Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Australia wins the Carlton Mid Tri series comprehensively beating England by 102 runs in the final.

Australia won the Tri Series at the West Australian Cricket Association WACA ground in Perth on Sunday. It was a very good performance by Australia as it bounced back from early setbacks in their first innings when they lost 4 quick wickets for 50 odd runs.

Some patient batting by Man of the Match Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marshall rescued Australia from the precarious position providing a launchpad for James Faulkner later on, who belted English bowlers to score a quick fire fifty to entertain the Sunday crowd.

278 posted by Australia caused some unease in the English camp and the batsmen were not in the frame of mind they should have been while facing the likes of Mitchell Johnson, who returned to the Aussie squad after a well deserving rest for a month.

The moment Ian Bell got out to a peach of a delivery of the bowling off Josh Hazlewood, England were clueless in their style of batting and complete approach towards the chase.

James Taylor after hanging on for a while, played a poor stroke to give a low catch to Maxwell at point. Then Moeen Ali received a rising delivery which he could not fend and edged in the slips. Eoin Morgan was caught in two minds, whether to play or leave and was bowled by Johnson, who was on a hat-trick.

None of the English batsmen put on a fight or a decent partnership and the match was completely lopsided in the favour of hosts, who are looking in great touch ahead of the World Cup 2015. 

James Faulkner walked off the field with a side strain and further reports are awaited. That was a cause of worry for team management ahead of World Cup, in an otherwise marvelous day of Cricket for the Australian team.

Glen Maxwell was Man of the Match for his 95 and four wickets. Mitchell Marsh was Man of the Series.

Valleyz.Blog

Friday, January 30, 2015

England enters final after another win against India at Perth in Carlton Mid Tri series 2015

India set a modest total of 201 for win against England in the last league match of the Carlton-Mid Tri-series which England won after some initial hiccups.

Earlier Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to field first. India started cautiously, Rahane and Dhawan batted well and put on a 83 run stand for the first wicket and batted for 20 Overs.

It was a perfect platform for other batsmen to put on a decent score on the board later on in the innings, but the team lost next 8 wickets in quick succession and the scoreboard was 165/9 soon.

India lost 8 wickets for just 82 runs. The last wicket pair of Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma put on a 35 run stand to take the team total to 200 giving it some respectability.

England chasing the modest target lost Ian Bell cheaply to a ball that kept low due to uneven bounce in the pitch. Bell was given out lbw to delivery by Mohit Sharma.

After a breif stand of 26 runs Moeen Ali was out for 17 caught in the deep by Rayudu, then a flurry of wickets gave India a slight hope of coming back into the match. At that point in time the England score board read 66/5.

But Jos Butler joined a patient James Taylor, the duo put on a 121 run stand for the sixth wicket that brought England on the verge of the victory. James Taylor and Jos Butler then were out and England won by two wickets in the end.

Stuart Binny scalped three English batsmen on a docile pitch which supported seam bowling, justifying his selection in the playing eleven.

Valleyz.Blog

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

A must win game for England and India at Perth in Carlton Mid Tri series 2015

India and England meet at Perth in a semi-final like clash despite England having won a group stage match against India with a bonus point. 

Washed out game at SCG provided India with the much needed life line and the team need to make the most of the opportunity.

Both England and India have been below par their potential in the tournament so far. Both the teams would be looking to make amends at Perth. 

For India bowling is a big concern. Even if the batsmen put on a handsome total, Indian bowling department lacks wicket taking bowlers while containing the batsmen.

Despite the pitch at Perth traditionally supporting the bowlers, I personally think the team should go in with four bowlers, as this is not a game to experiment with the combination, but to go for an all out win. So going in with the best of  ability should be the option. 

Though England batting is not as strong as India's on the paper, Indian bowling still lack the control and the ability to provide crucial break through at regular intervals.

In Melbourne India lost wickets early and that held back the team to post on a big total, the team should prepare for alternative techniques while batting on fast and bouncy pitches. 

Steve Smith and Dave Warner present the most solid technique one should have, while batting in Aussie conditions. 

Smith shuffles around the stumps and doesn't allow the bowler to attack his off stump, and with his elegant stroke play on the on-side, he is a nightmare for the bowlers. 

Warner on the other hand, no matter how good length you bowl at him, just finds a way to drive through the covers given slightest of width from the bowler.

Indian batsmen should adapt to the conditions fast and be at their best at attacking the poor balls and leaving alone the good ones. That's one area that Indian batsmen could improvise in on this tour.

The way Rohit Sharma batted at Melbourne had given India much relief as he was short of runs on this tour, but his injury is a concern for India in run up to the World Cup 2015, hopefully he recovers fully in time for warm up games. 

Virat Kohli has remained quiet in the tri-series so far. Ajinkya Rahane didn't look like staying on for longer duration at crease.  

And Shikhar Dhawan's form is a concern for the team, the opener is having a lean patch at the top. In my view he is still the best opener India can play despite his nagging form.

In the bowling department, I would prefer India should go in with Umesh, Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Ashwin.

 England on the other hand has risen up to the occasion and posted the first 300 plus total of the tournament at the picturesque Bellerive Oval, Hobart, courtesy a well crafted hundred by an in form Ian Bell. 

English camp also has experienced bowlers in James Anderson and Stuart Board. And most importantly Steven Finn is among the wickets for England.

The match should be an ideal preparation for the up coming World Cup 2015 for both the teams. 
  
The pitch at Perth at WACA is known for fast conditions with bounce and carry. 

Here's a web link providing some details of the WACA pitch in Perth

Perth Pitch Report by Sporting Life.com 

Another web link to the WACA stadium.

WACA.com.au 

Valleyz.Blog

Friday, January 23, 2015

Australia leads the points table in the Carlton Mid Tri Series with another win against England

Australia won against England in their second round robin tie at picturesque venue, Bellerive Oval in Hobart today by three wickets. Set 304 to score Australia reached the target in the penultimate ball of the match.

Skipper Smith once again played the captain's innings and scored a century to win man of the match award at Blundstone arena.

With this win Australia remains at the top of the table with fifteen points, England in the second position with 5 points. Two matches remain to decide the team to play Australia in the final. 

On 26th January India play Australia at Sydney and on 30th India will play against England. India need to win both the games to qualify for the final and England has to win at least one match with a better net run rate to pip India at the post.

Australia was without Warner and Shane Watson but still managed to beat England shows the depth of the Australian bench and it remains the favorite team to win the Tri-Series. 

England could have put pressure on Australia after Ian Bell scored a big century, but couldn't capitalize on the platform provided by Ian Bell. 

Earlier England scored at a brisk space to reach 100 run mark in 16th Over and 150 run mark in 25th Over.

Ian Bell reached 5000 runs in his 153 appearance for the England team. 

India has struggled with both the ball and the bat in this tournament, electing to bat it lost out at the Gabba and in MCG Australia chased down the Indian total of 269 runs quite comfortably.

But the Toss could be vital at SCG, as the pitch is getting slower as the day progresses and is not easy to score runs under pressure.
 

Valleyz.Blog

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Batsmen need to fire for England and India in the 3rd ODI of Carlton-Mid Tri series

Australia comfortably won both the ODI's against England and India in a comprehensive manner. Both India and England have disastrous starts in their innings courtesy some fast and accurate bowling from Mitchell Starc who has now taken 10 wickets in two matches including a career best haul of 6/43 of 10 Overs in the match against India.

Australia are easily a stand out team in the tournament doing well with both bat and the ball to outplay the opposition. The main reason behind is the bench strength of Australia being so strong, that in the absence of pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson, Starc has provided Australia with breakthroughs.

But the long season ahead of 2015 World Cup could eventually have an effect on a team which is at it's best at the moment. Both India and England were below par their potential. If batsmen in England line up like Joe Root and Ian Bell fire for England, the side can pose questions to the opposition.

England didn't do that bad in the bowling department, at Sydney the pitch got slower and slower and batsmen earned their runs in one's and two's and it was not easy for the batsmen, as Dave Warner held the fort and made sure that the target is within the reach with a brilliant 127.

It will be interesting to see how the two teams England and India fare in the third ODI to be played on Tuesday. 

India playing two off spinners and going in with 5 bowlers didn't helped the side much. India failed to put on a challenging total. At one stage the side was cruising at 159-3 after 31 overs and ended up adding only 108 runs in the remaining 19 Overs, shows that Indian middle order collapsed and could not pose a challenging total. 

Though Indian top order failed to score, but given Rohit Sharma's big century and a 126 run partnership with Raina provided the stage India to fire later on in the innings.

Twin failures, the Indian top order and the lower middle order failing to fire put an arduous task on the bowlers. Given the strong response from Australia openers in Aaron Finch and Dave Warner, India tried hard. And at one stage tried to crawl back in to the match with some quick wickets of Bailey, Finch and Maxwell. There were not enough runs on the board to put the pressure on the batsmen.

Same was the case with England as the top order collapsed, Skipper Eoin Morgan resurrected the team in the middle with a well crafted 121 runs which included 11 fours and 3 sixes off 136 deliveries, but the lower middle order failed to fire to dash the teams hopes in the match. 

Only team showing consistency so far is Australia which is leading the points tally.

Valleyz.Blog

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Australia took a commanding lead of 348 runs at SCG on fourth day of the Test match.

4th and the final Test of 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar trophy is interestingly poised at the end of fourth day's play. Australia scored a fast paced 251/6 and lead by 348 runs overall with one day remaining in the Test match.

Earlier India resuming to bat with the overnight batting pair of Wriddhiman Saha and Virat Kohli managed to score just under hundred runs with the team overall total being 475 all out in the Indian first innings.

Skipper Virat Kohli was out in the similar fashion as he was out at MCG in the first innings, he was out on 147 runs. Soon Ashwin joined Saha and the pair put up a healthy 50 run partnership, later Saha got out to a bouncer from Hazlewood.

Ashwin scored freely making  a well played fifty with Bhuvneshwar Kumar giving good support from the other end.

Later Australia started their second innings quickly loosing Warner to Ashwin edging into the slips and Watson too followed suit quickly. And then Skipper Smith joined Chris Rogers to score at a very fast pace and putting up a partnership of  80 runs before Rogers got out making a strokeful 56. This was Chris Rogers sixth consecutive fifty equaling some old time Australian batting records.

Then Joe Burns carried on the Australian momentum of the innigns scoring 66 runs of just 39 balls, with the help of 8 fours and three sixes. Haddin and Ryan Harris were at the crease when matched was stopped due to bad light with one over to go.

Australia are yet to decalre and have not indicated whether they will resume the innings tomorrow or not.

Steve Smith scored most runs in the series surpassing Sir Don Bradman's record of most runs by an Aussie player against India. With four test hundreds and scoring 769 runs. Smith overtakes Pontings record of 706 runs in a four match Test Series and 715 runs in a Test series against India by Sir Don.

Valleyz.Blog

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Australia could've nipped Indian challenge at MCG in the 3rd Test keeping an eye on WC2015

There could be many possible reasons Why Australia went for a draw in the third Test. Skipper Smith said the side didn't want to give India a sniff at the Target, and mentioned India's strong batting line up as the reason behind. 

Though Smith was clear on the subject, it was not sounding like Australian. Australia are known to be ruthless in field and run down oppositions with sheer competitive brilliance. 

It could have been easily accepted, had Australia been touring and found in the conditions that it found itself on Day 4 of the 2nd innings. Australia lost quick wickets in the middle order in Smith, Haddin, Rogers and Johnson for 70 odd runs, putting Australia on the back foot. But not by much as Shaun Marsh recovered to post a match saving fifty on that evening, and Australia commanded the lead and could have stepped up the pedal.

But instead it slowed and slowed down it's innings until the match was over the next morning on the final day of the Test. Australia not only eat up the morning session, it did not declare till the lunch. That India played so and so is altogether a different story.

Why Australia did so, made a contest look so 'boring'? 

One reason could be that Australia did not want to give India any what so ever remote chance in the series keeping an eye on the up coming World Cup as India are the reigning champions. The Test loss though a little remote possibility, Australia wanted to play it very safe. As it could have opened up chinks in Australian team.

Post Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke era the side is yet to reach pinnacle of the ladder where it enjoyed that position of Top Test playing nation in the world for many years. South Africa has challenged that top position by constantly posing questions and successfully held the top position for a longer duration.

Though Australia might not be that worried for the Top nation rankings as much as the up coming World Cup 2015 which is hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Given all the permutations and combinations, India did not fare that badly. As I remember when India played at MCG in 2012, it had lost the match. And this time not only it posted a hand some reply in the first innings, there was rejuvenated response from the batsmen to Australia's 508 in the first innings.

Though bowling is concern for India, it still carried the punch and took down the Australian top order and middle order occassionally. The batters responded well through out the series and lost out only a session or two.

Though on the face of it, it looks like Australia won the series, but it was not in the same fashion as it beat England in the Ashes in 2014.

Given the state of play Australian think tank might have considered for a lame draw than an all-out winning approach to sub-due the Indian challenge and nip it in the bud keeping an eye on World Cup 2015.
 
Valleyz.Blog

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Australia lead India by 155 runs at lunch on Day 4 at MCG

In the morning Johnson just took an over to remove India's remaining two wickets from day three for only three runs.

Runs flowing from both ends, Australia were 47 runs in 9 overs, Warner stepped up the pedal scoring freely of the pacers. Ashwin was brought from one end and runs soon dried up it was 14 overs for 50 odd runs with Ashwin conceding 4 runs in as many overs.

Yadav particularly expensive in three overs conceding 30 odd runs. It is never about bowling faster and faster, but about line and length and swing the ball in the air.

The result was wicket of Warner, trying to sweep one from Ashwin, was caught in front plumb and it was an easy decision for the umpire. 

Though Chris Rogers was quiet the fourth morning but some wayward bowling from the pacers helped him to ease up and do the scoring for Australia.

Ashwin got out Watson 4 times in 7 innings,  

In the 19th Over Australia were leading by 142  runs, and it looks like it would be a monumental total from here that India will have to chase in second innings.

336 runs is the biggest run chase at MCG.

Watson's weakness was on display trying to defend incoming ball in front of stumps. The best trying to play across and once trying to play through covers, out both of the time. Great batsmen need to have a solid defence. Shami testing Watson with some probing in swinging balls.

How much score that Australia would like to defend on the fifth day is the question now. 375 or 400 may be.

But can India chase such a score on a fifth day pitch to stay in the series ? Australia would be happy to draw the game and take the series, so it will definitely give India a big total to win. 

Australia are 90/1 at lunch in 22 Overs on day 4 leading by  155 runs.

Valleyz.Blog

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Scintillating hundreds by Kohli and Rahane rescue India on day 3 after initial hiccups early on in the 3 Test at MCG

Scintillating performance by India on day 3 after initial hiccups early on in the morning. 

India lost quick wickets in Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay after some persistent bowling by Australia. Vijay was out for 68.

Rahane and Kohli then combined to produce a huge partnership to resuce India from that precarious position to a respectable total. 

Early in the innings both Rahane and Kohli were lucky to have got life. Rahane was at his best driving through covers and pulling Johnson all through day.

Batsmen produced some of the best cricket in front of a Sunday crowd at Melbourne Cricket ground.

It was sheer brilliance of the two batsmen that they survived some well directed bowling from Johnson and company. Pacer was hit to all corners of the park by the batsmen showing they were in total command.

Ajinkya Rahane got out lbw trying to sweep Nathan Lyon at the score of 147. The partnership was 262 runs worth for India.

L Rahul the debutant tried to lift Lyon over square leg but was dropped by Siddle at mid-wicket running backwards to take the catch. 

On the following delivery the batsman went to sweep Lyon again, giving a simple catch for 3. 

Dhoni was out on 11 runs playing a good length ball from Harris edging to the keeper.

Kohli continued on and on  and while trying to drive the ball through point edged it to the keeper for well made169 of 271 deliveries the Indian team total read 462/8 at the close of play.

The batsmen showed the intent today and held the innings together and won the day for India. 

Ryan Harris proved to be pick of the bowlers picking 4/69. Indian bowling unit could take a cue from the Aussie performance that they made the Indian batsmen earn their runs, survive and score. 

It was definitely not easy for the Indian batters. And also besides the fortunate partnership there was little contribution by other batsmen. It is still a worry aspect for India.

Rahane was dropped by Lyon, who reacted a little slow to the shot played back towards the bowler that went through his hands.

Then Kohli edged in the slips but was dropped by Harris. Earlier Haddin pulled of a spectacular catch to bring down Cheteshwar Pujara and then took the catch of Kohli.

So it will India batting again with two wickets remaining on Day 4. It will be interesting to see the team tactics on day 4.


Valleyz.Blog

India at a crucial stage in the first innings on Day 3 in the third test at MCG

India are at a crucial stage with 108 runs on the board at the loss of Shikhar Dhawan's wicket in their response to Australia's 530 runs on the second day of play.

Earlier Australia scored at a brisk pace resuming their first innings on day 2 with Brad Haddin nullifying the India tactic of bowling short to the batsman. Haddin hooked, pulled and lofted the clueless Indian pace attack in the morning to notch first fifty in the series.

Indian batsman tried hard and bowled short to Haddin in order to scalp the batsman's wicket, noting his uneasy stance in playing the short ball. But to the surprise of Indian bowlers, Haddin opened up his stance by freeing his front leg which gave him ample opportunity to score runs at will, until he himself committed an unforced error and edged a ball while trying to leave it to the keeper, in a similar fashion Indian Skipper MS Dhoni got out in the previous test.

India did not attack Aussie Skipper Steve Smith as much as they bowled short to Haddin, and that proved costly for the team, as Smith held up the Australian lower middle order together and stitched crucial partnerships with Ryan Harris too.

Ryan Harris played a good role and proved again that Australian lower order is the better off scoring runs than the Indian lower order as the bowlers struggled once again to get wickets.

Captain Smith and Harris built a 106 run partnership as Australia scorecard read 482 for 6 at that stage. As soon as Harris fell for 75 playing across to Ashwin, Australia stepped up to score quick runs as Smith went after the bowlers before the side got bowled out for mammoth 530 runs on the board with Skipper the last man out for a fabulous 192.

India started their first innings with confidence as both the openers survived probing line by the Aussie bowlers. Until Dhawan got out to a menacing Harris delivery which the batsman tried to play to the third man, instead edging it to the slips. Harris is a dark horse in the Australia bowling line up, he can swing the ball both ways and his seam is deceiving to say the least and often gives Australia crucial break through.

India are up against a good bowling attack and complacency will prove costly for the India as there isn't much depth in the Indian batting order as the Aussie side has. India are prone to batting collapses and often play contrary to their potential and provide opposition the chance to come back in to the game. 

Where as Australia seldom made this mistake in the series. So far they've accepted every chance the tourists provided them.

If India are to stay in the series, batters need to present something special on day 3 to the Aussie bowling attack including the off-spin of playing Nathan Lyon. Other wise it will be remembered as a tour when the team didn't played to it's full potential, despite some good players in the team.

Valleyz.Blog

Friday, December 26, 2014

Steve Smith's wicket is key to restrict Australia in the first Innings at MCG in the third Test.

It was a decent first day's play at MCG in the boxing day test against Australia by the India team with Australia scoring 259/5 at the close of play.

Umesh Yadav took the all important opening wicket of David Warner to slow down the Australia scoring rate later in the innings, as India bowlers failed to take wickets till the start of second session in the morning.

Watson and Chris Rogers built up a good partnership against a disciplined Indian bowling which went wicket less and a dropped chance to score a second wicket partnership of 115 runs. Chris Rogers was taken by Dhoni of Mohammad Shami delivery outside of off, inviting the batsmen to drive on the rise.

Soon after Watson was out lbw to R Ashwin, trying to play slog sweep covering the stumps and completely missing out, though umpire couldn't see the middle and off of the batsmen's wickets but failed to note that Watson took a long stride and met the ball out side the line of off stump. It was a close decision.

Initially Skipper Steve Smith started of slowly and then later paced his innings to lead Australia to a handsome total of 259/5 with his inidividual score of 72 not out at close of play.

S Marsh got out caught behind by the keeper of Shami scoring 32. Debutant Joe Burns could not last long as he was out trying to pull the ball and edging to the keeper off Umesh Yadav.

Umesh Yadav was bowling with good pace and bounce occasionally hitting Brad Haddin on the body with short pitched deliveries which the batmsnen left alone.

Ishant Sharma was bowling nicely but didn't look penetrating the Aussie batting order. Mohammad Shami took two wickets and looks good when bowling a probing line. There was also a dropped catch of his bowling when Watson edged in the slips and was dropped by a diving Shikhar Dhawan to his left.

Bowing out side of off is key to bowling Steve Smith out. Analysing the style of play, Smith easily pulls, drives and cuts the ball, so there isn't much the bowlers can try than to test him outside of off.

That's the only way Australia has time and again bowled at the famed Indian batting order of yesteryears.

When a batsmen is strong both on the backfoot and the front foot, it is important for the bowlers to catch him at the crease by bowing good length ones.

The wicket looks dry and slightly tilted in batsman's favour, India bowling has it's task cut out to restrict Australia.

Steve Smith's wicket is key in these circumstances, if he gets going and wags along with the tail, then Australia will not only score runs but at a quicker pace.
   
Valleyz.Blog

Friday, December 19, 2014

Indian middle order needs to click if it is to save the Second test at Gabba 2014 vs Australia

India is in a precarious position to save this Test match on the fourth day of the second test at Brisbane.

 Still two days to go in the match, India needs to bat out at least four sessions to save this match. Australia will no doubt fancy it's chances any run chase below 300.

That possibility should be taken seriously by India in order to salvage the Test match if not winning it.

Given the Indian middle order repertoire, the side could wind up without posing a decent total to defend even if it's top batsmen score centuries.

It is not as if the top order batsmen failed on this tour, despite the batsmen scoring centuries other batsmen didn't capitalize on the opportunity. That's where Australia is marginally ahead in this series.

With Rohit Sharma's below the expectations performance, India can hardly afford to loose any more wickets as it is already one down.

So the match is more favorably tilted towards the hosts and it is the tourists I feel that have the work cut out.

Nathan Lyon has already won a match for Australia and Hazlewood has shown great performance in the first innings of the ongoing test, Australia has no dearth of bowling specialists to Test India batsmen.

Can the Indian batsmen particularly the middle order with stand the onslaught from the Aussie pace and spin combo is the question.


 Valleyz.Blog

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Resurgent India held back by Nathan Lyon brilliance in the first test at Adelaide 2014

Australia beat India in the first test at Adelaide taking the lead 1-0 in the 4 match series. It was mixed bag of luck for the inexperienced new look Indian team under the debutant captain Virat Kohli.

Captain led by example through out the match scoring valuable centuries in both the innings. But eventually the worn out fifth day pitch was very well exploited by Nathan Lyon.

The Indian batsmen showed the intent to hang on despite some decisions that went against the team in the absence of DRS. Nathan Lyon was using his high arm action smartly beating the batsmen in the air and with huge turners. Lyon didn't have much success in the last series against Pakistan played in UAE, but his ability with the ball was never in doubt. Lyon managed to extract good support from the Adelaide pitch bagging a whopping 12 wickets and the man of the match award for a splendid performance.

Michael Clarke led by example in the match scoring hundred and leading the team after the tragic circumstances of losing a team mate. It was the sombre moment for the entire team to be so quick on to the field and giving out its best despite the resurgence shown by young Indian talent which holds a lot of promise.

Series is still wide open and the Indian contingent should be happy with the overall performance of the team.

With Ravi Shastri in the Indian Dressing room the side need not worry about team combination for the remainder of the series. All the team needs to do is take it session by session and play accordingly as the situation demands.

Looking back in to the match when Australia had lot of wicket in hands in the second innings the batsmen were given indications to score quick runs in order to give the side enough time and overs to bowl out India. Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith scored quickly to give Aussie side the advantage of a challenging total to defend in the second innings.

Murali Vijay lived tentaviley at the crease, was stranded on 99 as Lyon pulled one back trapping him in front of the wicket. It was a crucial wicket for the hosts as they struggled to break the 137 run partnership for the 3rd wicket.

Though Mitchell Johnson bowled beautifully beating the batsmen on several occasions but went without luck. So it was Lyon all the way who provided the breakthroughs and.finished off the tail enders to wrap up the match for Australia.

 Indian team looks promising to say the least with such good pace bowlers in the side, who should stick to a tight line and length and hopefully it should bring out a winning result at Brisbane.

Valleyz.Blog

Sunday, November 3, 2013

India wins 2013 One Day International series at Bangalore

A huge victory for team India in the recently concluded 2013 Star Sports One Day series in India has propelled the team to a stronger position both in terms of confidence and rankings.

It was the series decider at Chinnaswamy stadium at Bangalore, and as expected there was pressure on both the teams. 

In the end a team with greater resilience in holding on to the basics of the game eventually won.

Though 384 was a big target but it could have been achieved had Australia not committed small mistakes. 

That is what sports are all about to know your game better and improve the next time.

Earlier Australia won the toss and decided to field first. India started on a positive note with another 100 plus opening wicket partnership.

Shikhar Dhawan fell to a Doherty spinner when the southpaw was caught in front of the wicket playing across.

Virat Kohli wanted to take a quick single with a jab to mid on, but Rohit Sharma was not so keen and that resulted in misunderstanding.

And after that Rohit Sharma alone started to build his innings and scored a century and there after broke loose to score a mammoth double hundred, third such innings in history of One day Cricket.

Australia was under tremendous pressure and lost four wickets for only 74 runs on the board, that showed the mindset of the team, as it looked in a hurry.

Both Aaron Finch and Adam Voges were not able to read Shami Ahmed.

Glen Maxwell and James Faulkner displayed some good batting display and Shane Watson too helped the cause, but wickets falling at  regular intervals put brakes in the Australia's run chase. 

Clint Mckay and James Faulkner brought the match to its ending phase. And then Mckay fell to a leg break from Jadeja.

And Faulkner followed soon trying to clear the deep square leg boundary was caught by Shikhar Dhawan in a spectacular fashion.

That gave India a huge series win against a formidable side.

Valleyz.Blog

Friday, November 1, 2013

Ind Vs Aus 7th ODI: Series deciding match at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalorere

It was another huge run chase by the India in their match against Australia in 6th One Day International at VCA ground at Nagpur.

Earlier Australia  batting first put up a huge total of 350 in 50 overs with Shane Watson and Skipper George Bailey scoring centuries in splendid fashion.

In reply India riding on some solid opening partnerships from Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma started of in a splendid fashion, and that gave Virat Kohli, who is having an amazing time with the bat, solid platform to chase down another record total in splendid fashion.

The final one dayer at Bangalore will be played on Saturday.  With both the sides showing good form with the bat, another match with a run scoring spree could be expected

Valleyz.Blog

Monday, October 21, 2013

Ind/Aus 2013 Fourth ODI - India's bowling a matter of concern

Stage is set for the fourth One Day International(D/N) match between India and Australia in the 2013 edition at JSCA International Cricket Stadium at Ranchi in Jharkhand state of India.

After a morale boosting win at PCA stadium in Mohali, Australia now lead the series 2-1.

Pitch at the JSCA ground is expected to play on the slower side. How it will shape up in run up to the match remains to be seen.

The last match played at this ground in January 2013 India won that match overwhelmingly against England.

Pitch has assisted spinners in the past and that should be good news for the hosts.

There could be an element of surprise or two particularly where the hosts have been taken for 300 plus runs in three consecutive matches in the series.

It also shows visitors are in good form with the bat. So anything could happen on the match day.

 Not an Ideal pitch for T20's: Jacques Kallis about Ranchi Pitch 

Valleyz.Blog

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Ind/Aus 2013 Second ODI - India beats Australia in a thrilling encounter

India won the match in great style after Australia put up a huge total of 360 to chase. The pitch had nothing to assist the bowlers and it was evident in the way the batsmen from both the sides were able to dominate the bowling.


Earlier Australia won the toss and elected to bat first and made most of the opportunity. Skipper George Bailey and all the top 5 Aussie batsmen showed lot of grit and determination to put another challenging total against the hosts.


But when India resumed it's innings first few overs were kept tight by the Australian bowlers. But after that India's batsmen showed tremendous skills to overcome some aggressive bowling.


Once the batsmen were in the groove they were easily able to rotate the strike. The match was thoroughly entertaining through out. Specially the brilliant knock by Virat Kohli breaking record of sorts.


He has proved that time and again, and Australia know how important a player he is to the Indian batting line up.


With the second match, the two sides draw level 1-1. 


Valleyz.Blog

Sunday, November 8, 2009

India loses the match and the series at Guwahati in 2009 Honda Cup vs Australia

India went into a shudder at Guwahati today after the loss at Hyderabad on Thursday in the 2009 Honda cup series in India. In the process lost the series to Australia by 4-2 with the final match of the series to be played at Mumbai on Wednesday, and now has no consequence in the series. India will be looking to win this match, to salvage the lost ground.

India never recovered psychologically it seems from the loss at Hyderabad, which dealt a crucial blow to the hosts morale and confidence. The series in fact was decided on that fateful evening in Hyderabad when Australia pulled off a humdinger from the jaws of defeat by a margin of three runs to score a point against the under-performing hosts that International Cricket doesn't lets go off Scot free if you make mistakes on a continuous basis through the series.

Sachin sparkled with a solid 175 only to see his side squandering the opportunity by losing 4 wickets in 18 balls requiring almost the same runs to win the match and give a message to Australia, that they meant business. But the hosts were in a different zone altogether, I felt the Jadeja run out was the crucial one in the closing stages of the game, it seemed that the youngster was picking up instructions from the Sachin at the crease, but instead he ran himself out for no apparent reason. That was the sheer pressure the youngster could not handle at this stage. It makes me recollect about Md Kaif the UP skipper who is a great finisher and had did in fact in the Champions Trophy in England when India surmounted another high scoring game. I wonder Why he is not being considered for selection ?

There should be incentives for players when they finish off things for the team, and likewise should be laid off to set the things right for the team.

With the big win in hand at Hyderabad, the visitors had nothing to loose and came hard on a seaming pitch on a Guwahati morning and quickly opened up the Indian top order with quick wickets, the message here out to the Indian team is, no matter you play a second class team or a number one, you need to commit yourself to bring victories.

India needs to play as a unit to win matches and should be professional enough in carrying out the game plan.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Match Reports

Rest of India vs Delhi Irani trophy match
Rest of India scored an assuring victory over the Ranji champions Delhi, in the end it was a good result for the ROI team. Bowlers specially did well, notably Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Munaf Patel had good stints.

Gautam gambhir played a sensible knock of 91 in the second innings but could not help stop Delhi losing the game, his innings will be a bright point in the match with the other notable performers in the form of Chetanya Nanda in the Delhi side who took the only five for of the match.

Australia A vs India A at Chennai September 26 2008

In the other final match of the triangular series in Chennai,India, Australia A won easily by a margin of 156 runs, the pace combination of Shaun Tait, Brett Greeves and Mark Cameron snatched the match early sending back 4 batsmen with just 33 runs on board inside 7 overs. None of the India A batsman put up any resistance. Earlier Australia posted a strong total of 303 with Ronchi, Hussey, White and Voges scoring half century. Suresh Raina put Australia A into bat after winning the toss.