha's perfumed incredibly well in recent times, and im not sure what Harbajhan's done to get into the side over him?!

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