Australia's Tour Of India - 2008

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Avroneel, either you're saying he's not a fantastic captain but still the best Australia have ever had.

Or, you're saying he's been the best captain since Steve Waugh which goes without saying since he's been the only captain after Waugh.

TBF, Sohum, all Australian bowlers do that. They've all been twats. Zaheer Khan's not a treat either.

What about English bowlers ? They are an absolute gentleman ?

 

[evertonfan]

No, they aren't.

 

[Leggie]

Once again it was Indian's being out of order. First Zaheer Khan and now this. No need for it. I know people get fired up, however, there is being agressive and being out of order. Kumble should take certain players aside and tell them to wind it back in

Okay, Zaheer was out of order, I admit that.

But Gambhir? Nononono. This was Watson's fault, He was one who was on the recieving end on most of this...Watson constantly in his ear throughout the whole day -- Won't he feel like a twat after seldging a batsman all day and not even getting him out. As you can clearly see in this video Gambhir did nothing to retaliate when Watson was obsessed in firing some wrods at Gambhir after every ball (slight exaggeration). Also you can see that he was just moving his arms as you do when you run between the wickets so it could provide with a certain aspect called balance...

In this article, He mentions controlling his anger at the bowlers...But now he has learned to control that and it clearly showed today. Well played Gautam Gambhir, Awaiting a double ton tomorrow.

 

[irottev]

Watson is a dick on the field. I've always said it. I'm not surprised.

Australia-wise, they have a lot of work to do obviously. Belter of a pitch. I think they're weak in the spinner department (obviously). I said from the start White wasn't going to make it at test level. He's a handy one day/20twenty all-rounder but I thought his spin was part time. He hardly spins and ball and lacks control. I think Lee's looking a bit rusty, Clark's just getting back but was tight and accurate and Johnson bowls some great balls and some rubbish in between.

I actually think Australia miss Symonds a lot for bowling. He has a very handy test bowling record. Gives the captain a lot of options. They may be lacking his energy and presence a bit too.

We have to play Australia next and by just looking at the line-up it seems like it may be a good time to play them. We might not get steamrolled like everyone would expect.

India-wise. Gambhir is really making his name. He looks great out there. Great defense and can play all the shots. He has a lot of guts too, coming down and hitting Watson for six for his hundred was pretty brave. If he had mistimed it straight up some would call it dumb. Sometimes players (especially new ones) get bogged down and lose momentum for their teams and the pressure builds, but he didn't lat that happen. Really good prospect for India. Now Australia have to break this partnership. VVS Aussie Smasher Laxman looks great too. Ganguly and Dhoni to come even!

 

[aussie1st]

You are quite simply wrong. Steve Waugh is probably the best captain in this generation, apart from Stephen Fleming and Michael Vaughan. Ponting is a great batsman but as a captain he is quite average. Anyone who claims Ponting is a better captain than Steve Waugh needs to be given a primer on Test cricket in the 90's. It was Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor who built the foundations for the Australian juggernaut of the last two decades.

Some say Taylor was a better captain than Waugh. I didn't see enough of this as it wasn't something that bothered me during Taylor's era. But Waugh certainly was always aggressive and one step ahead. Ponting has always been a poor captain, we lost the Ashes because of it. He can produce the captains knock but his field placement and bowling choices are very poor. They in part have lead to our spinners being whacked all over the place.

 

[Inbox24]

I must say here, even though I am an Australian fan, that Watson's behaviour was quite shocking and uncalled for. I mean, why do such a thing just to stir up some trouble?

 

[Arunava]

Exactly, this time it isn't Gambhir's fault. I don't know no how some guys can point fingers on him. Aussies constantly were poking him - trying to break his concentration or whatever. They physically tried to block him for runs - wow. Crazy. lol. Go Gautam Go. .I want to see a double ton tomorrow.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Some say Taylor was a better captain than Waugh. I didn't see enough of this as it wasn't something that bothered me during Taylor's era. But Waugh certainly was always aggressive and one step ahead. Ponting has always been a poor captain, we lost the Ashes because of it. He can produce the captains knock but his field placement and bowling choices are very poor. They in part have lead to our spinners being whacked all over the place.

He played a captains knock and saved us once in that 05 Tour.

Warne drop KP at slip in 5th test and thats one of the reason we lost. I am not blaming Warnie fully but that catch was really vital.

Steve is definately a better captain and was master of filed placements. Under Punter we won 2 worldcups in a row that also unbeaten

WORLD CHAMPIONS added 2 Minutes and 28 Seconds later...

I must say here, even though I am an Australian fan, that Watson's behaviour was quite shocking and uncalled for. I mean, why do such a thing just to stir up some trouble?

I agree it was Wotto's fault, he tried to stir him but Gambhir elbowed him ( a total physical atatck) regarding Katich things as far i have seen Katman is a very quiet and calm person on the other hand we know how is Gambhir in field, specially his behaviour and ........

 

[aussie1st]

He played a captains knock and saved us once in that 05 Tour.

Warne drop KP at slip in 5th test and thats one of the reason we lost. I am not blaming Warnie fully but that catch was really vital.

Playing captains knock to "save" us isn't good. His poor choices as captain before the knock meant he had to make up. What he played in the 1st test is the captains knock you want. Sadly he didn't back that up when trying to bowl India out and from that point on India has always been on top.

 

[karnog]

Notice how Clarke stepped in and not Ponting. Ponting has never been a great mediator nor does he provide calm. He doesn't know how to manage a lesser team. Waugh did but Taylor had that gift of calming players down. Keeping the lesser or more temperental players focused on their games. The best i saw was in Fleming especially in controlling Chris Cairns.

Ponting's saving grace was his ability to take games away- he could set up or save a game with a bat even as captain. Thats a great quality but sadly its close to his only quality.

 

[aussie1st]

Just thinking about it, those Captain knock he plays is why hes in the team. Hes there to bat and what he does best is adapt to the situation. Certainly doesn't need a C next to his name to play those knocks. The captain is there as a strategist not for his ability to play captains knocks.

 

[zub2005]

as much as the aussies were yapping away at gambhir, you cant do physical contact with another player. just hope its a warning nothing else. katich was wrong in my, you cant stop a player from running.

 

[SaiSrini]

Watson had this thing with Gambhir throughout the day. He was clearly not happy with the way Gambhir batted, and he vented all his anger of not getting Gambhir out, at the man himself. Whenever Gambhir stepped out against Watson, he was seething in anger (as if he's the world's best bowler and that batsmen should not step out against him).

But Gambhir would be fined, and probably should be too. Physical contact wont be excused. But it shouldnt be too harsh, because these Aussie players are very good in verbal warfare, and indians are not as smart in giving back only in words (we are improving, but way behind still)

 

[pal]

But it shouldnt be too harsh, because these Aussie players are very good in verbal warfare, and indians are not as smart in giving back only in words (we are improving, but way behind still)

Does it really matter? Sledging is over-rated. Some of the Indian players presumably don't speak or understand English at a fluent level, not that it matters. As long as we can manage to bat and take wickets with success and consistency, as we've been doing, I think it's really a non-issue if the opponents wish to chatter away in a simian fashion.

 

[SaiSrini]

Okay, Zaheer was out of order, I admit that.

But Gambhir? Nononono. This was Watson's fault, He was one who was on the recieving end on most of this...Watson constantly in his ear throughout the whole day -- Won't he feel like a twat after seldging a batsman all day and not even getting him out. As you can clearly see in this video Gambhir did nothing to retaliate when Watson was obsessed in firing some wrods at Gambhir after every ball (slight exaggeration). Also you can see that he was just moving his arms as you do when you run between the wickets so it could provide with a certain aspect called balance....

Wow, just checked out the video. Its all the anguish of the Australian bowlers at not being able to dislodge Gambhir. When Gambhir stepped out to Katich, he got angry and had a few words with Gambhir. And he was obstructing Gambhir in that run when Laxman hit the ball down the pitch. Watson should also be punished (for putting up his hand in front of Gambhir while he ran). Not sure if Katich will also be. But obviously, the fault is on the side of the Aussies.