Rest of the World

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Duty281 wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Duty281 wrote:So the most likely scenario is an Australia/New Zealand final at Lord's.

There are many things wrong with the WTC - points system is convulsed and perhaps not particularly fair - but Test cricket at neutral venues is something worth getting excited about! Shame it is only one game.

Yeah, I can't personally say that I am a fan of the WTC. The points system doesn't work properly, fixtures are of unequal value and weighting, and boiling an entire test championship down to one solitary fixture to decide the winner doesn't seem right to me.

That said, I think that Australia and New Zealand are the two best test teams in the world right now and, if that is the final, it would be the right fixture. A shame, as you say, that it's only one game and not, at least, a three-game series.

The current system is a temporary fudge to get around the unforseen situation and make the best of whatever fixtures could be fulfilled.

Had it gone to plan all the teams wouldve played home and away fixtures and had equal opportunities to earn points. That hasnt been the case, but at the same time I dont think anyone can argue theres not a clear top 3 teams with England sat just behind them and the rest of the world a significant step back from that.

One off game may be a bit unfair in that the toss could well play a major part in deciding it, but its always been about providing a focused big televised event rather than genuine competition. However the remaining fixtures pan out we should end up with two teams who deserve to be in the final even if New Zealand have just played at home. A long series in a neutral country just isn't viable in the modern calendar or that interesting to anything other than the hardcore fans.

Pant still attacking and looking to go one better than he did in Sydney.

As long as Pant is in the middle it feels like India will score at the required rate.

There have 2 ties in the history of Test cricket and one of them was at the Gabba...

That's a very good fifty from Pant. For India to do this he'd have to get close to a century.

I love this intent from India. Pain must now almost be certainly looking at how not to lose this.

alfie wrote:

eirebilly wrote:This has been some test match, i have really enjoyed this.

The only thing annoying is the noise after every Nathan Lyon ball, it drives me mental. I used to hate it when they did that after every Warne ball as well.

I would love to see India chase this down, it would be a fitting end to this series.

Hit that mute button , eirebilly !  It keeps Warne quiet too

The only way to watch Australian cricket unfortunately - the comms are shocking. Like going to a Michelin star restaurant and there’s a bloke playing the recorder in the corner

Australia can't seem to stop Pant scoring. Only 69 to get, seems the Aussies are banking on wickets to check the Indian advance, because they're still attacking.

Is there the possibility of extending play if there is the chance of a result? Not sure how many overs were lost during this match.

eirebilly wrote:Is there the possibility of extending play if there is the chance of a result? Not sure how many overs were lost during this match.

Just the 15 overs, alas, unless Australia bowl more in this final hour (unlikely).

eirebilly wrote:I love this intent from India. Pain must now almost be certainly looking at how not to lose this.

Well they're still maintaining a full crew of slip catchers for the pace men so I doubt they've completely given up on the win yet - unlikely as it may seem.

69 in 15 certainly isn't out of reach. So I guess Paine sees getting a wicket (preferably a Pant) the best way of cutting them down. Have to say I'm surprised India have been able to keep up this run rate on a pitch that has definitely done a few tricks at times.

Cummins into his 21st. Perhaps the man that stands between India and success now ?

Review :

Imagine my surprise at Tim Paine doing a poor review

Some effort from Cummins this it has to be said. A marvelous bowler.

I fancy MSP and KP_F’s opinions on Agarwal won’t have improved after that...!

Agarwal gone.

A fourth wicket for Cummins.

Oh this Test match!

Well the review didn't work. Personally thought there was a noise as it passed the bat, but nowt on HotSpot/Snicko. Australia down to one review. 

Out next ball! Goodness me, the game's still alive. So delicately balanced now.

If Pant gets out, Australia will have a real chance of victory. Will he rein it in a little as a result?

No he clearly missed that. Australian players seem to be seeing things ...

But next ball he is out !

Game isn't over yet. Winviz was a bit premature writing off an Australian win ...still a bakers dozen overs left.

Do India now drop anchor?

So much pressure on Pant and there's got to be an argument that the best way to deal with that pressure is his natural game.

Two left-handers for Lyon to attack.

That 63 looks a little further away now. Huge pressure coming on the debutant Washington Sundar,

king_carlos wrote:Do India now drop anchor?

So much pressure on Pant and there's got to be an argument that the best way to deal with that pressure is his natural game.

It would appear not 

Think India have lost one too many wickets to have a proper go - even 6 an over is tough with some proper rabbits to come and Cummins holding up one end

Pant will keep pushing. He will kick himself if he gets out ... But while he keeps scoring Australia cannot go full on attack at the other end.

Cummins must be running on fumes but remains the key bowler for Australia ...if he can get one more wicket maybe his mates could do the rest .

Think the Indian win is nearly off the table as Washington doesn't look like scoring too many off Pat. But the overs are coming down now so the chances of taking five more wickets seem to be ebbing away. Will Australia be game to bowl Labuschagne for a couple to get extra overs in ? Probably not while Pant is in...

I think India may do one final push from here

Sundar with an unlikely six and four just as India's momentum seemed to be flagging. 

Cummins has done beautifully, but his tank is empty. Hazlewood needs to replace him. Australia need wickets to halt the chase, never mind the win.

Goodness, what a test match.

6 and 4 to end the Cummins over, then 4 and 4 to start Lyons over.

Simply incredible.

This would be one of the greatest test chases I've ever seen, and one of the greatest test series' wins of all time.

15 runs from Lyons over with 4 byes coming from a freak ball that hits a crack and goes like a leg break.

This has been a spectacular days cricket to finish a brilliant series.

Absolutely epic.

Two overs of mayhem has swung this around !

Just need another twenty now...five overs plus... I didn't see this coming.

Someone remove the bins from the Aussie dressing room...

Absolutely phenomenal.

15 runs from 5 overs.

Surely they get there now. Surely.

15 from 30. It's simply wickets or bust for Australia. 

Washington Sundar, if he helps pull this off, must have had one of the best test debuts.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Someone remove the bins from the Aussie dressing room...

There will be debris everywhere

Washington bowled, but only 10 needed. Maybe if they remove Pant while there's still 10 left, they might have the faintest glimmer of hope.

Duty281 wrote:15 from 30. It's simply wickets or bust for Australia. 

Washington Sundar, if he helps pull this off, must have had one of the best test debuts.

He won't be there at the end but that's a vital and rapid 22 runs to add to his first innings efforts.

Seeing the India fans at the Gabba going nuts is putting the biggest smile on my face.

6 needed. One hit will do it.

Good lord, both sides need three! The scruffiest edge will suffice for India.

Absolutely incredible. What a player Pant is.

Gill, Pujara and Pant all fantastic in their own styles.

One of the best Tests I've ever seen.

That was amazing sport. Test Cricket is the best. Well done India, especially to Gill, Pujara, Pant and Sundar. One of the greatest ever tests I've seen.

Also one of the best comebacks I've witnessed in any sport.

Too choked to say anything

Never change Rishabh, you total barmy genius

I have no words, what an amazing test and massive congrats to India.

Enjoy the moment, KP_Fan!  You must be over the moon!  

Marvellous win for India. Only one team deserved to win this series. Australia struggled after Adelaide and simply had no answer. I'm hoping they can learn from this result but it wouldn't surprise me if they persist with a similar group in South Africa. They'll have their work cut out over there for sure.

India, on the other hand, has achieved something special given all of the injuries and the 'so-called' pundits saying it would be "a bridge too far".
Well... it wasn't. The Indian team was full of self belief and certainly had the skill and determination to pull off perhaps one of their best victories ever.

Congratulations KP_Fan and msp!

I can only imagine how much stronger this outfit will be when Kohli returns. He must be so thrilled too!
All the best in the next one... against England... and I'm sure your wonderful players won't be resting on any laurels! Onwards and upwards, yes?

Wow wish I'd got up for some of that ...what a win for India. The best side for sure and richly deserved. Not much more to be said.

I bow to the local experts on Gill, he should have been in for the first test for sure. What a start to a test career!

I meant to say "struggled after Adelaide" above...
From Melbourne onward it was all India the way I saw it.

Soul Requiem wrote:Saha is far better with the gloves, Pant is ordinary to the pacemen as well as being poor to the spinners, not all that convinced his batting is up to much in test cricket either.

Another blinding bit of analysis from me there, not sure he could have proved me any more wrong. Produced two of the finest test innings you will ever see and more than deserved to see India over the line today, bravo young man.

This is one of the weakest Aussie teams I have ever seen, Smith, Cummins and Lyon are more than good enough (slight understatement) but outside of that there are issues throughout. The batting line up in flimsy to say the least and Labuschagne's (dropped FIVE times) luck will run out eventually, Warner looks gone to me, Pucovski is too fragile, Wade and Paine aren't good enough. The bowling unit as it's currently set up is not designed to go deep in the fourth innings, Hazelwood and Starc are both superb bowlers but if both are playing you need a genuine fifth option that isn't there at the moment.

The only thing India got wrong in the final three tests was Ashwin saying playing in India would be Paine’s last series...

Absolutely incredible - and with a weakened team at a venue where Australia seemed impregnable.

I can only echo what others have said in earlier posts. This has to be India's greatest series win and greatest comeback after the record low point of the first Test.

Sometimes adversity can lead to a tremendous esprit de coeur. Yes, cricket can be an individual's game, but team spirit is also important and it looks as if India has had it in abundance in these last three Tests.

Another great advert for Test cricket - and for FIVE-DAY Tests as well.

Another shockingly poor decision from me not to stay up and watch that. Incredible innings from Pant, and reading through the comments looks like even with 60 to get it would have been easy to shut up shop and take the 1-1. Credit to Gill too - not sure they can even consider going for it without his 91 at the clip he made it. Rahane in as skipper permanently?

Good luck England...

I wonder if questions will now be raised about the Aussie leadership. For me, Paine did a great job when he first took over a side that was in meltdown but he is not the right man to take the Aussies further. He does not seem cool enough to handle on field situations. I would actually pick Marnus Labuschagne if Smith wont be captain again as he has that temperament to lead a team. I would probably drop Paine altogether if I am honest.

I also do not think Justin Langer is the right coach to take the Aussies further either.

JDizzle wrote:Another shockingly poor decision from me not to stay up and watch that. Incredible innings from Pant, and reading through the comments looks like even with 60 to get it would have been easy to shut up shop and take the 1-1. Credit to Gill too - not sure they can even consider going for it without his 91 at the clip he made it. Rahane in as skipper permanently?

Good luck England...

Tactically choosing to ignore we've got to play India 9 times in the next 6-9 months

More choosing to ingest this sort of content - https://twitter.com/vitu_e/status/1351442271686848513?s=21