India is clearly way ahead in the third Test against South Africa in Nagpur. After hosts being bowled out for 215 in the first innings.
Proteas succumbed to a very low score of 79, courtesy guile and spin of R Ashwin (5/33) and Jadeja(4) on the second day of the match.
Murali Vijay top scored in the Indian batting line up with 40 runs. While Duminy top scored for SA with 35 runs.
India in the second innings replied with 173 in 46.3 Overs. Imran Tahir took 5 wickets in 11.3 Overs while Morkel took 3 in 10 Overs. Shikhar Dhawan top scored with 39 runs in the second innings for India.
South Africa are left to chase 310 runs in the second innings to win the match which looks very difficult.
In reply SA are 21/1 in the second innings.
Valleyz.Blog
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Australia easily wins the warm up tie against India at Adelaide Oval
Australia won the warm up game against India at the Adelaide Oval by 106 runs. David Warner 104 and Glenn Maxwell (retd) 122 helped Australia post 371 in 48.2 Overs.
In reply India scored 265 in 45.1 Overs with Dhawan, Rahane and Rayudu scoring fifties.
The pitch was easy to bat, with the ball nicely coming on to the bat. David Warner played good strokes all round the wicket at a fast pace.
Glen Maxwell later scored heavily and scored 122 runs of just 55 deliveries.
Indian batsmen were mostly out caught trying to play some enterprising strokes to up the scoring rate.
Mohd Shami took 3/83 in 9.3 Overs, Umesh Yadav 2/52 in 9 Overs and Mohit Sharma 2/62 in six Overs.
Stuart Binny and Axar Patel took one wicket each.
Valleyz.Blog
In reply India scored 265 in 45.1 Overs with Dhawan, Rahane and Rayudu scoring fifties.
The pitch was easy to bat, with the ball nicely coming on to the bat. David Warner played good strokes all round the wicket at a fast pace.
Glen Maxwell later scored heavily and scored 122 runs of just 55 deliveries.
Indian batsmen were mostly out caught trying to play some enterprising strokes to up the scoring rate.
Mohd Shami took 3/83 in 9.3 Overs, Umesh Yadav 2/52 in 9 Overs and Mohit Sharma 2/62 in six Overs.
Stuart Binny and Axar Patel took one wicket each.
Valleyz.Blog
Thursday, February 5, 2015
The World Cup winning team of 2011 for India was easily the most experienced and talented of the time in the world
The World Cup winning team of 2011 of India was easily the most experienced and talented in the world at the time. And it was no wonder that India won the cup so handsomely.
When you have Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Mahender Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir then you could easily be on top of the world. The champs had to do it in front of the world and they did it in style, dominated the world with their eloquent style of Cricket that is not found in any part of the world.
Yuvraj Singh with his remarkable form with the bat won the Man of the Tournament award, which is one award any player playing the World Cup cherishes for lifetime. And Yuvraj Singh won the award after match winning performances through out the tournament.
Zaheer Khan with all his experience in One Day Cricket was the main spear head of the Indian team, and go to man in times when team needed him during the course of a match. Harbhajan Singh was the India's spin wizard who lend the team with a reliable spinning abilities and providing crucial break through at regular intervals.
In Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, India had a safe opening pair. Particularly Virender Sehwag with his amazing stroke play used to put pressure on any opposition with in no time. And the legend, maestro Sachin Tendulkar himself was there to provide that touch of solidity to the team, any team in the world would like to have such a player in the ranks. Dhoni was the captain cool, shrewd and tactical that kept India in the hunt and ensured the team won the World Cup, he was handful behind the stumps and was demolisher with the bat. Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli were experienced enough to keep India in good stead through out the tournament.
The players like Praveen Kumar, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, Yusuf Pathan all provided the team with the cushion the team needed and with that strong bench India proved insurmountable to any opposition in the World.
Here on sub-continental wickets the ball does not rise as much and the tracks are batsmen friendly so to say, but still the batsmen had to play their strokes to put a score on the board for bowlers to defend. Or chase down runs as the Indian team did against Sri Lanka in the finals.
Sri Lankans as always are a respectable side with likes of Mahela, Sangakkara, Dilshan, in their side. But it was India's day and they finished their campaign in 2011 by coming out on the top. History has been created. India became the World Champions true to their repertoire.
After four years this World Cup edition is less than a week to start in Australia and New Zealand and most of the teams have warmed up for the occasion and ready to start their campaign.
In the preliminary stages we will see developing cricketing nations rub shoulders with their more experienced counter parts. Ireland, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Zimbabwe all the other teams have some element of surprise they carry in them. It is the exposure to more and more cricket that will make them more experienced. These teams have many times sprung a surprise by defeating top teams in the World Cricket.
Valleyz.Blog
When you have Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Mahender Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir then you could easily be on top of the world. The champs had to do it in front of the world and they did it in style, dominated the world with their eloquent style of Cricket that is not found in any part of the world.
Yuvraj Singh with his remarkable form with the bat won the Man of the Tournament award, which is one award any player playing the World Cup cherishes for lifetime. And Yuvraj Singh won the award after match winning performances through out the tournament.
Zaheer Khan with all his experience in One Day Cricket was the main spear head of the Indian team, and go to man in times when team needed him during the course of a match. Harbhajan Singh was the India's spin wizard who lend the team with a reliable spinning abilities and providing crucial break through at regular intervals.
In Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, India had a safe opening pair. Particularly Virender Sehwag with his amazing stroke play used to put pressure on any opposition with in no time. And the legend, maestro Sachin Tendulkar himself was there to provide that touch of solidity to the team, any team in the world would like to have such a player in the ranks. Dhoni was the captain cool, shrewd and tactical that kept India in the hunt and ensured the team won the World Cup, he was handful behind the stumps and was demolisher with the bat. Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli were experienced enough to keep India in good stead through out the tournament.
The players like Praveen Kumar, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, Yusuf Pathan all provided the team with the cushion the team needed and with that strong bench India proved insurmountable to any opposition in the World.
Here on sub-continental wickets the ball does not rise as much and the tracks are batsmen friendly so to say, but still the batsmen had to play their strokes to put a score on the board for bowlers to defend. Or chase down runs as the Indian team did against Sri Lanka in the finals.
Sri Lankans as always are a respectable side with likes of Mahela, Sangakkara, Dilshan, in their side. But it was India's day and they finished their campaign in 2011 by coming out on the top. History has been created. India became the World Champions true to their repertoire.
After four years this World Cup edition is less than a week to start in Australia and New Zealand and most of the teams have warmed up for the occasion and ready to start their campaign.
In the preliminary stages we will see developing cricketing nations rub shoulders with their more experienced counter parts. Ireland, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Zimbabwe all the other teams have some element of surprise they carry in them. It is the exposure to more and more cricket that will make them more experienced. These teams have many times sprung a surprise by defeating top teams in the World Cricket.
Valleyz.Blog
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
India need to attack pace bowling in World Cup with sound technique and temperament
World Cup is round the corner and all the teams are buzzing with confidence.
India is on a long tour of Australia that started in December last with Four Tests, a T20 and an ODI Tri-series. The team lost 0-2 in the four Test match series. Though the team lost but there were positives from the series to be taken into account.
In One day series the team did not do well, often loosing early wickets to pace bowling in Australian conditions. Many players did not adjust to pace and bounce that well, often edging catches behind the stumps.
Though Mitchell Johnson who is the main spearhead of the Aussie attack took rest from the series, India could not win the series. Though it is another matter, in the last match it played against England at Perth, the team had a good start but could not convert into a challenging total in the end, the match was easily won by England.
In these conditions India need to adapt well and particularly should have the strategy to counter the likes of Mitchell Johnson, James Anderson and other host of bowlers from different nations.
India are defending their World Cup title here in Australia- New Zealand of the World Cup 2015, if India puts up a meek response it will be difficult for India in crunch matches like Semi-Final and Finals of the World Cup.
India need to take every match seriously and prepare accordingly and don't give the opposition the comfort to attack in crucial situations of a match.
India need to make strategy to tackle pace bowling very clear and follow it.
Valleyz.Blog
India is on a long tour of Australia that started in December last with Four Tests, a T20 and an ODI Tri-series. The team lost 0-2 in the four Test match series. Though the team lost but there were positives from the series to be taken into account.
In One day series the team did not do well, often loosing early wickets to pace bowling in Australian conditions. Many players did not adjust to pace and bounce that well, often edging catches behind the stumps.
Though Mitchell Johnson who is the main spearhead of the Aussie attack took rest from the series, India could not win the series. Though it is another matter, in the last match it played against England at Perth, the team had a good start but could not convert into a challenging total in the end, the match was easily won by England.
In these conditions India need to adapt well and particularly should have the strategy to counter the likes of Mitchell Johnson, James Anderson and other host of bowlers from different nations.
India are defending their World Cup title here in Australia- New Zealand of the World Cup 2015, if India puts up a meek response it will be difficult for India in crunch matches like Semi-Final and Finals of the World Cup.
India need to take every match seriously and prepare accordingly and don't give the opposition the comfort to attack in crucial situations of a match.
India need to make strategy to tackle pace bowling very clear and follow it.
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
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
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
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
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
Friday, January 9, 2015
Steve Smith was outstanding against India helping the side with a series win
Steve Smith taking over the mantle as the Skipper of the Aussie team has shown tremendous form with the bat scoring at brisk pace and often taking the game away from the opposition in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy series 2014-15.
Smith has grown into a run machine on this tour scoring 769 runs in 4 matches with a staggering average of 140 plus runs an innings, that is simply outstanding as a batsmen. Australia with the exception of Watson and Warner doesn't have that experience in their batting line up, their middle order is constantly under scrutiny with Michael Clarke having to skip series and then the unfortunate and tragic death of Phil Hughes made Australian middle order wanting for a compact batsmen. Mitchell Marsh too had to sit out of the eleven with injury.
Joe Burns was called in to the side, the batsmen is still catching up with the grind of an international tour, and was aggressive with the bat in the Aussie second innings of Fourth Test at SCG scoring a brisk 66. Haddin too was not among the runs as he was in the Ashes last season often rescuing Australia with late stands with the middle order. Smith had to click to keep the Indian challenge at bay and he did with ease, IPL experience could've provided him with the perfect foil in preparing agains the Indian pace bowlers.
The stance of shuffling across the stumps to negate the line of the bowler often unsettled the inexperienced Indian bowling attack who often were clueless than want of technique or effort, they were lacking in strategy and planning. Indian bowlers need to prepare mentally on an Aussie tour more than anything else.
Australia playing at home are always formidable and will never let the opposition bowling attack settle down, no matter what and often change the course of the match briskly and then they have a trump card in Mitchel Johnson who has the ability to take quick wickets and also is a very good with finishing the tail off. Given the limited resources, Smith has proved to be a good bet under the circumstances in which he led the team.
It augurs well for Australian cricket with Smith performing so well. Of course he may have to give back the mantle to Skipper Clarke if he makes return to the team in the future.Crowds were simply missing Clarke, the team looked dull with out him in the dressing room. Especially the performance he had with the team last Ashes series is worth remembering for a long time to come.
eValleyz.Blog
Smith has grown into a run machine on this tour scoring 769 runs in 4 matches with a staggering average of 140 plus runs an innings, that is simply outstanding as a batsmen. Australia with the exception of Watson and Warner doesn't have that experience in their batting line up, their middle order is constantly under scrutiny with Michael Clarke having to skip series and then the unfortunate and tragic death of Phil Hughes made Australian middle order wanting for a compact batsmen. Mitchell Marsh too had to sit out of the eleven with injury.
Joe Burns was called in to the side, the batsmen is still catching up with the grind of an international tour, and was aggressive with the bat in the Aussie second innings of Fourth Test at SCG scoring a brisk 66. Haddin too was not among the runs as he was in the Ashes last season often rescuing Australia with late stands with the middle order. Smith had to click to keep the Indian challenge at bay and he did with ease, IPL experience could've provided him with the perfect foil in preparing agains the Indian pace bowlers.
The stance of shuffling across the stumps to negate the line of the bowler often unsettled the inexperienced Indian bowling attack who often were clueless than want of technique or effort, they were lacking in strategy and planning. Indian bowlers need to prepare mentally on an Aussie tour more than anything else.
Australia playing at home are always formidable and will never let the opposition bowling attack settle down, no matter what and often change the course of the match briskly and then they have a trump card in Mitchel Johnson who has the ability to take quick wickets and also is a very good with finishing the tail off. Given the limited resources, Smith has proved to be a good bet under the circumstances in which he led the team.
It augurs well for Australian cricket with Smith performing so well. Of course he may have to give back the mantle to Skipper Clarke if he makes return to the team in the future.Crowds were simply missing Clarke, the team looked dull with out him in the dressing room. Especially the performance he had with the team last Ashes series is worth remembering for a long time to come.
eValleyz.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.
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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
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
Thursday, January 1, 2015
New comers should be given the chance at SCG, as India look to win the final Test.
With the fourth and the final test to be played in Sydney, Australia are brimming with confidence, and would even give young Ashton Agar a chance in the team, who was recalled earlier prior to the fourth test.
India on the other hand have this task of gathering itself together after the series defeat and with final test to go in the 4 match Test series down under.
The new captain in the form of Virat Kohli has some tremendous runs under his belt and is easily among the players with huge confidence. Taking over the mantle after MS Dhoni retired from Test Cricket, Virat would be looking , if there is any need for a change or two in the team composition.
It is the India's first line of batting and bowling attack which played at MCG, if at all there could be any change and that might be in the form of playing the leg spin of Karn Sharma, who was given the chance in the first test.
Also troubling the India's scheme of things is the middle order batting, with the series drawing to a close, Rohit Sharma was not amongst the runs in first two and KL Rahul the new comer failed in his first test, which gives India little room to decide whether to bring in a new face for the last match of the series or go with the same team.
Cheteshwar Pujara is another batsmen in Indian line up who is not amongst the runs on this tour, he scored runs on the South Africa in 2014 and that should back the middle order batsman in these times. A good solid knock would go a long way in his career and India need him to score some big runs in the middle order.
Wriddhiman Saha played in place of MS Dhoni in the series opener of the tour, and would have never thought in his dreams that he would have to be ready to play full time role so soon courtesy the sudden and shocking retirement of the former Indian Skipper. Axar Patel, Sanju Samson are the other new faces on this tour one would like to have a look. Though Indian audience had the glimpse of the players in the T20 league, Test Cricket is altogether a different grind. If any one of them gets the chance, it'll be the best way one could have the feel of International Cricket and who knows can turn up with best figures on debut.
Time flies so quick and fast, the tragic circumstances under which the series started, the teams will be returning to the Sydney Cricket Ground where Phil Hughes succumbed to fatal injury a month earlier. Words cannot fill the void, the slot in the batting order has his indelible mark that only he can fill in the Australian line up and it will be a moist and poignant moment for the followers across the cricketing world. Phil Hughes remains in the heart of the cricket lovers, forever 63 Not Out.
Valleyz.Blog
India on the other hand have this task of gathering itself together after the series defeat and with final test to go in the 4 match Test series down under.
The new captain in the form of Virat Kohli has some tremendous runs under his belt and is easily among the players with huge confidence. Taking over the mantle after MS Dhoni retired from Test Cricket, Virat would be looking , if there is any need for a change or two in the team composition.
It is the India's first line of batting and bowling attack which played at MCG, if at all there could be any change and that might be in the form of playing the leg spin of Karn Sharma, who was given the chance in the first test.
Also troubling the India's scheme of things is the middle order batting, with the series drawing to a close, Rohit Sharma was not amongst the runs in first two and KL Rahul the new comer failed in his first test, which gives India little room to decide whether to bring in a new face for the last match of the series or go with the same team.
Cheteshwar Pujara is another batsmen in Indian line up who is not amongst the runs on this tour, he scored runs on the South Africa in 2014 and that should back the middle order batsman in these times. A good solid knock would go a long way in his career and India need him to score some big runs in the middle order.
Wriddhiman Saha played in place of MS Dhoni in the series opener of the tour, and would have never thought in his dreams that he would have to be ready to play full time role so soon courtesy the sudden and shocking retirement of the former Indian Skipper. Axar Patel, Sanju Samson are the other new faces on this tour one would like to have a look. Though Indian audience had the glimpse of the players in the T20 league, Test Cricket is altogether a different grind. If any one of them gets the chance, it'll be the best way one could have the feel of International Cricket and who knows can turn up with best figures on debut.
Time flies so quick and fast, the tragic circumstances under which the series started, the teams will be returning to the Sydney Cricket Ground where Phil Hughes succumbed to fatal injury a month earlier. Words cannot fill the void, the slot in the batting order has his indelible mark that only he can fill in the Australian line up and it will be a moist and poignant moment for the followers across the cricketing world. Phil Hughes remains in the heart of the cricket lovers, forever 63 Not Out.
Valleyz.Blog
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
MS Dhoni retires from Test Cricket to continue as Skipper in ODI and T20 formats of the game
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement from Test Cricket has come as a shocking news to many people across the cricketing world. Even though MSD fared a little low this year in terms of averages, he is still the No.1 Wicket-Keeper batsmen that any team in the world would like to have.
Perhaps the sporting acumen and his vision of Indian cricket has forced him to take such a drastic decision. MSD lead from the front and Indian team was a force to reckon with when playing at home. He understood the strengths of every player very well and his cricketing acumen kept him in the good books of administrators for a long time.
MSD led India to World No 1 Test rankings during his stint as the captain and won many fans across the world. He led at a time when India was at it's peak in the International Test arena, consisting of players of calibre like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan. India won Test matches across the world with regular tenacity.
After the retirement of the stalwarts it was the crucial phase of rebuilding the team with new comers and he handled that pressure too quite well. Only the results went dry and that went heavy on his captaincy record watched by a cricket crazy fans. The pressure was there to win abroad quickly and off late the teams fledgling fortunes overseas particularly the series in England and Australia should have influenced his decision.
After Ganguly and Azharuddin, MS Dhoni is most succesful captain in Indian cricket, who handled the job of being the skipper of the Indian team with great maturity and acumen and recorded a handsome winning percentage, that won him many fans across the cricketing world. His decision to retire has left many in this nation of cricket lovers sad and humbled.
Valleyz.Blog
Perhaps the sporting acumen and his vision of Indian cricket has forced him to take such a drastic decision. MSD lead from the front and Indian team was a force to reckon with when playing at home. He understood the strengths of every player very well and his cricketing acumen kept him in the good books of administrators for a long time.
MSD led India to World No 1 Test rankings during his stint as the captain and won many fans across the world. He led at a time when India was at it's peak in the International Test arena, consisting of players of calibre like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan. India won Test matches across the world with regular tenacity.
After the retirement of the stalwarts it was the crucial phase of rebuilding the team with new comers and he handled that pressure too quite well. Only the results went dry and that went heavy on his captaincy record watched by a cricket crazy fans. The pressure was there to win abroad quickly and off late the teams fledgling fortunes overseas particularly the series in England and Australia should have influenced his decision.
After Ganguly and Azharuddin, MS Dhoni is most succesful captain in Indian cricket, who handled the job of being the skipper of the Indian team with great maturity and acumen and recorded a handsome winning percentage, that won him many fans across the cricketing world. His decision to retire has left many in this nation of cricket lovers sad and humbled.
Valleyz.Blog
Monday, December 29, 2014
Defensive Australia seeks safe total to declare on fifth day to draw the third test at MCG
Australia managed to take a handsome lead of 326 runs at the end of 4th days play, yet the side was not able to pose a fighting total and continued to play at a very slow pace and shows that Australia are on the defensive and do not want to provide any chance for the visitors to come back in the series.
It is a clear ploy that either they want to win or draw with no possibility of losing the match. It is not sporting for a side to play for five days and yet does not want to see any competitor in it's sights. It feels like Aussie doesn't want to see an entertainer but a series securing draw, so that it pleases their rankings and stats. And it wants India to chase a in-surmountable total in as many less overs as possible.
Strategy is in contrast to what Virat Kohli did at Adelaide and went on the chase a total and lost the match in pursuit of victory. If a side is chasing down a total at a net rate of 4 and more an over credit goes to the side that is doing it and not otherwise.
The reason for this scenario developed as Indian bowlers managed to run through the Australia middle order and scalped four middle order batsmen from 131/2 to 202/6 with loss of Smith, Rogers, Burns and Haddin in the space of 70 odd runs. That slowed down Australia and they went on the defensive strategy.
Unlike the first Test at Adelaide that Mitchell Marsh played, and had clear instructions to go after the bowling, and he did that scoring very fast with Steve Smith at the other end, and Australia declared the innings that evening on the fourth day itself.
With three wickets in hand Australia are playing defensive here at MCG to put up a more defensive total than a fighting one, it is eating up time in the match and would force the opposition to play for a draw instead of a result, that would make it a very boring contest in the end.
What would Australia do on a fifth day of a test match with three wickets still in hand, Why didn't it fast paced the innings and declare on fourth day, so that it could be a sporting contest?
Valleyz.Blog
It is a clear ploy that either they want to win or draw with no possibility of losing the match. It is not sporting for a side to play for five days and yet does not want to see any competitor in it's sights. It feels like Aussie doesn't want to see an entertainer but a series securing draw, so that it pleases their rankings and stats. And it wants India to chase a in-surmountable total in as many less overs as possible.
Strategy is in contrast to what Virat Kohli did at Adelaide and went on the chase a total and lost the match in pursuit of victory. If a side is chasing down a total at a net rate of 4 and more an over credit goes to the side that is doing it and not otherwise.
The reason for this scenario developed as Indian bowlers managed to run through the Australia middle order and scalped four middle order batsmen from 131/2 to 202/6 with loss of Smith, Rogers, Burns and Haddin in the space of 70 odd runs. That slowed down Australia and they went on the defensive strategy.
Unlike the first Test at Adelaide that Mitchell Marsh played, and had clear instructions to go after the bowling, and he did that scoring very fast with Steve Smith at the other end, and Australia declared the innings that evening on the fourth day itself.
With three wickets in hand Australia are playing defensive here at MCG to put up a more defensive total than a fighting one, it is eating up time in the match and would force the opposition to play for a draw instead of a result, that would make it a very boring contest in the end.
What would Australia do on a fifth day of a test match with three wickets still in hand, Why didn't it fast paced the innings and declare on fourth day, so that it could be a sporting contest?
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
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 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
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
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
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Cricket administration in India is to blame for the team's debacle overseas so consistently.
There cannot be any justification for the batsmen to present any excuses when they are not performing, that is the what the game is all about, if you're out, you must leave the crease.
Now if you keep claiming that such and such thing happened that's why I got out is a lame excuse to the glaring reality and fact that you've been caught behind on a legal rising delivery that was up to your throat and you ought to have left it alone, and you could not fend it off (blame it on your technique or become superstitious). You could not keep it out and that's a failure.
Accept it as a part and parcel of the game, agree you lost fairly and squarely and move on, that is what sportsmanship is all about.
Unfortunately, our batsmen are in their dreams eternally, when they suddenly wake up on a day three pitch to a fiery spell from Australia's most prolific and fastest left arm bowling action from Johnson. That's always music to any batsman's ears in the world.
Are Indian batsmen colour blind or what, can't they spot the pitch of the delivery and leave those short in your throat deliveries, can't they duck? no, no, no it's the flaw in their technique and temperament, that is honed on sub-continental yawning pitches, where the ball takes a huge effort from a speedster even to rise below the waist of the batsmen.
The greatness of any batsmen or a bowler of a touring team is measured on how one's own performance contributes to the team's overall success in over coming the challenges on a foreign tour, exposing your limited experience to overcome them with sheer brilliance and discipline.
Presenting the excuse of an inexperienced side or a match day mishap is just so lame, that you are shirking from taking responsibility that you've consciously taken a decision to do so. Who would buy that?
Honestly speaking, in India the Crickets as a sport has been heavily politicized and monetized, and as such talent is hindered showing up regularly, gone are the days of a reliable middle order or a solid opening pair or mercurial spinners or a genuine all-rounder .
Here we have a so called 'inexperienced' side which is always in the process of getting 'experienced' for half a decade before winning a single game of a Test match overseas.
Why are our Test players so lacking in technique and temperament, Why the team has been exposed very badly overseas on the seaming and bouncy pitches?
Our batsmen make tons of runs in domestic games even internationally, but hardly score a fifty when the situation demands, they simply go into a shell and they won't come out of it until they are back playing on the home turf notching a 'scintillating double ton' belting the same speedsters that they cannot defend even for a few overs when overseas.
There is something awfully wrong to say that Indian players can't compete internationally. It's the complete failure of the Cricket administration in India to have brought the team in such a precarious mess, that you always look up to players like Tendulkar's, Kohli's every time in a match to save the team from sporting disasters overseas.
If the mindset of the cricket administration in India, is just to 'manage' the things than winning a series or two in over half a decade overseas, is like bringing bad name to the overall health of the sport in the country, no one will want to side with a team which loses and loses. Accepting defeats consistently is mediocrity.
It is Cricket administration in India to blame for the team's debacle overseas so consistently.
Valleyz.Blog
Now if you keep claiming that such and such thing happened that's why I got out is a lame excuse to the glaring reality and fact that you've been caught behind on a legal rising delivery that was up to your throat and you ought to have left it alone, and you could not fend it off (blame it on your technique or become superstitious). You could not keep it out and that's a failure.
Accept it as a part and parcel of the game, agree you lost fairly and squarely and move on, that is what sportsmanship is all about.
Unfortunately, our batsmen are in their dreams eternally, when they suddenly wake up on a day three pitch to a fiery spell from Australia's most prolific and fastest left arm bowling action from Johnson. That's always music to any batsman's ears in the world.
Are Indian batsmen colour blind or what, can't they spot the pitch of the delivery and leave those short in your throat deliveries, can't they duck? no, no, no it's the flaw in their technique and temperament, that is honed on sub-continental yawning pitches, where the ball takes a huge effort from a speedster even to rise below the waist of the batsmen.
The greatness of any batsmen or a bowler of a touring team is measured on how one's own performance contributes to the team's overall success in over coming the challenges on a foreign tour, exposing your limited experience to overcome them with sheer brilliance and discipline.
Presenting the excuse of an inexperienced side or a match day mishap is just so lame, that you are shirking from taking responsibility that you've consciously taken a decision to do so. Who would buy that?
Honestly speaking, in India the Crickets as a sport has been heavily politicized and monetized, and as such talent is hindered showing up regularly, gone are the days of a reliable middle order or a solid opening pair or mercurial spinners or a genuine all-rounder .
Here we have a so called 'inexperienced' side which is always in the process of getting 'experienced' for half a decade before winning a single game of a Test match overseas.
Why are our Test players so lacking in technique and temperament, Why the team has been exposed very badly overseas on the seaming and bouncy pitches?
Our batsmen make tons of runs in domestic games even internationally, but hardly score a fifty when the situation demands, they simply go into a shell and they won't come out of it until they are back playing on the home turf notching a 'scintillating double ton' belting the same speedsters that they cannot defend even for a few overs when overseas.
There is something awfully wrong to say that Indian players can't compete internationally. It's the complete failure of the Cricket administration in India to have brought the team in such a precarious mess, that you always look up to players like Tendulkar's, Kohli's every time in a match to save the team from sporting disasters overseas.
If the mindset of the cricket administration in India, is just to 'manage' the things than winning a series or two in over half a decade overseas, is like bringing bad name to the overall health of the sport in the country, no one will want to side with a team which loses and loses. Accepting defeats consistently is mediocrity.
It is Cricket administration in India to blame for the team's debacle overseas so consistently.
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
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
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