Australia vs India, Boxing Day Test, Day 4
Typically, my predictions for the Boxing Day Test have been wildly astray. I predicted India would notch 250 on Day 2 without much loss - they were all out for 190. I then predicted Australia would bat through to Day 4 before declaring - they declared late Day 3 (a welcome surprise). Pity Australia couldn't take any wickets before stumps although Brad Hogg did have a plumb LBW shout turned down in the last over.
So how will Day 4 unfold? This could go two ways. More likely is India collapse under the pressure of relentless Australian bowling, delivering Australia's 15th consecutive Test victory. Less likely is their batting stars could hold us at bay, a la Dravid and Laxman who batted through an entire day in 2001 to break Steve Waugh's 16 match winning streak. While a target of 499 on a crumbling 4th day pitch seems impossible, so too was an Indian victory after following on in Eden Gardens. So I'll temporarily put aside my preference for Tests going the full five days and hope for quick wickets today!
Live score here
| Posted by JC on Sat 29 Dec |  17 comments |
Good session for India, Dravid and Laxman batted through until Dravid fell in the last over before lunch. 2 down, 8 to go. Laxman and Tendulkar batting after lunch should be a tough partnership to break.
Posted by JC on 2007-12-29 12:36:34
Posted by JC on 2007-12-29 12:36:34
AGAIN!!!!!They are playing for the break.Yes they are tired,but fatigue plays in the mind of the aussies also and i dont see any of them slackening.Just sickening to see wickets fall like that before the break.Dravid plays 40 odd balls and then looses his marbles towards the end of the innings.And just after lunch lee MADE sachin lose his marbles.The worst shot possible(im not depriving lee of any credit)in the book.Yesterday it was yuvraj and dhoni today sachin and dravid.
If the feel overworked playing one session(they got to play 5 more)and if they grumble about the pitch the sun and nonsense like that the batsman have got to hand their boots and go home cause the series is lost in the first session of the 4th day in the 1st test match.
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 14:09:01
If the feel overworked playing one session(they got to play 5 more)and if they grumble about the pitch the sun and nonsense like that the batsman have got to hand their boots and go home cause the series is lost in the first session of the 4th day in the 1st test match.
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 14:09:01
So Australia ultimately win by 337 runs, quite a shelacking in the end. The big difference was scoring rates - both sides batted for around 2 days each. Australia rattled off 100+ runs every session while India had trouble getting it through the field (it helps when you have guys like Symonds and Clarke patrolling the covers). I like Peter Lalor's assessment of Indian fielding:
Posted by JC on 2007-12-29 17:15:55
Anil Kumble, who may use his age and height as an excuse for the occasional blemish in this match, suffers when setting a field because of the lack of options. Sachin Tendulkar cannot throw himself about any more, nor can Dravid, nor the other "seniors" - as they are so quaintly labelled. In the first innings, the captain was forced to use the ungainly Harbhajan in the covers; in the second innings, Yuvraj.
When you consider the fact that Ricky Ponting, who is still terrier-like, steps back to let Clarke and the phenomenal Symonds prowl in front of the wicket, you understand the difference between the two sides in the field.
This gap was never highlighted more sharply than in a number of meetings on hard, abrasive Indian surfaces during their recent one-day series. At times, the Australians grazed across the surface on chest and chin in desperate attempts to save a fraction here or a decimal point there. If the Indians did the same, it was probably because they tripped in pursuit of the ball.
Posted by JC on 2007-12-29 17:15:55
Yes it was really a disappointing effort from india. I dont know why they are playing so defensively. Dravids innings was really horrible dont know what was going through his mind how long u can survive if u play like this still i cant see anything special in aussie attack except lee. Yuvrajs dismissal was again unlucky i think only ganguly was batting with some purpose out there jaffer and dhoni were looking very ordinary i dont think they will be able survive any test with this approach.
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-29 17:48:56
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-29 17:48:56
lookinf ahead if the visitors do a wise decision for a change by bringing in the hard hitting sehwag whom would u drop?
yubraj!!DUH!!!
Yuvraj's dismissal is in no way "UNLUCKY".
In the first innings most would say he dint nick one to the keeper but the over before that he looped a bat-pad to the aussies captain which was turned down(hogg was the bowler)
In the second innings,yuvraj's dismissal was ATROCIOUS.Both Rahul and yuvraj's dismissals was a case of rotten judgment.In a pitch like this one where else should a sane man play the ball other than in the front foot? You might get a away a few times but both rahul,yuvi and even dada had themselves to blame.
Actually it was a blunder taking yuvraj in the first test.Lets face it how many of us here feel yuvraj can flourish as a test player.Hes the kinda player who can get bossy in test matches when your playing on a dead pitch with average bowlers bowling at you.On the field he looked lousy.On a fast outfield the ball is skidding to you then he makes spectacular diving says.here the ball doest reach you.YOU have to attack the ball put pressure on the batsman.Most of the time i see him ambling towards the ball that just went past him.I dont think he did a mighty bit on the field nor did he do anything with the running between the wickets.
Sehwag is a very good sprinter and coordinates very well with the non striker to rotate the strike and make the scorer work.With harbhajan bowling quick off-cutter's an alternative option in sehwag will do a lot of help for the captian
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 18:43:43
yubraj!!DUH!!!
Yuvraj's dismissal is in no way "UNLUCKY".
In the first innings most would say he dint nick one to the keeper but the over before that he looped a bat-pad to the aussies captain which was turned down(hogg was the bowler)
In the second innings,yuvraj's dismissal was ATROCIOUS.Both Rahul and yuvraj's dismissals was a case of rotten judgment.In a pitch like this one where else should a sane man play the ball other than in the front foot? You might get a away a few times but both rahul,yuvi and even dada had themselves to blame.
Actually it was a blunder taking yuvraj in the first test.Lets face it how many of us here feel yuvraj can flourish as a test player.Hes the kinda player who can get bossy in test matches when your playing on a dead pitch with average bowlers bowling at you.On the field he looked lousy.On a fast outfield the ball is skidding to you then he makes spectacular diving says.here the ball doest reach you.YOU have to attack the ball put pressure on the batsman.Most of the time i see him ambling towards the ball that just went past him.I dont think he did a mighty bit on the field nor did he do anything with the running between the wickets.
Sehwag is a very good sprinter and coordinates very well with the non striker to rotate the strike and make the scorer work.With harbhajan bowling quick off-cutter's an alternative option in sehwag will do a lot of help for the captian
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 18:43:43
The Indian side was outplayed, outmuscled, outfielded, outcaptained.
Hard to be critical of a legend like Tendulkar but he failed to set an example today. Still trying to play like a 20 year-old and the conditions weren't right.
Hope the Symonds' knockers were watching today. He bowled beautifully in both styles and deserved better figures. And his fielding was truly brilliant.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-29 19:45:26
Hard to be critical of a legend like Tendulkar but he failed to set an example today. Still trying to play like a 20 year-old and the conditions weren't right.
Hope the Symonds' knockers were watching today. He bowled beautifully in both styles and deserved better figures. And his fielding was truly brilliant.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-29 19:45:26
No vishnu! I am totally disagree with you. Yuvraj is the only good fielder we have and he alone cant do anything. Bad fielding is something in our blood which cannot be changed. About sehwag yes i also want sehwag in playing 11 in SCG. I dont know who should be dropped but sehwag should be in as SCG is spinners paradise i think the bowling would be same in sydney. And yuvraj is definitely not a king of dead pitches he scored 139 in our last tour in SCG. And remember all his innings in durban(T20 semifinal) and many bouncy pitches. Everybody failed here look at dhoni i can remember anything special from dhoni overseas except that match saving innings in LORDS.
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-29 19:52:11
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-29 19:52:11
Reasons for India's miserable loss-
1) Poor fielding (As I'd said)
2) Poorer running between wickets (As I'd said)
3) Lack of aggressiveness (Which I said was needed)
4) Lack of application from batsmen -
Jaffer played a couple of dreadful shots, so to Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid desperately needs to get over his mental block.
This is precisely the problem with India. They never took the attack to the Aussies in the whole test match save Kumble's good spell on Day 1.
I may sound blasphemous, but I've maintained for a long time that the Indian batting lineup is still just another above average one. There is a simple reason for this - not ONCE have they performed under pressure in the 2nd innings. The last time I remember them doing well in a crunch 2nd innings situation was that historic Kolkota test.
Whereas Australia's batting has performed much more consistently and against huge pressure - Like winning 3-0 in Sri Lanka after conceding 1st innings deficits in all tests on raging turners and against Murali plus the heat, they proved their mettle and tenacity.
What India need to do to -
1)Openers must fire.
2)Batsmen must be positive. Going at less than 2 rpo consistently is just asking for trouble. If you are waiting for Australia to make mistakes, you better check which planet you're on!
The reason India did well in 2001 and 2003 was that they took the attack to Aus, but here it was all one way traffic.
Things look bleek for India and I might even consider changing my prediction. But since I've got plenty of other things right :) I'll stick with 2-0.
I really do hope India can buck up and take the fight to Aus. But unfortunately I see only one team in this, miles ahead of the other.
C'mon India, limit the damage to 2 zip, 'cause I got lots of bets riding on this!
Also a happy new year to all our friends!
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-12-29 20:59:45
1) Poor fielding (As I'd said)
2) Poorer running between wickets (As I'd said)
3) Lack of aggressiveness (Which I said was needed)
4) Lack of application from batsmen -
Jaffer played a couple of dreadful shots, so to Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid desperately needs to get over his mental block.
This is precisely the problem with India. They never took the attack to the Aussies in the whole test match save Kumble's good spell on Day 1.
I may sound blasphemous, but I've maintained for a long time that the Indian batting lineup is still just another above average one. There is a simple reason for this - not ONCE have they performed under pressure in the 2nd innings. The last time I remember them doing well in a crunch 2nd innings situation was that historic Kolkota test.
Whereas Australia's batting has performed much more consistently and against huge pressure - Like winning 3-0 in Sri Lanka after conceding 1st innings deficits in all tests on raging turners and against Murali plus the heat, they proved their mettle and tenacity.
What India need to do to -
1)Openers must fire.
2)Batsmen must be positive. Going at less than 2 rpo consistently is just asking for trouble. If you are waiting for Australia to make mistakes, you better check which planet you're on!
The reason India did well in 2001 and 2003 was that they took the attack to Aus, but here it was all one way traffic.
Things look bleek for India and I might even consider changing my prediction. But since I've got plenty of other things right :) I'll stick with 2-0.
I really do hope India can buck up and take the fight to Aus. But unfortunately I see only one team in this, miles ahead of the other.
C'mon India, limit the damage to 2 zip, 'cause I got lots of bets riding on this!
Also a happy new year to all our friends!
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-12-29 20:59:45
Ajesh- never bet on a game of cricket. There might just be others, much closer to the action than you, having far larger bets.
Dravid- he appears to be not enjoying cricket at the moment. For his sake he should be rested until he is mentally right to play. The Aussies have starved him of scoring opportunities on his legs which further restricts his fluency.
I thought some positives came out of this game for India. Bowling was good, wicketkeeping was excellent. Ganguly, Laxman and Tendulkar seem close to form. Who knows what the next two Tests will bring. Don't know what can be done about the fielding. In that respect the Aussies are infinitely superior.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-29 21:34:37
Dravid- he appears to be not enjoying cricket at the moment. For his sake he should be rested until he is mentally right to play. The Aussies have starved him of scoring opportunities on his legs which further restricts his fluency.
I thought some positives came out of this game for India. Bowling was good, wicketkeeping was excellent. Ganguly, Laxman and Tendulkar seem close to form. Who knows what the next two Tests will bring. Don't know what can be done about the fielding. In that respect the Aussies are infinitely superior.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-29 21:34:37
I think it would be better if India play with some positive frame of mind. All they need is a good opening partnership in SCG. Toss will be very important in sydney. Sehwag should be back in place of laxman,dravid or yuvraj.
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-29 22:20:44
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-29 22:20:44
hey JATINDER,i think india are playing test matches first with the t20's and LO matches coming a bit later.
Im talking about the yuvraj the test player.Nobody is denying that yuvraj is a functional LOI player.Its a totally different game when it comes to test matches.his batting and fielding performance showed the world how ordinary he can be in test matches.
And about his fielding JC posted a part of Peter Lalor article here's the other part on yuvraj
"Yuvraj Singh was, at times, totally incompetent, letting numerous balls through on the soft, slow, flat outfield.
There might be an excuse for a professional cricketer doing it once in a series, but the big-hitting Twenty20 star managed to do it on several occasions in the first session. Not that they were fast balls, mind you. Or difficult balls.
On any given Saturday morning, you will see pre-teens risk bloody noses as they place themselves in the line of fire on treacherous suburban fields.
But Yuvraj and many of his colleagues seem willing to risk only half an effort to block the ball's progress, and even then they do it with one reluctant hand.
Yuvraj appears more traffic attendant than fieldsman, posted to the expanses to make sure the ball had an unimpeded run towards the ropes. In the next life, he could make money as a lollipop man out the front of a primary school. "
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 22:25:25
Im talking about the yuvraj the test player.Nobody is denying that yuvraj is a functional LOI player.Its a totally different game when it comes to test matches.his batting and fielding performance showed the world how ordinary he can be in test matches.
And about his fielding JC posted a part of Peter Lalor article here's the other part on yuvraj
"Yuvraj Singh was, at times, totally incompetent, letting numerous balls through on the soft, slow, flat outfield.
There might be an excuse for a professional cricketer doing it once in a series, but the big-hitting Twenty20 star managed to do it on several occasions in the first session. Not that they were fast balls, mind you. Or difficult balls.
On any given Saturday morning, you will see pre-teens risk bloody noses as they place themselves in the line of fire on treacherous suburban fields.
But Yuvraj and many of his colleagues seem willing to risk only half an effort to block the ball's progress, and even then they do it with one reluctant hand.
Yuvraj appears more traffic attendant than fieldsman, posted to the expanses to make sure the ball had an unimpeded run towards the ropes. In the next life, he could make money as a lollipop man out the front of a primary school. "
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 22:25:25
One more thing JATINDER, i seem to notice your a die hard fan of yuvi but that doesn't mean you go take a pot shot at dhoni.we are talking about yuvraj here not dhoni.MS has cemented his position in the team and if im not wrong ur suggesting india DROP their VICE-CAPTAIN??
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 22:43:03
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-29 22:43:03
Dan Tas, don't know who you mean by the "Symonds knockers" :-) But I will concede he did a very good job with the ball today - both with medium pace and off spin. I'm yet to be convinced he's the best #6 but I did consider it for a moment or two today
Posted by JC on 2007-12-29 23:18:49
Posted by JC on 2007-12-29 23:18:49
Hey vishnu! See i am not here to speak in favour of yuvraj or speak against dhoni ok! Yes i am punjabi but it does not mean that i will always take the side of yuvi or bhajji ok. Now first of all why we are so obsessed by these articles written by aussies like Peter Lalor. Have u ever seen any aussie giving importance to sunny gavasker's article. Why we wanted to play like aussies we dont need anybodys suggestion we are good and smart enough to know whats right and whats wrong with our cricket. Talking about yuvraj's fielding i am sorry that after taking so many brilliant catches making spectacular saves in last 7 years you are evaluating him only on the basis of one test. And about his batting how many tests he has played so far only 21 in which he averaged 35. He recently scored 169 in a day but u will say that was a dead pitch with poor attack. And after only one test you are evaluating him again. Is any aussie is saying that ponting is not good against spinners becoz he is failed in this test. You tell me many players u know who hold the record of 6 sixes in an over and hitting a six as big as 118 meters to a bowler like brett lee in any form of the game. Answer is no even the best in the game like ponting,sachin cant even say that they can do this in any form of the game. But no yuvraj is not a good player infact he is a functional LOI player whose batting and fielding performance showed the world how ordinary he can be .............. Talking about dhoni i am one of the biggest fans of MS dhoni and he is the best wktkeeper we have i am just saying that he need improve his record overseas.
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-30 00:05:20
Posted by JATINDER on 2007-12-30 00:05:20
That's a start JC, a start.
See that wannabe number ones of Test Cricket were trounced by the West Indies overnight. Really think that the only true contenders for
for the position are our opposition right now. And they need to turn things around quick smart to avoid a shellacking.
At least we've seen how good India can be on Australian soil. Or was that an aberration?
Tip for the Aussie selectors. Keep Tait on a leash, feed him just the bare necessities until the WACA Test. If Lillee's influence there means the pitch is back to its former glory, unleash the hungry beast and witness blood, carnage and mayhem. He'll create havoc and cause injury at 160kph, no doubt.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-30 09:31:35
See that wannabe number ones of Test Cricket were trounced by the West Indies overnight. Really think that the only true contenders for
for the position are our opposition right now. And they need to turn things around quick smart to avoid a shellacking.
At least we've seen how good India can be on Australian soil. Or was that an aberration?
Tip for the Aussie selectors. Keep Tait on a leash, feed him just the bare necessities until the WACA Test. If Lillee's influence there means the pitch is back to its former glory, unleash the hungry beast and witness blood, carnage and mayhem. He'll create havoc and cause injury at 160kph, no doubt.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-30 09:31:35
I'd love to see Tait and Lee at the WACA. Surely the selectors could break their conservatism for that, couldn't they?
Posted by MT on 2007-12-30 20:30:56
Posted by MT on 2007-12-30 20:30:56
Hopefully with a little match practice - ie. the debacle in Melbourne - the Indians can turn things around in Sydney. Realistically though - are we really to believe that Australia will drop a test on home soil this series? 25 tests without a loss...i dont know. If the Indian top-order can fire, then we may at least see a draw..
Posted by OSN on 2007-12-30 21:29:16
Posted by OSN on 2007-12-30 21:29:16
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