South Africa's tour of India - October/December 2015

[War]

Nagpur pitch rated 'poor' by ICC | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[PokerAce]

'We'll put up an honourable fight' - SA assistant coach Birrell | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

You know I suspect the SA teams that toured India in the past would not have been talking about just putting up an honorable fight. There is a touch of resignation about that quote.

Anyway here is a look at pitch where the final test is to be played. Make of it what you will -

Whatever green is there will go, but looking at the surface it seems a good hard surface to me. Should have runs on it. There are some cracks that will open up as the game goes along.

 

[stefan]

Looks good from that picture, lets see how it looks on match day.

 

[CerealKiller]

India HAVE to win this. I've got all my vCash on them

 

[PokerAce]

^ I had half my vCash on India to win the Bangalore test. At end of first day, SA 214 all out, India 80/0. I was like what a brilliant move, and then it rains

 

[themusketeer]

Going to watch match tomorrow. First time in a live match. Catch me on tv.

 

[zwarrior]

Only time before this an India captain won all the tosses in a Test series involving 4 or more matches. MAK Pataudi, v Eng, '63-64.

Found it in twitter.

 

[PokerAce]

I often don't get the rationale behind Kohli's selections. Umesh in for Mishra, okay, but what wrong has Varun Aaron done, been the best Indian seamer in the series if you ask me. Yet Varun not in the final XI.

Not complaining, I mean Kohli afterall has led India to a first win in SL for 23 years and now has beaten the #1 side in the world in a no contest of a series.

However his selections, be it Varun being dropped today, or Binny being backed, etc. don't always make sense to me.

 

[PokerAce]

Thats a no ball if you ask me, I see a bit of the white line behind the heel, so that means no part of the foot behind the crease and hence a no ball. Very harsh, yes, but nothing behind the line. No Ball by a few centimeters at worst, but No Ball nevertheless.[DOUBLEPOST=1449119074][/DOUBLEPOST]Once again Amla not being brought into the attack first up. SA have done this all through the series, baffling.

 

[PokerAce]

Never thought I was ever going to say this, but Dhawan as looked more assured against the seamers this morning, than Vijay. Never thought would get to say that.

 

[zwarrior]

^Was about to say the same thing.

 

[aditya123]

I often don't get the rationale behind Kohli's selections. Umesh in for Mishra, okay, but what wrong has Varun Aaron done, been the best Indian seamer in the series if you ask me. Yet Varun not in the final XI.

Not complaining, I mean Kohli afterall has led India to a first win in SL for 23 years and now has beaten the #1 side in the world in a no contest of a series.

However his selections, be it Varun being dropped today, or Binny being backed, etc. don't always make sense to me.

In fact, if anything I would`ve played both Varun and Yadav this game. Ishant on Indian tracks does`nt inspire much.

 

[PokerAce]

Good tough opening session of a test match. Seamers were in business for the most part of the session. North India is the place where the seamers are going to find most help, with the winter either setting in or already there.

The weather would be a part of the adjustment as well for SA, as Nagur down South was still very much in the summer territory, and to then move to winters setting in Delhi, with its chilly morning and evenings, would not be easy.

I would first session to India though. Runs on offer here, but some signs that batting will soon get a lot tougher, as already we have seen some dirt flying off the surface and some balls keeping rather low. The seamers would be encouraged that their bouncers are being taken chest high by the keeper, as opposed to being taken around the ankles on second bounce in Nagpur.

 

[zwarrior]

^ I had half my vCash on India to win the Bangalore test. At end of first day, SA 214 all out, India 80/0. I was like what a brilliant move, and then it rains

Can you tell me more about vcash ? I don't know how to use it.

Ahh! Dhawan is gone

 

[stefan]

Thats a no ball if you ask me, I see a bit of the white line behind the heel, so that means no part of the foot behind the crease and hence a no ball. Very harsh, yes, but nothing behind the line. No Ball by a few centimeters at worst, but No Ball nevertheless.[DOUBLEPOST=1449119074][/DOUBLEPOST]Once again Amla not being brought into the attack first up. SA have done this all through the series, baffling.

Frankly don't get bowlers who consistently bowl no balls like abbot & morkel, no reason to get that close. Its just silly, almost as silly as umpires only checking when its a wicket with countless other no balls being missed.

Been impressed by Piedt so far.

I presume you Tahir and not amla. Think it has to do with amla wanting to keep pressure on and tahir always bowling the odd loose ball.