Anyone for cricket?

[MadAsHell 4,209]

Ashwin looking dangerous, should take a bunch of wickets this series.

That's why I was happy to use Pick 22 on him.

[Little Richard 6,213]

That's why I was happy to use Pick 22 on him.

Good pick up, though he is really yet to prove himself outside the subcontinent.

[Little Richard 6,213]

Henriques has batted well today, didn't really expect him to bring much to the table but he wasn't too bad.

[Macca 16,611]

Henriques has batted well today, didn't really expect him to bring much to the table but he wasn't too bad.

Yep, excellent debut by Moises. We were in a precarious position and it's been a great fightback by the boys.

Pup is just outstanding.

N.B ... I've got to learn to post quicker - lost 2 wickets typing this - sheesh

Edited February 23, 2013 by Macca

[H_T 3,032]

Yep, excellent debut by Moises. We were in a precarious position and it's been a great fightback by the boys.

Pup is just outstanding.

N.B ... I've got to learn to post quicker - lost 2 wickets typing this - sheesh

Again. What an innings to date by the skipper. The type of innings you would hope for in India in a bit if trouble at 5/150 odd. Great support by Moises in his debut.

Was getting updates at the game tonight.

[Macca 16,611]

Again. What an innings to date by the skipper. The type of innings you would hope for in India in a bit if trouble at 5/150 odd. Great support by Moises in his debut.

Was getting updates at the game tonight.

Didn't get to see much either but heard that Clarke was in complete control again. His batting has gone into overdrive since he assumed the captaincy. Great to see.

From what little I saw, Henriques didn't look out of place and he spoke very well and succinctly after the days play. I can see him snaring a wicket or 2 when he gets the ball in hand. He's a confident young bloke!

Evenly poised but we need to get to 400+ to give ourselves a reasonable chance. Hoping that 'TD's forecast of our quicks coming through with the goods happens. Pup's spin could be handy as well (to back up Lyon) . That is of course if his back holds up.

[MadAsHell 4,209]

Didn't get to see much either but heard that Clarke was in complete control again. His batting has gone into overdrive since he assumed the captaincy. Great to see.

From what little I saw, Henriques didn't look out of place and he spoke very well and succinctly after the days play. I can see him snaring a wicket or 2 when he gets the ball in hand. He's a confident young bloke!

Evenly poised but we need to get to 400+ to give ourselves a reasonable chance. Hoping that 'TD's forecast of our quicks coming through with the goods happens. Pup's spin could be handy as well (to back up Lyon) . That is of course if his back holds up.

I'm confident they will Macca.

I remember hearing the great Viv Richards talk about how the Windies in the late 70's I think it was sent a squad over there full of spinners and got carted all over the place and it was after that first test they decided to go with their strength and play a 4 pronged pace attack instead and came out ontop. Got to play to your strength almost no mattter the conditions. If we have say 7 quicks that are better then our best spinner (which we do). Then we should play to that and use our part timers (Clarke, Warner, Maxwell if/when he debuts) to get some overs of spin in.

But a great knock and partnership by Clarke & Henriques last night. Hopefully Siddle & Pattinson can help Clarke get our total above 400 which if we do there's a very good chance we wont loose this test.

[Macca 16,611]

I'm confident they will Macca.

I remember hearing the great Viv Richards talk about how the Windies in the late 70's I think it was sent a squad over there full of spinners and got carted all over the place and it was after that first test they decided to go with their strength and play a 4 pronged pace attack instead and came out ontop. Got to play to your strength almost no mattter the conditions. If we have say 7 quicks that are better then our best spinner (which we do). Then we should play to that and use our part timers (Clarke, Warner, Maxwell if/when he debuts) to get some overs of spin in.

But a great knock and partnership by Clarke & Henriques last night. Hopefully Siddle & Pattinson can help Clarke get our total above 400 which if we do there's a very good chance we wont loose this test.

Good point re the Windies 'TD'. Suppose with Johnno and Bird waiting in the wings we can just let the quicks go for it. I wonder if they've gone through the process of working out their attack's for all the Tests? If they've done this they will need to factor in a bit of flexibility. Remembering that the 2nd Test follows on from this Test after just a 3 day break.

Looking forward to today's play. Tactically, the Tests played in India are fascinating. I don't mind 'turning' tracks at all. Brings so many other aspects of the game into play - none the least being the ability of batsmen to use their feet. Clarke looked terrific late last night with his feet movement.

Lyon has a real opportunity to make a mark in these Tests. We need him to play a part. I remember Michael Kasprovich played a strong role in 2 tours of India. Big lion hearted bowler who kept charging in - Siddle and Patto are in that mould. Starc provides good variation and has a bit of x factor.

Edited February 23, 2013 by Macca

[Sydney Pennski 292]

They say if you bat first in India then you don't get beaten often and a score of 380 at lunch on the second day looks solid.

But do we have the bowling attack to get them out twice?

[MadAsHell 4,209]

They say if you bat first in India then you don't get beaten often and a score of 380 at lunch on the second day looks solid.

But do we have the bowling attack to get them out twice?

Henriques & Lyon will be the keys there I reckon. Siddle, Pattinson & Stac should get some reverse swing in these conditions and will spear head our assault, but they'll need good support from the other two mentioned if we're going to take 20 wickets.

[MadAsHell 4,209]

James Pattinson goes bang! And Vijay's stumps go flying for 10, India 1/11 in the 4th over.

Love seeing Patto back, can't wait for the day that our three quicks in the team at the same time are Pattinson, Starc and Cummins!

[Macca 16,611]

Henriques & Lyon will be the keys there I reckon. Siddle, Pattinson & Stac should get some reverse swing in these conditions and will spear head our assault, but they'll need good support from the other two mentioned if we're going to take 20 wickets.

Big Patto gets things going ... good pace

Need to get Sehwag early.

[45HG 1,539]

Bang! Strikes again.

A lot of luck (to say the least!!!) but still a good ball. Bizarre dismissal, really.

[MadAsHell 4,209]

Bang! Strikes again.

A lot of luck (to say the least!!!) but still a good ball. Bizarre dismissal, really.

It's Sehwag so I'll take it anway it comes.

He's a wicket taker Pattinson!

[Biffen 12,824]

It's Sehwag so I'll take it anway it comes.

He's a wicket taker Pattinson!

Thats my boy!

Warner going well too.

Ishant Sharma not so good.

[Macca 16,611]

Thats my boy!

Warner going well too.

Ishant Sharma not so good.

Pup's handling your bloke well.

Keeping the big gun fresh . Patto bowls his 3rd victim.

[45HG 1,539]

When you're forced to follow-on, the last thing you want is to lose a wicket first ball of the innings!

[Macca 16,611]

Interesting words from Pattinson overnight. I have no real issue with what he said.(though he wouldn't want to do it all the time) He's an aggressive, young fast bowler who is just speaking his mind. In another article he mentioned that he wanted to bowl more (yesterday). For what it's worth, I like the way that Clarke is keeping Pattinson fresh. It's no good having all your bowlers spent as the innings progresses. These Test matches in India are nearly always 'marathon affairs'.

... Should have bounced Sachin, says Pattinson

[titan_uranus 24,595]

We really need to get one of these two out early (preferably Tendulkar). Their tail starts now, pretty much. Jadeja, Dhoni and Ashwin are the next three, they're all 'all-rounders'. They can all bat a bit, but none are proper batsmen. I'll feel a lot better once we take one more wicket.

[Macca 16,611]

We really need to get one of these two out early (preferably Tendulkar). Their tail starts now, pretty much. Jadeja, Dhoni and Ashwin are the next three, they're all 'all-rounders'. They can all bat a bit, but none are proper batsmen. I'll feel a lot better once we take one more wicket.

This track is stone dead. Although you wouldn't want to be facing any sort of bowling on this pitch when the match gets into it's 5th day. Ball is grubbing a bit. The ball is barely reaching Wade on the full from the quicks.

Clarke's bowling could be handy today and Lyon needs to get amongst it. As ya said, we just need one wicket.

Edit : we got that wicket but it's been India's session so far.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Macca

[titan_uranus 24,595]

Lyon chipping in nicely with Tendulkar and Kohil. Timely wicket of Kohli, too. Still in front by 56, with a chance to knock off the tail hopefully and not be too far behind.

[Macca 16,611]

Now we're gonna have to bat to save the game.

6 lefties in the top 6. Ashwin and Harby will be itching to get at us.

This has been some sort of knock from Dhoni

[gsmith12 491]

Now we're gonna have to bat to save the game.

6 lefties in the top 6. Ashwin and Harby will be itching to get at us.

This has been some sort of knock from Dhoni

Top class innings form Dhoni no doubt.

On the other hand how poor has Lyon been leaking 5 runs an over on a dust bowl - woeful.

[Macca 16,611]

Top class innings form Dhoni no doubt.

On the other hand how poor has Lyon been leaking 5 runs an over on a dust bowl - woeful.

Yep, I reckon we can expect 3 more tracks like the one we're playing on. I know it's patently obvious but their strength is their spin bowling and their batsman's ability to play spin.

Our weaknesses are the opposite of their strengths. We don't play spin all that well and our spin bowling is not good. It's gonna be a tough tour. We might have to play Doherty in the next Tests - I wish him well if that's the case.

As pointed out by Gavaskar and Shastri - Lyon bowled too short. Their batsmen just picked him off down backward of square on a constant basis. He wasn't able to keep their batsmen on strike. Hopefully he'll learn a lot from today.

Warnie's up in the commentary box - maybe they can ask him if he brought his 'whites'

[H_T 3,032]

Top class innings form Dhoni no doubt.

On the other hand how poor has Lyon been leaking 5 runs an over on a dust bowl - woeful.

I was really disappointed with his bowling late to Dhoni, when Dhoni was closing in on the double century. Giving him that much room outside off and a little too short. Money for jam for Dhoni to play it backward of point or down to 3rd man. Leaking runs.