Showing posts with label Tests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tests. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

India looking ahead to win Ranchi Test and win the series

Like Pune, Ranchi is also making it's Test debut, so no team knows the nature of the pitch and are evenly placed after both  sides are tied 1-1 at the start of third Test in four Test series.

India after three failures in successive innings spanning Pune and Bengaluru Test, regained their batting form in the 2nd innings. Though it is a positive sign, the team is still not out of the red. That gives Australia a little bit of marginal advantage.

Australia has done decently with the bat, their lower order came to rescue in first Test and batsmen are spending good time at the pitch, if they continue with same form, they can give India tough time.

But given the home conditions, Indian spinners can unsettle Australia. The major plus for Australia is their spinners, if they manage to bowl like they bowl in first three innings, India will find it difficult to defend.

Toss will be crucial as always, team winning the Toss will bat first to be able to bowl last on this wicket when the cracks have opened up. But there is a caveat if the Team collapses like in Bengaluru in first Test it will be difficult for hosts.

India have the upper edge as they have experience but Australia can Test India for any failures.

After DRS controversy both the team will be looking to go ahead and win the series. Injury to Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh means new seamer in Pat Cummins and explosive batsman Glenn Maxwell will replace them.

 Valleyz.Blog

Sunday, December 20, 2015

West Indies can fight back in the Boxing day Test at the MCG

Things not looking rosy for the West Indies Cricket, as there are widespread media reports about the game being in danger in the Caribbean Islands.

West Indies abandoned the Tour of India mid-way when it last toured India. Recently several commentators of the game including Michael Holding have voiced their concerns.

I think there should be a way out of the present scenario. The acrimony between the players and the board should be sorted out at the earliest.

Holding blasts WICB as dysfunctional , untrustworthy - The Hindu

 The team is touring Australia now, and has lost the first Test inside three days at Hobart.

 Does the state of affairs reflect on the players, too tough to say, but would be happy to believe that isn't the case and the team come back strongly in the Boxing day Test at the beautiful and picturesque Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In the meantime Australia broadcaster Nine seem to have prepared for all the contingencies if the visitors loose again badly in the Boxing Day Test and the New Year Test as both dominate the Australian Cricket scene in Australia.

 Cricket: What will happen to Nine if the West Indies can't perform? - Sydney Morning Herald

West Indies seem to have been little out of touch in the Hobart game, but MCG is also a tough venue will be much similar to the Hobart pitch, bowlers especially need to look for early breakthroughs and should not allow Australia score easily.

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