Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India in Australia) Dec-Jan 2011/12

[Aalay]

30 overs and 144 runs to win.

I don't know about Sehwag but Rahane is in horrible form. But still he is a quality player.

Gambhir has got some runs which is important.

 

[angryangy]

Target is 145, must be feeling confident, because there's not much chance of them getting more than 50 more overs of bowling.

 

[teamindia]

ponting has acquired some news in his hand

What?

 

[Aalay]

So Ishant Sharma is bowling. Not injured?

 

[alexczarn]

Well well well, the squad is announced, no Watson or Khawaja OR HUGHES, Hilfenhaus recalled.

 

[teamindia]

Well well well, the squad is announced, no Watson or Khawaja OR HUGHES, Hilfenhaus recalled.

So this guy Cowan is in. Why were Khawaja and Hughes sent to open the innings in the practice match? Should have given warner and cowan some practice instead;

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Posted via Mobile Device

Well Ishant bowling is something which has made my day

 

[Sedition]

13-man squad:
Michael Clarke (c), Dan Christian, Ed Cowan, Brad Haddin (vc), Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Apparently Christian will only play if Marsh is ruled out, and Hilfy vs. Starc for the 4th bowler role. Good to see some common sense from the selectors leaving Harris and Bollinger out.

 

[midgetwars]

OMG, khawaja made a 50. Too little too late.

 

[SaiSrini]

So Ishant coming back has quelled the fears about him. Its now certain that Dhoni does not want Zaheer to overwork himself in this game, and so is not bowling him too much here which is good. On the whole, the side is settled now with players getting a good workout in the middle. Rohit Sharma, Kohli, Ashwin and Gambhir have impressed so far in this game. Of course, Sachin, Dravid and Laxman getting good hits in the previous game is also a big positive.

Now eagerly waiting for Dec 26th at the MCG! Should hopefully be an electric atmosphere with full crowds (even though Australia dont have many of their their star players when both these teams clashed last time Down Under). If the quality of cricket is high, thats enough.

 

[formula1man]

I felt that Cowan would have been cover for Marsh but it appears its Christian who is cover for Marsh, I think Christian has to play.
In reality Ponting and Hussey will be playing, they wouldnt name them if they werent going to play, but Ideally for Sydney I'd like to see this

Warner
Watson
Marsh
Clarke
Cowan
Christian

This would mean Watson can stay opening but cut down on his bowling, let him be a 6th option rather then 5th. coz the problem with Test Cricket is too many allrounders in the domestic scene. They are only going to be useful for T20 now hoping the ICC implement the CA rule of being able to bowl 13 overs.

Khawaja and Hughes have talent but just need to get some runs to build confidence, Khawaja specifically hasnt really had a chance to evaluate test cricket and go back to FC cricket and improving himself.

I still think if Ponting and Hussey retire now they have a lot to offer domestic cricket. Hussey particularly. WA could really use him to help us improve our one day form specifically. He would be a big draw card too. But when Watson comes back, with Clarke and Haddin, that is enough experience.

 

[War]

But Australia also can't bat on green pitches anymore.

Of course AUS current batting line-up has had its fair deal of problems facing decent to very good quicks on pacer friendly pitches over the last 2-3 years. But once they have most their best quicks over the course of this four test series vs IND, I would back AUS batting to withstand IND quicks on such surfaces more often that IND ageing batting countering that of AUS.

Anyway looking at AUS squad that has now been officially picked:

- Cowan obviously deserves to be their.

- Christian ATM is a bad choice for reasons already mentioned by me. No other all-rounder in AUS other than Watson is test standard enough to play in the top 7. With him injured you either back the 3 quicks + Lyon or play 4 quicks if the conditions suite. It makes no sense picking a sub-standard all-rounder to weaken an already vulnerable top six.

- Slight Nervous about the inclusion of Hilfy. Of course word fairly consistently from all who have seen him bowl in domestic cricket is that he is got his swing back.

But damn i haven't since him bowl since his ill fated Ashes 2010/11 campaign where he really lost it, so I really hope the selectors are sure Hilfy has 100% found back the swing that made him such a good bowler from S Africa 2009 - India 2010.

 

[Haarithan]

Hope Christian makes the XI man cut now. MCG and SCG demand such players in the XI. It worked for England with Bresnan in the Ashes down under.

Personally I'd go with

Warner
Cowan
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Christian
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon

MCG England side

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior
Bresnan
Swann
Anderson
Tremlett

 

[Sedition]

No way they'd pick Christian as our 3rd seamer. Other than covering for Marsh, he may get last minute selection over Hussey in the first test, but I doubt it.

 

[aussie1st]

Nice to see Cowan rewarded, he couldn't have done anything more than he did.

Got a feeling Starc will keep his spot, could end up being very messy if that is the case.