Story SouthAfrica's International Diary(ICC CT 2009) - Boucher tries to Steady the Ship

[Highlander999]

Keep on going Sachin, get me lot of points Would like Sehwag to get out though, and the Aussie bowlers to be tonked around

Lovely work though

 

[mattfb]

Awesome work here Shan. Great gfx and writing, very good. Sachin and Sehwag are in top form today but they are a little slow in the powerplay overs so they will need to fix that up. They have taken to Tait, it's just that Bracken has been so good.

Great work Shan, kiu!

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Quadrangular Series 2009, Australia
Australia v India
1st Match, Melbourne
End of 10 overs

Aussies Get Rid of Openers​

The Indians had made a steady start to the innings and they needed the two openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to convert the start they had got to a big score. Bracken was bowling brilliantly and he continued to do so with his accurate line and lengths and also variations in pace. Boundaries were becoming difficult to come by and so the two openers were rotating the strike with singles. Shaun Tait who had gone for 26 in his first 5 overs after a long break from international cricket was given a rest and replaced by Mitchell Johnson who came from a poor test series against the Proteas taking a total of 10 wickets in 3 test matches. Mitchell Johnson again failed to get his line and length right and went for 6 singles in his first over. As this partnership was nearing the 50, Bracken who had very impressive today got his reward for his hardwork. Bracken pitched a rare ball on middle and off stump and Sehwag went for the drive but his shot only produced a brilliant catch at point by the debutant David Warner. Indians lost their first wicket in form of Sehwag and he was replaced by Delhi his team-mate Gautam Gambhir at the crease.

Gautam Gambhir had a brilliant 2008 year as he fixed his place in both Test and One-Day teams of India. Gautam Gambhir was off the mark straight way with a single towards long-off. Sachin and Gambhir kept the runs coming and soon Sachin got his 4th boundary of the innings and first on the on-side as he played his favorite on-drive through mid-on and mid-wicket for four. Bracken was given a rest to his 7 over spell where he had just conceded 22 runs at 3.14 runs per over. Shaun Tait was given his second spell after a small rest, but the rest and no change on his bowling as he continued to go for speed instead of accuracy and the two Indian batsman found it easy to score runs. Gambhir who was scoring in ones and twos smashed his first boundary of the match as he cut away Johnson for a four over point. The run-rate had started rise as the two batsman scored at least 6 runs per over. Johnson and Tait were having tough time out there in the middle as both struggled with their line and the left and right combination was adding more problem to them. After bowling 2 overs in the second spell, skipper Ponting decided to give Tait some rest again. Ponting turned towards his number one spinner for the match the local boy Cameron White.

There was a huge cheer when White was given the ball and also received a warm welcome when Sachin Tendulkar smashed him for four of the first ball through mid-on and mid-wicket. Runs were coming of each and every ball and Ponting was running out of Indians. This partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir had already reached in the mid-40s in no time and the Aussies desperately needed a breakthrough over here. Ponting kept his faith in Johnson who had gone for over 6 per over to get the breakthrough. And Johnson didn't upset his captain as he got the all-important wicket of the Little Master Sachin Tendulkar. Johnson who struggled with his line and was continuously pitching on off or outside off stump, pitched the ball on middle and off stump. Sachin when for the cover drive and completely missed the ball and was cleaned bowled. The Aussies were delighted and it was Sachin Tendulkar who had got a great start but failed to convert it went back to the pavilion to be replaced by young Suresh Raina in the middle. Johnson had bowled a brilliant over taking the all-important wicket of Tendulkar and it looked like Johnson was back. Raina took three balls to get of the mark with a single towards deep point.

Indians have increased their scoring rate in this 10 overs but have lost their openers and important wicket of Sachin Tendulkar who surely looked in great touched and was threatening of scoring his third consecutive 50 in Australia.

India: 97/2(20 overs)
Gambhir: 22(25)
Raina: 1(3)
Extras: 7

Last Wicket(s):
Tendulkar b Johnson 45(49)
Sehwag c Warner b Bracken 22(43)

Johnson 5-0-28-1
White 1-0-7-0
Bracken 7-0-22-1
Tatit 7-0-40-0

 

[Jaztheman]

Tendulkar made 45, which is good for my team, and Gambhir is going strong so its good so far for me. Bracken is doing well too, just needs a few wickets. Onto the match, India are in control with their illustrious middle order that can fire as fast as it needs to. Australia need to get Raina out and then a few quick wickets to be in control.

Great presentation, Shan, the writing and graphics are awesome.

 

[saladguy]

I would say that it is a fairly average start for both teams, India are going along nicely yet I have a feeling the Aussies will turn the game with some quickfire wickets

 

[Roofrom50]

I think this game is in the favour of the Aussies at the moment. India would of either Sehwag or Tendulkar to be batting around the 35-40th over mark, or else their middle order will fail. I expect a couple of more quick wickets here from the Aussies, and have India bowled out for 190

 

[mattfb]

Agree with Roo, the Aussies are probably just in front. India are going at a fairly good pace but with Sachin and Sehwag back in the pavilion it will only get harder for India in these next few overs. Tait was as useless as ever, and Bracken as good as ever! Johnson got the huge wicket of Tendulkar but Bracken's was just as important.

Great gfx and writing mate, kiu!

 

[shalin_hitter]

India look to be "down under " pressure.Looking forward to this match and once more great presentation Shantanu.Isn't that star war's font?

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Quadrangular Series 2009, Australia
Australia v India
1st Match, Melbourne
End of 30 overs

Aussies strike but Gambhir reaches 50​

The Indians had made a good start but lost to important wickets in form of their openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. Especially Sachin Tendulkar was the key wicket for the Aussies as he was looking in great form but Johnson got the better of the Little Master. Raina who is in the side thanks to his consistent performances had again a huge role to play here today. Raina started of his innings with singles all over the park and soon he got his first boundary as he cut - Johnson who was again struggling with his length - away and the ball beat the third man fielder for four. Johnson was consistently going for over 7 runs per over and soon in the same over Gambhir smashed him over mid-off for another boundary. Gambhir who had a brilliant 2008 season looked in great touch and he was surely the one who the Indians will be looking to stabilize the innings after the fall of Sachin Tendulkar and he did the same. Boundaries were followed by ones and twos. The two batsman kept on rotating the strike and scored a minimum for 5 runs per over.

Johnson who had gone over 7 runs per over in his first spell of 7 overs was a given a break by Ricky Ponting and gave the ball to Victorian allrounder David Hussey. Again there was a huge roar when Dav Huss was given the ball and he also received a warm welcome from Gambhir as he cut away for a four. Runs were started to come quite easily for the Indians. Singles were all over the place. Gambhir and Raina kept on rotating the strike against the two spinners and were also dominating them. Soon Gambhir smashed his fourth boundary of the innings with a brilliant cover drive against the leg spin of Cameron White and ball raced away for four. This partnership was again developing and most of the runs were scored by Gambhir who like Sachin Tendulkar had got the start. The ball was not turning much as expected and Aussies needed some luck. And they did get it when the local boy got the breakthrough of Suresh Raina.

White flighted the ball and pitched it on middle and off stump to the left handers and Raina going for the defence. The ball came in and hit the elbow of Raina and went on to the stumps. It was a very unlucky way to get out and Raina had to go back to the pavilion. What looked like a promising innings had come to an end for Raina as he was replaced by Yuvraj Singh in the middle. There was a huge cheer from the traveling Indian support at the MCG, as Yuvraj Singh came out, as they were expecting him to hit some huge sixes. Yuvraj got off the mark the first with a risky single towards mid-wicket, a direct throw at teh stumps from marsh at mid-wicket could have also resulted in an wicket but it didn't happen. Next ball Aussies could have been celebrating the wicket of Gautam Gambhir but it didn't happen so. Gautam Gambhir went for the slog sweep but got the top edge and the ball went high up in the air but David Warner at square leg dropped a sitter. Warner early had taken a brilliant catch to get rid of Sehwag but this time he had dropped a sitter. Gautam Gambhir was dropped on 37 by David Warner and will Gambhir able to pay the Aussies for their mistake only time will tell.

Yuvraj Singh too got settled and started taking ones and twos and kept the strike rotating. Gambhir and Yuvraj both kept taking the ones and twos against the two spinners. Both batsman were scoring at least 5 per over and Indians were looking in a good position. Gambhir reached his well deserved 50 with another cut shot beating the tired Johnson at third man for four. There was huge cheer from the Indian supporters as Gambhir raised his bat towards the dressing room and he also received a pat on the back from Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj Singh to join the party with his first boundary as he played a brilliant late cut of David Hussey and ball raced for four beating again the tired Mitchell Johnson at third-man.

After the end of 30 overs, Indians looked in a good position at 156 for the loss of only 3 wickets and Gambhir looked in great nick. Its not going quite as planned for the Aussies with Tait and Johnson going for lots of runs in their first spells and the two spinners not being very effective. Should Ponting turn towards Michael Clarke or some one like Michael Hussey to get the breakthrough?

India: 156/3(30 overs)
Gambhir: 52(58)
Yuvraj: 14(13)
Extras: 9

Last Wicket(s):
Raina b White 14(17)

Johnson 7-0-44-1
White 6-0-32-1
Hussey 3-0-16-0

 

[carn tigez]

India are cruising and should be aiming for 260+ from here at least. Great write up and presentation mate, kutgw.

 

[Jaztheman]

300 is possible at this rate for the Indians. They have batted very well to get to this point and Gambhir is now leading from the front. Australia at least got Raina out quickly and will need to do the same to Singh if they want to win.

Great stuff here, Shantanu. Keep it going.

 

[Highlander999]

Damn it, why did Sachin have to get out? He was my captain as well

Anyway, India are going very well, Gambhir is playing superbly and you can expect fireworks from Yuvraj with him being at the crease. Sensational work mate

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Quadrangular Series 2009, Australia
Australia v India
1st Match, Melbourne
End of 30 overs

Yuvraj Goes after the Aussie Bowlers​

Indians were in a very string position at 156 for the loss of 3 wickets and they still had their skipper MS Dhoni to come after this and the huge hitter Yusuf Pathan after Dhoni. Well for the Aussies it wasnt too good. Spinners were not much effective as the ball wasnt turning much and also White and Hussey who were operating at the moment were going away for easy runs. White was given probably his last over of the spell and Yuvraj who had score more than run a ball for his 14 decided to take the charge against White and the first ball itself he smashed the leg-spinner for a huge six over long-off. Yuvraj Singh played it with the turned and send the ball five rows behind the boundary line. White came back well and limited the damage to only 4 runs of the next 5 balls of the over. Gambhir too scored his boundary with a brilliant late cut similar to the one yuvraj played some two or three over ago for four. The run-rate was steadily increasing and was near 5.50 run per over. Indians were set for a big score today. Gambhir was slowly but steadily marching towards his century while Yuvraj wanted his 50 quickly. Gambhir and Yuvraj were scoring runs quite easily with ones and twos and were almost scoring 5-6 runs per over. Gambhir was playing more of the supportive role in this partnership allowing Yuvraj to free his arms a bit.

Clarke was introduced into the attack but like White and Hussey he failed to get any turn from the pitch. This partnership was turning to really trouble the Australian skipper Ponting as he was running out of ideas as his all bowlers had failed to impress except for Bracken. Ponting decided to give Johnson his second spell. Johnson bowled pretty well in his first over but conceded 7 easy runs from it. Next over saw Yuvraj scoring his second boundary of innings with a brilliant cut pass David Warner at short third man and beat Johnson at deep point. Aussies were being frustrated by this two and Yuvraj added some more salt to their wounds as he smashed Johnson fuller delivery over long-off for a six. Yuvraj Singh had surely lived upto his reputation a huge hitter with two huge sixes. Johnson went for 14 in his second spell of 2 overs and was replaced by Shaun Tait who like Johnson had been expensive in his first two spells but nothing changed as Yuvraj and Gambhir scored 6 singles of his first over of the second spell. Clarke on the other end has able to restrict the scoring to just above 4 an over in his overs but he needs support from the other end.

After 40 overs Indians are in a great position at 211 for the loss of 3 wickets. This partnership has added 83 runs most of them scored by Yuvraj and surely Aussies need to get wickets at regular intervals in the last 10 overs or else anything over 300 is a possible with Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan yet to come.

India: 211/3(40 overs)
Gambhir: 72(89)
Yuvraj: 48(42)
Extras: 10

Tait 8-0-46-0
Johnson 9-0-58-1
White 7-0-44-1
Hussey 5-0-23-0
Clarke 4-0-17-0

How much will the Indians be able to score in 50 overs?

a)<220
b)220-250
c)250-280
d)280-310
e)>310​

 

[Highlander999]

Anyone think the Aussie in that picture looks like David Walliams?

These two are playing amazingly for India. They will be looking to make a massive score at this stage. I am predicting E)

Great works, as per usual Shantanu

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Anyone think the Aussie in that picture looks like David Walliams?

These two are playing amazingly for India. They will be looking to make a massive score at this stage. I am predicting E)

Great works, as per usual Shantanu

Well thats Mitchell Johnson after being smashed for six..