Australia v India Test Series 2024/25

[jazzadogs]

He got in Kohli's head (who is in a tight race with Djokovic as the most entitled talented dickhead in world sport) and that made every ramp shot worthwhile.

Very easy to see him going out for a duck in the second innings.

[mighty_west]

I remember a lot of criticism towards a young Dave Warner playing a non-conventional style of opening batting when starting up his international career basically being a hitter being more suited to the shorter forms of the game etc, i for one quite like a contrast between opening batters and you could see the way Konstas was playing also free'd up Usman with not only taking it up to the Indian's and the best bowler in the world, but getting under their skin, huge win early from Konstas especially, and as an opening batter you don't always have to play by "the rules" of just knocking it around, going back 40 years and Greenidge and Haynes would smash boundaries off the first ball, absolutely nothing wrong with the way Konstas asserted himself imo, He has got himself to this level playing the way he does, do not change a thing and play your natural game young man!!!!!!!!

[Bornadog]

Top three all with 50 plus runs. Smith heading that way but has had a few close LBW calls with DRS saving him.

[GVGjr]

I remember a lot of criticism towards a young Dave Warner playing a non-conventional style of opening batting when starting up his international career basically being a hitter being more suited to the shorter forms of the game etc, i for one quite like a contrast between opening batters and you could see the way Konstas was playing also free'd up Usman with not only taking it up to the Indian's and the best bowler in the world, but getting under their skin, huge win early from Konstas especially, and as an opening batter you don't always have to play by "the rules" of just knocking it around, going back 40 years and Greenidge and Haynes would smash boundaries off the first ball, absolutely nothing wrong with the way Konstas asserted himself imo, He has got himself to this level playing the way he does, do not change a thing and play your natural game young man!!!!!!!!

I can remember that to but Warner wasn't playing unconventional shots like what we saw today he was batting with positive intent and power and there is a difference.
There was also a difference between Warner the limited over cricketer and the test cricketer

I like the way we have knuckled down after the fast start.
Good to see Khawaja, Marnus and Smith bat through some struggling and testing periods and even after the wicket to Marnus (after a break) we are still well placed.

[Bornadog]

What an error from Head

[mighty_west]

I can remember that to but Warner wasn't playing unconventional shots like what we saw today he was batting with positive intent and power and there is a difference.
There was also a difference between Warner the limited over cricketer and the test cricketer

I like the way we have knuckled down after the fast start.
Good to see Khawaja, Marnus and Smith bat through some struggling and testing periods and even after the wicket to Marnus (after a break) we are still well placed.

Warners switching hands to almost look like a right hander hitting them for six was very unconventional imo, and it's the way the game is being played today and more often with those reverse hits and ramp shots, it's certainly different but if a player is confident enough and practices it as much as playing a cover shot, straight drive in the nets long enough then go for it i say, it can be used as a ploy to disrupt the bowlers momentum to the point of having to them change their ways, Bumrah all of a sudden looked nothing like his dominating best, Virat needed a way to get at the young lad by bumping him (how tough of him), Head had only been our only player to take charge over Bumrah, Konstas also did the same in his debut innings and it was brilliant.

[mighty_west]

Great to see the Kookaburra Belta back in action with Carey using it nicely after Maxwell was using the new retro Kookaburra Bubble earlier in the year, hopefully the king of Symonds Harry Soloman can convince a few international players to get back into using the remodeled Symonds Super Tusker, a truly magnificent bat.

[GVGjr]

What an error from Head

Marsh went out swinging.

[Bulldogs201616]

Australia just in front. I feel like the wicket is doing enough to cause headaches.

[GVGjr]

Australia just in front. I feel like the wicket is doing enough to cause headaches.

It's a shame Carey isn't still at the crease but we are in a strong position. Really happy to Ussie, Marnus and Smith battle their way though. Marnus in particular showed some grit but it's a shame he keeps losing his wicket before and after breaks etc
Head's dismissal was disappointing but Marsh's was a real lack of concentration. We need to bat for at least most of the first session to put some pressure on their bowlers. Lets hope Smith gets another century.

[GVGjr]

Is anyone surprised by this?

Virat Kohli has dodged suspension for his sensational run-in with Australia’s teen wonder Sam Konstas on Boxing Day, with the superstar instead fined over the explosive incident.

Not only living up to the hype of his extraordinary debut circumstances, Konstas outdid expectations many times over as Australia’s top order finally fired as a collective.

But despite half-centuries from all of the Aussie top four, the hosts were unable to fully ram home their advantage as Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne both fell tamely.

Having been thrown off his rhythm by the audacious Konstas, Jasprit Bumrah proved irrepressible, firing back later in the day to remove Travis Head and Mitch Marsh in quick succession to help keep the tourists in the contest.

[Bulldogs201616]

Is anyone surprised by this?

Virat Kohli has dodged suspension for his sensational run-in with Australia’s teen wonder Sam Konstas on Boxing Day, with the superstar instead fined over the explosive incident.

Not only living up to the hype of his extraordinary debut circumstances, Konstas outdid expectations many times over as Australia’s top order finally fired as a collective.

But despite half-centuries from all of the Aussie top four, the hosts were unable to fully ram home their advantage as Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne both fell tamely.

Having been thrown off his rhythm by the audacious Konstas, Jasprit Bumrah proved irrepressible, firing back later in the day to remove Travis Head and Mitch Marsh in quick succession to help keep the tourists in the contest.

Not shocked about that India run ICC. Should be one or two games

[BontlowSzn]

I can understand the criticism of Konstas, I don't necessarily agree that it's undisciplined or risky batting though.

He's clearly comfortable playing those shots. Playing it so early was insane, but there's no fielders where the ball is going.

I liken it to when AFL players started kicking set shots around the corner. It's unconventional, it looks silly when it doesn't come off. But it's what kids are practising more and more and what they feel more comfortable doing.

If he kept playing how he played his first few balls, he would've been back in the pavilion caught behind 60 runs shy of where he ended up.

I absolutely loved it.

[GVGjr]

Off to an excellent start. Runs have been flowing

[GVGjr]

Great session for the Australians. Just one wicket fell and we made about 130 for the session. Smith is back into some good form. Cummins unlucky not to get a half century