titan_uranus

I have to agree about Ponting. I don't think he is a great communicator, mainly because he hasn't had to communicate negative things in his tenure as skipper. I think he is a bit arrogant and stubborn at times, which impacts on his ability to both bat and captain. Which is quite sad because White's bowling was better than his batting in Mohali. I'd be happier with White if he could score some damn runs.

You make good observations HT. However, I challenge you to name a 'quality' spinner in Australia. We don't have one. We have players like Casson, Krejza, Cullen etc. who are just average to good first class players, but who, IMO, wouldn't get close to cutting it at Test level. It is a problem that I think we will have to deal with for some time until a youngster whom we've never heard of becomes our next spinner. In terms of pace bowling, I think I've read that we're struggling to swing the SG balls used in India (as opposed to Kookaburra here). FFS, we have Troy Cooley employed as a 'bowling coach': how didn't we prepare for bowling in Indian conditions? We absolutely have to study what the Indians do to and with the ball so that we can apply the same techniques. They're getting it to reverse within 15 overs, which is killing us. And as for the batting: we miss Symonds, Gilchrist and Warne at 6, 7 and 8. Now we have Watson (who's had 1 good innings), Haddin (same as Watson) and White (can't bat at test level). They're just not good enough, especially when India have Ganguly, Dhoni and Harbhajan at those positions. With a better middle-lower order, the top order wouldn't feel as pressured.

5/9 is woeful. Hayden's was a poor shot considering it was the last over before tea. Katich's, being the last ball before tea, was worse. Hussey's was incredibly poor, especially for someone like Hussey. If Clarke and Haddin are still there at lunch, then maybe we're a chance (to draw).

Here we go again. Sehwag seemingly edges behind, Haddin sure of it, Johnson too, yet Asad Rauf gives nothing. Radio, cricinfo and TV all suggest it was out. Now let begin the debate over TV referrals (which I believe will be present in the Australian home series). Edit: Ha! And to add to our frustration, Siddle then gets Sehwag plumb in front, but it was a no ball.

Wow. I haven't seen Australia get pummeled like this for many years. 6/150, still 319 runs behind. This innings has exposed our bowlers. India's have gotten something out of the pitch, when ours couldn't get anything.

Would have completely changed the complexion of this game. Dhoni comes in at 5/236, he wouldn't feel like hitting the big shots, maybe we pick him up too, then all of a sudden that's about 160 runs off their current total. I guess Rudi would have seen his foot being behind the line, but still, he should have referred. At 4/102, we don't even look likely of passing the follow-on target (though anythings possible with Hussey still there). If we have to follow-on, possibly by the end of today, we'll lose.

I was just reading Cricinfo, and I saw that Ganguly, who is 54 not out at the moment, was OUT (has been confirmed through replays) stumped when he was 35 off Cameron White, but the umpires didn't refer it to the 3rd umpire. How unfortunate for White, and, more importantly, for the Aussies.

I got so confused last night. At about 9pm I tuned into ABC for an update, and they were wrapping up from the stadium, and crossed to news, then some other program. So I thought the match had been finished. But then I find out they kept on going, and there was no commentary from the ABC (which I love listening to by the way). Anyhoo, I'd say we're the definite losers out of that draw. Our lack of a frontline spinner = not good for Indian tours. White and Clarke didn't really bother any of the batsmen. As for Kumble, I think he'll give it one more shot (if he can). He's a bit stubborn and probably wouldn't want to finish on a match like that.

India's 2/41 at lunch on Day 5. We need 8 wickets, they need 258 runs. Draw's still favourite, but if we can get Tendulkar out early on in this session, we're still a good chance.

5/333 at lunch. Hussey 92. He is so damn unflappable. I think our run rate is going to hurt us, especially if Harbhajan keeps bowling negatively outside leg stump. 1.5 days in, I reckon Ponting would like a few more on the board. With no Gilchrist or Symonds to smash it, maybe White will show us some fireworks.

Return of cricket today with the first day of the first test of the Bordar-Gavaskar trophy. This should be a cracking series. I think India will win it too. Cameron White makes his debut, representing Victoria. Ponting won the toss, elected to bat. Zaheer Khan bowled the first over, and had Hayden caught behind third ball. Replays suggest the noise was bat on pad, not bat on ball. Currently 1/7 in the 7th over, Ponting on 6, Katich on 1.

I think there are serious 'travel fears' associated with Pakistan that do not exist in India at all. The situations in those 2 countries are vastly different, so I take Symonds' side on that one. As for whether he'll play again, that's up to him I guess. I reckon he will, because if he doesn't, he'll lose out on all the sponsorship deals he would otherwise get.