Cricket

Pete has ‘taken his bat home’ it appears.

Chin up, it still only one all!

No sorry I’ve had grandkids here for the last few days and I forgot to check out the thread and for some strange reason I don’t get notifications for this thread.

Batting has been very disappointing they are completely disorganised at the top end. Hopefully Warner’s back which should help but there’s a few that look out of form. Bowling from both sides has been the highlight so far.

1 match each makes this Thursday’s game very interesting I’m hoping the guys bounce back just as India did.

India they are looking pretty threadbare with pace bowlers. Bumrah aside it will be a very inexperienced attack.

Bruce

Congratulations to NZ on their well deserved No. 1 Test Ranking.

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Absolutely. Kane Williamson such a classy player, leading a team of real talent.

NZ have been the quite achievers for a few years now. I like the no fuss way they play, think they’re had some pretty average decisions go against them as well but it doesn’t seem to bother them they just get on with it.

Always been my second team.

The number 1 test raking now means something with a final later this year.

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Aus win the toss a bat first. Warner and new comer Pucovski to open for Aus.

Looking forward to a good contest.

Oops - an inauspicious return for Warner!

Yep he didn’t last long. The young kid is looking good. Unfortunately today’s play is going to be disrupted by rain.

338 is an improvement but there’s still issues, Smith seems to have found form and Warner is not fit.

India 26/0 at tea should be a good last sessions.

Hard to be too unhappy with 338 but it would have been messy again without Smith, and that is against a pretty reduced India attack. Pucovski sounds like a prospect.

Sounds like a pitch where the bowlers are generally going to have to toil. India will be content if only two down at the close i would think.

Just watching the last few overs, balls not doing anything. My monies on a draw.

Pete, I think you’ll be happier this evening. India running out of players it appears, and also running each other out. Not sure the pitch is going to throw up a lot of demons yet but Australia surely favourites.

Bruce

Still problems with the openers but think it’s tipping towards Aussies. Steve and Marcus are playing themselves into form.

Tomorrow should be the best day, think it’ll go into the 5th day.

India bounced back well after losing an early wicket. They fought well to be 3/206 at lunch, they need a further 201 to win. Good on them for having a go, which they are think there’s been 3 6s hit off one Lyons over. it’s a much more interesting game than a batting for a boring draw only to be bowled out anyway. Go out fighting, a bit of luck and they could win. Play it like a 20/20 x 2.

The pitch isn’t doing as much as the thought it would but Lyon did get a bit of turn (and stick) just before the brake. India’s run of bad luck is continuing with injuries with Ravindra Jadeja only to bat if needed so they are effectively 4 down.

The Aussies missed a few chances.

Pant (he’s top player) 73 off 97 balls and Cheteshwar Pujara (the anchor) 41 off 147 balls.

Think it certainly makes a difference not being able to work one side of the ball with spit. Who’d thought it would be Covid that would wipe out ball tampering altogether. :rofl::rofl:

Does anyone think bowlers/teams should be able to use approved substitute. Just a thought.

As for th racial abuse, these FWs are everywhere every country seems to have them they crawl out from under a rock. Glad they pointed them out and they were shown the door. Idiots there’s hardly anyone there you can’t hide behind the crowd (who should point you out anyway).

Play just about to restart. I’d say the Aussies are still favourites but if we get beaten like this I don’t mind (as much), India must of played well and earned it.

PG

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This is getting interesting, into the last session and it’s 5-290, India needs too many playing for the draw. 26 overs remaining, Lyon’s will need to spin them out.

Vihari 6 off 78 balls
Ash win 16 off 61 balls.

Pete - Listening to the game now – appears finely balanced with ~17 overs to go (?) and 4/5 wickets to get.

Sounds like Vihari has ‘dropped anchor’.

Re subs, I would say no, as this could allow teams to play with only 4 bowlers in some cases, and one of the drivers to select 5 is as cover in extremis. Plus, it could allow teams to select players who may not be 100% fit and one aspect of Test cricket is the ability to last 5 days.

No I didn’t mean substitute players, sorry I was talking about a substitute for “spit”, tongue in cheek.

Don’t think it’s balanced India have pitch a tent and have chosen a boring draw. Can’t blame them we’d probably do the same.

Draws still a better result for Australia as they’ll now need to win In Brisbane.

Pete,

Ah, I see re the shining of the ball. Obviously the suntan lotion wiped from the f’head doesn’t work either :grinning:

It does sound like the Indian team are a list of the walking wounded.

Sounds like a draw coming and we’re used to this type of innings when England bat!

I’m intrigued why Lyon is referred to as the GOAT when you’ve had the likes of Warne - how many GOATs does Aussie cricket want i.e. Bradman too.

Sorry I got that wrong it must of been wishful thinking or a seniors moment. It’s 1 all, a draw isn’t good for the Aussies. It now means Australia has to win.