Australia v India Test Series 2024/25

[mighty_west]

Konstas says hi

If he wants a long test career as an opener, needs to learn

He's just not ready yet imo, he is clearly letting emotions get to him with the shots he is playing but then he is 19 with a chip on his shoulder, i reckon he'll get dropped at some stage to work on his technique and come back a better batsman, that said Marnus's shot was almost as bad, fielding practice.

[GVGjr]

This 'Let them play their natural game' approach the selectors accept is bullshit in team sports. We needed 2 batsman prepared to gut it out for 100 deliveries each and we would get the required score.

[Sedat]

Was a really poor shot but the attitude was right, the pressures of the small chase with a pitch that will produce plenty for the fast bowlers, we had to go hard early to erase what we could whilst the effects of the hard roller were in place, the first 10 overs was going to be the easiest time to bat as far as the pitch is concerned, plus it put the bowlers off their game.

Could not agree more. All test there has been a wicket ball around the corner for every batsman. Konstas wiped 1/4 of the total in the first 5 overs, he basically did what Pant did yesterday but for 15-20 less balls. It was a rubbish shot selection but the attitude was bang-on - shop early

The alternative is to do what Jadeja did and hang around without scoring and just waiting time for a wicket ball with your name on it.

Konstas does need to work on some technical flaws but he has a lot of talent and the right attitude to succeed at this level.

[The Underdog]

Jeez, Smith going from scoring his 10,000th test run in front of an adoring SCG crowd to scoring it in front of 1000 indifferent Sri Lankans is a huge disappointment for him.

[mighty_west]

This 'Let them play their natural game' approach the selectors accept is bullshit in team sports. We needed 2 batsman prepared to gut it out for 100 deliveries each and we would get the required score.

I remember one of my captains (Lenny Balcam) said to me being an opening batsman batting on some spicy pitches was to play your game, and it frees your mindset to the situation with a more positive approach, doesn't mean play silly shots but still hit it hard if there, had been and seen many players crumble just gutting it out on pitches that simply won't allow that, 100 deliveries is a lot of balls with a pitch doing plenty, on a flatter track absolutely 100%.

[mighty_west]

Could not agree more. All test there has been a wicket ball around the corner for every batsman. Konstas wiped 1/4 of the total in the first 5 overs, he basically did what Pant did yesterday but for 15-20 less balls. It was a rubbish shot selection but the attitude was bang-on - shop early

The alternative is to do what Jadeja did and hang around without scoring and just waiting time for a wicket ball with your name on it.

Konstas does need to work on some technical flaws but he has a lot of talent and the right attitude to succeed at this level.

Yep, Pant similar for India, wipe his 60 away and.............he could have got out for 5 or 6, luck is as much of a part of it as is technique and attitude.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

This game will be over by tea time with Head at the helm

[Bornadog]

This game will be over by tea time with Head at the helm

Has had a shocking series, so hope he hangs around

[The Underdog]

Has had a shocking series, so hope he hangs around

Two big 100’s and Australia’s leading run scorer?

it’s been boom or bust, but still.

[lemmon]

Was a really poor shot but the attitude was right, the pressures of the small chase with a pitch that will produce plenty for the fast bowlers, we had to go hard early to erase what we could whilst the effects of the hard roller were in place, the first 10 overs was going to be the easiest time to bat as far as the pitch is concerned, plus it put the bowlers off their game.

Attitude is one thing, shot selection is another. He was batting well, rotating the strike, putting away anything in his zone - there was no need to play one of the ugliest slogs you'll ever see when we're well on top. His eyes were spinng and he let India back into the game. Poor cricket at any level, from any batter.

[Bornadog]

Two big 100’s and Australia’s leading run scorer?

it’s been boom or bust, but still.

Leading run scorer due to the two centuries. I guess I expected more with the other innings.

No consistency throughout the series for any of the batsman

[lemmon]

This 'Let them play their natural game' approach the selectors accept is bullshit in team sports. We needed 2 batsman prepared to gut it out for 100 deliveries each and we would get the required score.

On Konstas, that's what's also bizarre - this isn't his natural game. He's a shot-maker, but he's not Virender Sehwah or a Risabh Pant and he never has played like that at the level below. I wonder if Bailey did him a disservice in saying we were looking for a more aggressive approach to Bumrah? It feels like it's got to him

There's proactive batting and then there's giving your wicket away.

[mighty_west]

Attitude is one thing, shot selection is another. He was batting well, rotating the strike, putting away anything in his zone - there was no need to play one of the ugliest slogs you'll ever see when we're well on top. His eyes were spinng and he let India back into the game. Poor cricket at any level, from any batter.

Absolutely, horrible shot as he does premeditate too many shots, he was going well until that one shot, a positive attitude doesn't mean throwing the bat at everything.

[jeemak]

Good advertisement for four day tests.

[jeemak]

Leading run scorer due to the two centuries. I guess I expected more with the other innings.

No consistency throughout the series for any of the batsman

He hasn't been great the last two tests, although he steadied us today. But, he made 89 in the second innings of the first test plus the two hundreds in tests two and three. Pretty good going for a number four.