H_T

Yes, I missed that one last night. An absolute sitter if ever there was one.

Correct. The indians wanted to unsettle him early, perhaps damage his confidence. 5/311 at stumps. Would of preferred perhaps Dhoni's wicket before stumps were drawn. Tomorrows first session is now critical if the Aussies were to make inroads for a win in this test. Tendulkar's wicket by Mitchell Johnson was a pearler, Billy Bowden made a good correct decision for lbw. It was taking middle, with height the only issue, but he got it right after all. Hawkeye supported his decision. Good on him. Good umpire. The wicket was very important in the scheme of things, Ponting however would of hoped Brett Lee hadn't dropped him earlier, but it was a tough chance for a catch, running back with the flight. Still, we have seen them take those chances before. Overall evenly poised it would seem, but India do have the runs on the board with 311. I'd put India in front at this stage. Early wickets tomorrow morning of Ganguly and Dhoni will ensure a swing of the pendulum Australia's way.

Gambhir out, that is a relief. Good to see Krejza playing. Happy with his selection. We need runs and more runs, and we need one or two bowlers to take a bag full of wickets. Fingers crossed.

Good point about Brad Hogg. India's stance is ridiculously unbelievable. It's time the ICC made a stand. If Gambhir takes to the crease, Ponting should bring it to the umpires attention first. It the umpire decides to play on and let the ICC deal with it. The ICC needs to be strong here and make the correct decision for the games sake. India's stance is further eveidence of unsportsmanlike behaviour and is definitely not in the spirit of cricket. The decision was handed down by the match referee, they should abide by the rules of the game.

May as well try something with Krejza. IMO they should play him. I understand it's a 50-50 too. But let's take a look at him.

Very surprising. Its is plain as the zinc on their faces for the Aussies. If they're to win, they must take 20 wickets. I can't see the Aussies winning based on their recent two tests. They definitely will not win if India make 500+ in their first innings.

Not exactly what the skipper needs from a spinner. Krejza should be bowling.

Yes, I believe its for the better for the Spurs. I feel they can take it to the big boys. If they can get 6 out of 9 possible points. You'd certainly take that.

You know, I would be very surprised if Gilchrist called Tendulkar to say that his comments were taken out of context. Seems to me the Indians love watering down issues or try to deflect issues any way they can. Congrats to Gilchrists comments about the Indians, particularly Tendulkar, last summer. PS. RR good post. I don't think your comments will upset the Indian community. Ie. ...."Making the rest of the world walk on rice paper from their whims." That is fine. Had you used "papadums" - now that would of been crossing the line.

Lee will bounce back QueenC, you watch. After being beaten in just about every aspect of the second test, The Aussies will make sure they're ready to rumble in the 3rd Test after being humiliated. Yes!! Great start to the season....again. I did say that didn't I? I also said that it appears the "cupboard is bare" of quality spinners. They need someone to consistently bowl at one end, and dry up the runs, especially against the likes of India to increase pressure on the opposition. ie. Whether that is Beau Cassen, Krezja, Cullen or McGain - or someone we are yet to find, it remains to be seen. On Indian pitches, you need to turn the ball and take wickets much like Harbajan has in the series to date. IMO McGain is currently the best of these in terms of consistency. Effectively we agree on this 45hotgod. McGain is a quality turner IMO. He has shown enough of his weapons in both Sheffield Shield (Ie Pura Cup), and the one day format. He can turn the ball. I know what you're saying. But the selectors in the past have grabbed blokes in their late 30's, early 40's before and sometimes from obscurity for a series or two. Ie. Peter Taylor, Bob Holland, Greg Matthews (Mark II)- , Tim May. McGains 19 matches compares favourably to a Peter Taylor before National call-up. Whilst I'm not pinning my hopes on him, I would be more confident in giving him the ball at one end, to hold one end down for me, even take a wicket or two knowing that he can turn the ball.

Its a good opinion QueenC . Mark Waugh did have a good point with regard to the 1st innings, it was poor on that wicket for the first day's play. The key is, and the Indians are aware of this, for Zaheer Khan said it prior to the commencement of the second test, that he believed the Aussies don't have the artillery to take 20 test wickets against India. Also, that India are confident against the current Australian attack. 20 Test wickets is required to win - that along with reasonably good batting. The hot air exchanged between Lee and Ponting is not good whichever way you look at it, regardless of how things are off-field for Lee. Having said that, I do feel for him. Might I add, I'm not in any way "solely blaming" Lee for the troubles that the Aussies now find themselves in. To do so would be insane and a little moronic, that is correct. All I stated was that he is "struggling", of which you agreed in your opening reply. It was always going to come with the retirement of legends of the game in McGrath and Warne. Arguably the best in their respective trades. Yes, good points once more, titan. With respect to a 'quality spinner', I would put to you Bryce McGain. He would of played had he not injured himself. He is quality, but his longevity in the game is minimal. Your question in relation to "youth and longevity" in the quality spinning department....well the cupboard is bare - you're quite right. It's rather an interesting problem we have considering Warne made so many people and kids so interested in the game of cricket. I would of thought new talent would of been coming through. The man was a freak with the ball. I wonder if we will ever see another quite like him. Our generation might of been blessed to watch such a cricketer apply his trade. Much like the generation that saw Bradman play.

OBSERVATION: The Aussies whilst struggling with the bat in this test - has a problem or two with the bowling. It's easy to say the two problems are no Warne and no McGrath. But the problem is there is no quality spinner to hold down one end. That and the fact the Aussies aren't working at the ball in the field between balls, the Indians are. There is no reverse swing or swing at all. The indians are just picking them off at will. Brett Lee is struggling. First solution: - FFS Work on the ball alot more (one one side) - enable it for the quicks to get 'some' swing and uncertainty for the Indian batsman. Second solution: - Get a quality spinner into the line-up, drop White. Third: - Occupy the crease with the bat and FFS concentrate. Fourth: - Don't bowl too short too often. Fifth: - Siddle give that slower delivery the arse. They're just waiting for it.

Yes great batsman, one of the best of all time, if not the best (next to the Don of course). Siddle just got him caught in slip off a great catch from Matthew Hayden for I think 88. Congrats to Tendulkar on his achievement. Congrats to Hayden on a fantastic catch, and congrats to Siddle on first Test wicket. That's a big scalp. Bill Lawry would be over the moon as a Victorian. White gets his 1st test wicket in the 1st Test of Tendulkar, Siddle his 1st Test wicket in the 2nd Test - none other than Tendulkar. They're both Victorian to boot!! Go Vics!

Nick Jewell 164. Not a bad start to the season indeed, by the Vics.

Interesting re: Kumble. He bowled terrible in the test. VICS off to a flyer and in form, 0/88 in their opening dig.

29? Geez he looks 40! Incidentally the Vics are 0/29 in their Sheffield Shield campaign in the game against Sth Aust in Adelaide.

sehwag...

MS Dhoni would be the next Captain in the second test. Is Kumble standing down immediately, Juice?

The bad light rule is nothing more than frustrating, especially when the Aussies were putting on the slower bowlers - White and Clarke.

5/314. M.Hussey is a legend.

Michael Clarke needs his head read. Why scramble for a single with 7 balls remaining for the day to retain the strike. Out in the last over. LBW. Frustrating.

Swab him. So, Man U have been dominated in each of the games he has reffed in. Just a coincidence.

Careful. Otherwise it will be Tata! And certainly no... Bang Goal!

Spot on. They will really miss Berbatov and Keane, they're leading goal scorers last season...

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