England in India

[zimrahil]

England's problem of removing tail-enders strikes again.

That's just what I am thinking - Grrrrrrrr

India all out 279 - lead of 121 for england

I sincerely hope, assuming we don't get bowled out cheaply, that England have 2 solid sessions tomorrow, and declare around tea time with a lead of around 400

That would leave them 4 sessions to bowl India out, and even though that gives India enough time to maybe win, then its a risk worth taking imo, as you might as well lose 2-0 in an attempt to level it 1-1, than play it safe and probably then lose series 1-0

 

[m_vaughan]

That's just what I am thinking - Grrrrrrrr

India all out 279 - lead of 121 for england

I sincerely hope, assuming we don't get bowled out cheaply, that England have 2 solid sessions tomorrow, and declare around tea time with a lead of around 400

That would leave them 4 sessions to bowl India out, and even though that gives India enough time to maybe win, then its a risk worth taking imo, as you might as well lose 2-0 in an attempt to level it 1-1, than play it safe and probably then lose series 1-0

Absolutely. Graeme Smith took that risk against Australia, and although it dint pay off in the end, I thought it showed his desire to win, than to play safe.

 

[Cricket_60]

The Indian's are fielding terribly, I think they have grassed around 7 catches

Good batting by England to get to 400, in particular Strauss and Shah

 

[s2sschan]

Wankhede

That's just what I am thinking - Grrrrrrrr

India all out 279 - lead of 121 for england

I sincerely hope, assuming we don't get bowled out cheaply, that England have 2 solid sessions tomorrow, and declare around tea time with a lead of around 400

That would leave them 4 sessions to bowl India out, and even though that gives India enough time to maybe win, then its a risk worth taking imo, as you might as well lose 2-0 in an attempt to level it 1-1, than play it safe and probably then lose series 1-0

Getting 400 in the 4th innings at Wankhede is almost impossible for any batting line-up, let alone the out-of-form Indian order.

 

[barmyarmy]

Still a good shout for a draw though especially if Dravid gets in. Will be listening with interest.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Sreesanth finds the nick of Udal (Nightwatchman) huge appeal, NOT OUT!! 2 poor decisions this match. The Snicko showed no edge, replays did however, and there was a hiuge noise - Bat in air, away from thigh pad, above the stumps.
And then Sreesanth finds the edge of Udal, goes straight to Yuvraj, in his hands, AND DROPPED!! Sreesanth must have had like 20 wicket chances lost in his career so far, right? And thats only a handful of ODIs and 1 1/2 test matches...
England 2 down at stumps for not much.

 

[SaiSrini]

I trust this isn't the wonderful commodity called hindsight being used here




You obviously haven't been watching his fielding performances over the last 12 months then

Well he was great yesterday wasnt he?

A great day of test cricket today! Had everything in it for everyone - great bowling, great catching (Jonesy?), some entertaining batting from Dhoni and Sreesanth(??), a mini revival from India's Sreesanth and Munaf by getting two early England wickets. Cant ask for a better day

England are 150/2! They hold the whip but I get a feeling India are within distance of trying to get hold of the whip before the finish line comes! Tomorrow if Kumble and Harbhajan with the help of Munaf and Sreesanth bowl england out for another 120-130 runs, India might be chasing a target of 270-280 which I think would be a great achievement and a serious hope for an Indian win. I dont think England will go defensive and look to bat India out. They have to win this game and would want the most time to get India out because India are not known to bat out time well. If they have less time, the better for them to bat out a draw!

So the tactics will be very interesting tomorrow. India have to bowl England out for 150-160 runs and chase a total of 270 odd. That would be a fantastic fourth innings. Panesar and Shaun Udal havent been threatening against the Indian batsmen. They will have to again rely on their faster bowlers for running through the Indian batting. And worse if Sehwag or Tendulkar get the runs going, it would be a classic revival for India!

But its advantage England at the moment! They have played brilliantly! They deserve to level the series!

Sreesanth finds the nick of Udal (Nightwatchman) huge appeal, NOT OUT!! 2 poor decisions this match. The Snicko showed no edge, replays did however, and there was a hiuge noise - Bat in air, away from thigh pad, above the stumps.
And then Sreesanth finds the edge of Udal, goes straight to Yuvraj, in his hands, AND DROPPED!! Sreesanth must have had like 20 wicket chances lost in his career so far, right? And thats only a handful of ODIs and 1 1/2 test matches...
England 2 down at stumps for not much.

There was a good cheeky humorous comment from a commentator (probably Shiva!) that the Indians might be sponsored by "Teflon" (just because "it doesn't stick"!)

Getting 400 in the 4th innings at Wankhede is almost impossible for any batting line-up, let alone the out-of-form Indian order.

Dont worry! May be we can chase a target of 300. That would be a realistic chance! The wicket hasnt shown great signs of deteriorating. Yes, its tough to bat but once you get settled, it becomes much easier!

haha let's go future of indian batting sreesanth and kumble lol

Oh man! It was unbelievable! Sreesanth looking like a frontline batsman, going well forward and defending the deliveries from Flintoff, ducking at the right time, leaving balls outside the off stump. For a moment if some one who has not followed Indian cricket had watched, they would have mistaken Sreesanth for a top order batsman! Munaf is our Shoaib Akthar of his early years in batting - he slogs and if it connects, well great!! our tail is quite long these days! Kumble has been batting like a true veteran - playing for the team. His batting form is great in this series. I wish they consider him for the ODI's. He is very useful with his bowling and bit of batting abilities!

 

[RoboRocks]

If England can get 250 (400 lead) in 2 sessions tommorrow, then get India in in the last session then England have a great chance, other wise India could bat out a draw like the first test.

 

[varunvgiri]

Oh man! It was unbelievable! Sreesanth looking like a frontline batsman, going well forward and defending the deliveries from Flintoff, ducking at the right time, leaving balls outside the off stump. For a moment if some one who has not followed Indian cricket had watched, they would have mistaken Sreesanth for a top order batsman! Munaf is our Shoaib Akthar of his early years in batting - he slogs and if it connects, well great!! our tail is quite long these days! Kumble has been batting like a true veteran - playing for the team. His batting form is great in this series. I wish they consider him for the ODI's. He is very useful with his bowling and bit of batting abilities!

Actually, Sreesanth can bat quite a bit. He started off his schools cricket as a batsman and then developed his bowling. Though he has done nothing of substance in first class with the bat.


Well, something needs to be done about Pathans bowling. If he continues to bowl at this sort of pace its hard to get quality batsmen out in unhelpful conditions, however much you move the ball in the air. He has to bowl atleast in the early 130 's. I'm not talking about him being express quick, but a little bit of pace to make his present bowling more effective. I mean if he could do it earlier in his career, then he can do it now also.

 

[BigCrickNan]

Brilliant day for England, despite the 2 wickets at the end. Jimmy is back . England need a lead of at least 400 before they can declare, leaving India possibly an hour yo bat out the day.

 

[varunvgiri]

The Indian feelding has been horrible. We are lacking in good slip fielders. Yuvraj is a great fielder at point but not so in the slips. Slip is specialist position. V.V.S was quite useful in this position. I think its time that we recalled him to the test side. That will solve both our batting and slip fielding woes.

 

[sohum]

I wonder if the coach scolds the players in the dressing room.

England hold all the cards, I feel. It is up to them to win or lose this game.

 

[JamesyJames3]

What a good day for England. Effectively were 150-2. I feel we need 300 and we would feel happy. That is enough for the England seamers to get into them.

Special mention for Gerraint Jones today.. Also, a lot of you may be interested to see there is a chart in this month's Wisden looking at all the keepers, their records, and missed chances etc. Looking at it it's very interesting. Mashud would be the best with the gloves. Patel being the worst. Jones is level pegging with quite a few. Go buy it!

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Masud is an amazing keeper. And Taibu is too.

 

[Stephen Bailey]

What a good day for England. Effectively were 150-2. I feel we need 300 and we would feel happy. That is enough for the England seamers to get into them.

Special mention for Gerraint Jones today.. Also, a lot of you may be interested to see there is a chart in this month's Wisden looking at all the keepers, their records, and missed chances etc. Looking at it it's very interesting. Mashud would be the best with the gloves. Patel being the worst. Jones is level pegging with quite a few. Go buy it!

I'm subcribed to it.

I'm not surprised with Patel being the worst on the list to be honest. Anyway, another top day for England until Strauss and Bell were out. Would like a few more than 300, but yes, 300 would be a good target.