Indian tour of South Africa, December-January 2010/11

[SaiSrini]

The umpiring today has been brilliant. So many decisions where the umpires could have easily made mistakes, they were spot on. If umpiring can be like this, why need the UDRS?

 

[stefan]

The umpiring today has been brilliant. So many decisions where the umpires could have easily made mistakes, they were spot on. If umpiring can be like this, why need the UDRS?

The problem is performance like this happen once in a bluemoon. Both were great today and so far have been spot in in this test.

 

[Adarsh]

The umpiring today has been brilliant. So many decisions where the umpires could have easily made mistakes, they were spot on. If umpiring can be like this, why need the UDRS?

That's not great reasoning. The umpiring in the Ashes with UDRS has been pretty much 100%. Yes, in this test the umpires have been excellent, far better than me watching from TV but as stefan said, it doesn't happen too often. Again, let's not digress into a UDRS argument.

This test series has been a ripper. If India lose this a lot of people will be crushed, including the players, after having fought so hard. Hopefully we can bowl the Saffers out for 200 or so, and then it will be Steyn vs India.

 

[AkshayS]

If India lose this a lot of people will be crushed, including the players, after having fought so hard. Hopefully we can bowl the Saffers out for 200 or so, and then it will be Steyn vs India.

Being a little positive, I think India can chase down anything between 250-300. I know the new ball is crucial here and Steyn in bloody awesome form, but seeing the performances till now in the series, in every innings only 1 batsmen stood up for the cause and India need 2-3 to step up for a chase of 250-300. I think we can do it.
But the main focus now should be settling SA for less than 230 I think.

 

[sohum]

Have to say I'm mildly surprised about India's batting actually standing up in the morning session. The middle/lower order should be disappointed they couldn't capitalize after steady knocks from Sachin/Gambhir but I guess their luck against Steyn eventually ran out. Can't believe it's only Day 3 at the moment. Should be a cracker of a finish. I still have the scales tipped in favour of the Saffers. Unless we bowl them out for about 150-200, I see Steyn ripping us to shreds in the second dig.

Also, like Adarsh said, UDRS can and should be implemented in every series. While this match may have been well officiated, the fact of the matter is eventually there will be a decision that will go for/against us that it is going to raise an uproar. For example the three decisions in the previous Test match that will be used to justify South Africa's loss. When we have the technology, we should be using it. All that remains is for the ICC to figure out how to sponsor it.

 

[War]

Steyn's the one India are afraid of, Morkel to a small extent. Paul Harris on a ripping, dusty, puffy pitch still finds it hard to turn a ball so he's not gonna give the Indian batsmen any nightmares. This is when South Africa would wish they had a spinner who can spin the ball, maybe Imran Tahir can provide them with that.

Paul Harris may not be a Swann & INDs bats of course are great againts spin. But he was spun out opposition before on last day turners, so it could go either way.

 

[Dare]

So did Tendulkar edge that or not?

 

[pcfan123]

Paul Harris may not be a Swann & INDs bats of course are great againts spin. But he was spun out opposition before on last day turners, so it could go either way.

I've been of the belief all series long that Harris is not going to trouble India at all and should have just played an extra seamer instead of him. Would also have taken some stress off Kallis's back.

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Also, time for Amla to step back up tomorrow morning. He threw it away these last few innings.

 

[War]

I've been of the belief all series long that Harris is not going to trouble India at all and should have just played an extra seamer instead of him. Would also have taken some stress off Kallis's back.

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Also, time for Amla to step back up tomorrow morning. He threw it away these last few innings.

Ye based on how the conditions have been all series. SA could have certainly played McLaren or De Wet instead of Harris in all 3 tests, especially if outside influences where forcing them to keep picking Tsotosbe

 

[Adarsh]

So did Tendulkar edge that or not?

He edged it, but it bounced just short of Boucher. Was a tight one. Both Keppler Wessels and Ravi Shastri who were commentating were of the opinion that it bounced just before it landed in Boucher's gloves.

Steyn was amazing today, just so much fun to watch. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, he could do with an inswinger. He has everything in his armoury except that. Yeah I know there's the odd ball like the one on youtube where Bell got one that seamed off the deck but he hasn't bowled an inswinger all series. His LBWs have come off outswingers. He does have a straighter one that he uses to good effect, but if he had an inswinger he'd be doubly deadly. To bowl like he did today and just get 2 wickets is a shame because he could've got more. He's still by far the best bowler in the world, but I dread to think what he could do if he had a real good inswinger. His outswingers are banana balls. I don't think he's swung the ball as much as he did today ever before. Balls pitching on leg and clipping the off stump at 140 kph ! What the hell !

 

[War]

Steyn does have an inswinger though. I remember in 2008 him bowling Michael Vaughan steadily with one & dismissimg Sehwag with it couole times also when SA toured IND in 2008.

Plus early 2010 when he took his 7/51 he was getting serious inswing (although that was reverse inswing with the old ball instead of conventional).

He i guess just odly hasn't bowled one often if at all during this series.

 

[Dare]

He edged it, but it bounced just short of Boucher. Was a tight one. Both Keppler Wessels and Ravi Shastri who were commentating were of the opinion that it bounced just before it landed in Boucher's gloves.

To me that the ball carrying didn't look like an issue it was the edge. From the highlights I saw it looked like Boucher took it clean.

 

[pcfan123]

I sort of agree with Adarsh. but only in that Steyn should USE his inswinger more. it's a lot more subtle and has less swing, so I guess he is a bit hesitant to use it. Yesterday he was beating the edge so much, I was waiting and waiting for that inswinger, especially to Tendulkar who was leaping forward Ponting style but it never came.

He does have it, he doesn't use it enough though. but man was he delicious to watch yesterday

 

[SaiSrini]

To me that the ball carrying didn't look like an issue it was the edge. From the highlights I saw it looked like Boucher took it clean.

There was a zoomed in slow-mo replay that showed the ball just bouncing in front of Boucher's right hand before he pouched it. Thats why Boucher didnt appeal at all (he didnt even go up along with his mates who went up only mildly).

 

[McLOVIN]

I am always confused about these fast bowling terms. This is what happens when you grow up without playing the sport I guess. So can someone explain the difference between a inswing and a reverse swing. Both comes in to a right hander right? Then what the heck is a in cutter, and off cutter? This is so confusing.

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There should be more bowlers like Styen. He is wild! I am watching his bowling from last night right now. Jez! He is the main reason why I am watching this series. I only watched most of SA's bowling innings, except the 2nd test. By looking at the score I am guessing India came back big time. I wanna watch the highlights, but I already know the result. And I hate doing that.

I was hoping for a Styen vs Sehwag battle. But I'd take Styen vs Tendlukar. Sehwag can't score in this.