England In India - October 2011/12

[ferg512]

Could someone tell me why Dhoni isn't playing?? This is pretty embarrassing for India although I'm sure they'll come good for the tests.

 

[aussie1st]

Always good to see India struggle Doesn't mean much though until the actual series starts but I'll enjoy the sight.

 

[Insomniac]

I wish this game was being televised

 

[Cricketman]

Holy ████! What has Sreesanth been eating the last 2 months!? Rather, how much!?

Before World Cup: <snip>


Now: <snip>

Pretty sure those Nike adverts were 'shooped anyway. Both for Kohli and Sree. And the Pepsi ones where the bodies were painted... no way is Sehwag this skinny

 

[angryangy]

Oh yeah, that makes me want a Coke.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Lol, quite a poor performance in a warmup tbh.

Our bowling attack really worries us. Not worried about Zak, he's probably not going full throttle, just easing himself in. Munaf was his tight, usual self. But Sree and Mishra go missing way too often. Both can be so good when they get in right, but when they don't, they're horrid.

Didn't expect Yuvi and Raina to get picked off so easily tho.

 

[jacobfelix]

If play happens today, I don't think Somerset will enforce the follow-on; surely the ECB wouldn't want Indian batsmen batting again and getting some runs, some form and confidence just before the Test. On the other hand, if Somerset enforce the follow-on and go on to win, then the damage inflicted on the Indian team will be much more. So, I don't know which way the thinking will go.

 

[aditya123]

Anyone making too much of this has not seen India play abroad in the last 5 or 6 years. This is the way they begin. By the time the second test starts, they should be up and running. We fared horrifically against a Queensland second Xi before the 2003 Australia tour and we all know what happened since then. Durban 2010??

Im suprised how many are overreacting to this warm up game. Half the side is playing their first competitive fixture after a long time, its understandable. Whats actually positive here is that all of them bar Yuvraj got starts and batted for a reasonable amount of time. The bowlers would have got some overs under their belt and thats what matters in these games.

 

[Owzat]

If play happens today, I don't think Somerset will enforce the follow-on; surely the ECB wouldn't want Indian batsmen batting again and getting some runs, some form and confidence just before the Test. On the other hand, if Somerset enforce the follow-on and go on to win, then the damage inflicted on the Indian team will be much more. So, I don't know which way the thinking will go.

Somerset may well enforce the follow-on, but if I were the ECB I'd want them to bat again and deny the Indians batting practice. Not sure they'll be too bothered about Indian confidence, the team is hardly lacking in it and a warm up defeat would be written off (psychologically) quite easily



Interesting the BBC is focusing on whether Broad or Bresnan will play. Personally I'm no big fan of Bresnan, too bits n pieces for Tests. For me the only question from the last Test is who replaces Broad. The Test side is much more settled than the one day side. Bresnan has a decent Test record so far, thanks in part to playing Bangladesh and West Indies, and a couple of decent Tests against a declining Australia. With six batsmen, a batting keeper, Swann in the side, and Tremlett able to hold a bat, I'd favour a bowler out and out over any batting considerations. It's 'nice' to have a few runs in the lower order, but with only four bowlers it is important to maximise wicket taking potential as much as possible too.

 

[iridescentt]

For teh lulz, way to get rolled.

 

[Haarithan]

Right call imo.

England v India: Bresnan recalled as Broad keeps place | Cricket News | England v India 2011 | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[barmyarmy]

Finn dropped. Remains to be seen if Broad will keep his places ahead of Bresnan in the XI but I suspect that he will.

 

[Haarithan]

Yea Bresnan is a more likely starter. He's more suited to bowling in decks like the one at Lord's & MCG.

 

[Owzat]

Can't say as I agree with the selectors, Broad should have been left out but then he took five wickets for his county (three rabbits) so they'll feel it is justified despite an ongoing lack of form for England. I doubt it will go down well with those aspiring bowlers who are overlooked in deference to a passenger. I'd be fuming if I was Finn. England have had a habit of sticking with out of form players way too long, hoping they'll play themselves back into form and not considering the detrimental effect it can have on the team - and those not picked

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

I dont know why but I have a feeling that fletcher's reign as coach will be similar to greg chapples