2ND Test v's India.

[Sedat]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

I get your point but he did come in at 3/37. I know it was the 1st innings but Australia were in trouble at that point. I would say it was pretty evenly poised with India definitely having the momentum. I definitely think he had a fair bit of adversity coming in at 3/37.

On the surface I would agree with you but as the last 3 days have shown, the pitch was a batting paradise and was also very good on day 1 (rubbish batting notwithstanding). A bit like the Adelaide and Sydney tests last summer where Australia made 250 odd both times in the 1st innings but they were proven to be woefully inadequate once England had their turn to bat.

Clarke's last 13 test innings are interesting - 13, 6, 112, 151, 2, 11, 2, 139, 22, 0, 31, 1 and 329no. That's 4 big centuries sprinkled amoung 9 scores of 31 or less, 7 of which have been less than 14. That's too many low scores for my liking - he should be aiming to have no more than 2 failures every 13 innings, not 7.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

On the surface I would agree with you but as the last 3 days have shown, the pitch was a batting paradise and was also very good on day 1 (rubbish batting notwithstanding). A bit like the Adelaide and Sydney tests last summer where Australia made 250 odd both times in the 1st innings but they were proven to be woefully inadequate once England had their turn to bat.

Clarke's last 13 test innings are interesting - 13, 6, 112, 151, 2, 11, 2, 139, 22, 0, 31, 1 and 329no. That's 4 big centuries sprinkled amoung 9 scores of 31 or less, 7 of which have been less than 14. That's too many low scores for my liking - he should be aiming to have no more than 2 failures every 13 innings, not 7.

I agree you with that it is a batting paraadise but that doesn't completely eliminate pressure. Get out and you're only one wicket away from the tail (yes Haddin, I am looking at you).

Definitely agree on the feast of famine point. I remember when Watson was getting a bit of flack for not being able to make 100s (overall I know he was getting love) but outside of individual honours the difference between 99 and 100 is just a run for the team. What was so amazing about Watson's form was his ability to consistently make scores, especially awesome for an opener. Enormous respect.

[Sedat]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Definitely agree on the feast of famine point. I remember when Watson was getting a bit of flack for not being able to make 100s (overall I know he was getting love) but outside of individual honours the difference between 99 and 100 is just a run for the team. What was so amazing about Watson's form was his ability to consistently make scores, especially awesome for an opener. Enormous respect.

That is exactly what you should be striving to achieve as a batsman. That is why guys like Watson, Katich and Langer have been criminally underrated as test batsmen despite the fact that they were such consistent contributors (albeit not stand-out performers for the bulk of their careers).

Ponting this summer has also been consistent, but until this test was copping flak for his lack of 100's. You hate going out after compiling a 60-70 because you are well set, but you've done a great job for the team if you can do that most times.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

That is exactly what you should be striving to achieve as a batsman. That is why guys like Watson, Katich and Langer have been criminally underrated as test batsmen despite the fact that they were such consistent contributors (albeit not stand-out performers for the bulk of their careers).

Ponting this summer has also been consistent, but until this test was copping flak for his lack of 100's. You hate going out after compiling a 60-70 because you are well set, but you've done a great job for the team if you can do that every 2nd innings.

Sachin's series so far is another example. The vast majority of fans want him to make his 100th hundred and he is being a massive tease but IMO he has been great for them this series, especially with wickets tumbling around him all the time.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Australia can do no wrong, Clarke gets the big wicket, then Hilfenhaus bowls the ball of the summer. My god do yourself a favor and watch that delivery in slow motion.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Australia can do no wrong, Clarke gets the big wicket, then Hilfenhaus bowls the ball of the summer. My god do yourself a favor and watch that delivery in slow motion.

Hilfenhaus has really improved his bowling for this test.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Hilfenhaus has really improved his bowling for this test.

I'd say series.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

I'd say series.

yes, should say series to date.

[Sedat]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

I agree you with that it is a batting paraadise but that doesn't completely eliminate pressure. Get out and you're only one wicket away from the tail (yes Haddin, I am looking at you).

Having the opposition captain deploy a deep point and deep square leg, reduce the slips cordon and remove the bat-pad certainly helps to eliminate any perceived pressure that the scoreboard might otherwise indicate

[EasternWest]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Australia can do no wrong, Clarke gets the big wicket, then Hilfenhaus bowls the ball of the summer. My god do yourself a favor and watch that delivery in slow motion.

Holy crap that was a good ball.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Holy crap that was a good ball.

Absolute gem.

I wonder what they will do with Lyon. He has struggled in both tests, the other bowlers are dominating, Harris is quality and the next game's at the WACA. He gets a wicket as I write this!

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Absolute gem.

I wonder what they will do with Lyon. He has struggled in both tests, the other bowlers are dominating, Harris is quality and the next game's at the WACA. He gets a wicket as I write this!

It was Sharma, surely you or I could have eventually got him out?

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Lyon is just not a threat to the Indian batsman. Don't forget, they get brought up facing spin bowlers!

[Bornadog]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

Lyon is just not a threat to the Indian batsman. Don't forget, they get brought up facing spin bowlers!

The pitch didn't help him either

[Topdog]

Re: 2ND Test v's India.

The pitch didn't help him either

This was the only pitch that was supposed to help him though. I like Lyon but he is kind of pointless in this series.