Story Watch India play a test series against New Zealand

[m_vaughan]

Thats a big win for England. India will be very disappointed, but thats how cricket is.

Great story, just read the entire final, and it was amazing.

Looking forward to the test series now.

 

[jazz]

should be a close test series

 

[SaiSrini]

Indian Test squad announced!

Harbhajan , Laxman, Kaarthick and Gambhir make a comeback!

Test Specialists Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman make a comeback to the test team whearas Dinesh Kaarthick and Harbhajan Singh also make a comeback. Harbhajan is back to the team after a finger injury whearas Kaarthick was discarded in the ODI's in favor of Dhoni's hard hitting prowess. The squad of 15 is as follows:

Indian Test Squad:

*Saurav Ganguly
Virender Sehwag
Gautam Gambhir
Rahul Dravid
Sachin Tendulkar
VVS Laxman
Mohammed Kaif
+Dinesh Kaarthick
Anil Kumble
Harbhajan Singh
Zaheer Khan
Irfan Pathan
Ashish Nehra
Lakshmipathy Balaji
Ajit Agarkar

* - captain
+ - wicket keeper

The venues for the tests have also been announced. The first test is going to take place at Wellington where the Adidas Series ended and the second test is to be held at Christchurch!

 

[cheaterr]

Dude, Agarkar? That's not cool!

 

[SaiSrini]

Dude, Agarkar? That's not cool!

may be, his all round abilities won him the favor.. since this is a two test series, wont be that great testing out new bowlers....

Meanwhile, ODI players Yuvraj, Dhoni, Jadeja, Murali Kartik, etc have left for India! The new players are expected to arrive in New Zealand tomorrow. The test starts on Tuesday May 24th

 

[indiancricketer]

starts may 24 eh 2 months away from my brithday

 

[SaiSrini]

starts may 24 eh 2 months away from my brithday

2 months away or before?? Today is May 21 and we are just 3 days away from May 24th

 

[indiancricketer]

away..still 2 months left till my brithday

 

[Johann]

I'm looking forward to the upcomming matches! Should be really interesting...

 

[SaiSrini]

First Test - Preview

Ganguly apprehensive of the wicket

The first test begins at Wellington in less than 24 hours time. Both the captains had a good look at the pitch and after looking at the pitch, one could easily spot wrinkles on Ganguly's face. The wicket is full of grass and should be a seamer's wicket to start with. The New Zealand captain then asked for the curator not to chop off too much of grass from the wicket. Probably Fleming is trying to knock off the Indians in the mind about the wicket here. The wicket is sure to be like many other New Zealand wickets where the ball does a lot of ugly tricks. So, the team that wins the toss should take the caution of batting first.

The teams are seen practicing on the ground out there with the new coach, Greg Chappell. Chappell is seen giving constant catching drills to the Indian players especially the newly entered test specialist players Gambhir, Laxman, Harbhajan and Kaarthick. Ganguly is seen discussing with Rahul Dravid about the composition of the team and about the pitch which is just monitored. India must be very keen to take revenge on New Zealand for the 2-0 defeat that they had in the previous test series in 2003.

India have decided to announce the final twelve. Anil Kumble will be sitting out of this game. Harbhajan Singh is going to have a game here as his off spin combined with the bounce that he extracts can prove in handy on this pitch. It is going to be a toss up between Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra for the third seamer's slot with Zaheer Khan and L.Balaji being in the confirmed list.

All in all, a great test series in prospect. The New Zealanders have been hoping for the weather not to interfere in any of the days. This hope of theirs stems from the fact that rain has been forecast on the third day of the series.

 

[m_vaughan]

I would definately not want to bat on that wicket. India should go with Pathan, as he can swing the ball back into the batsman.

 

[boss]

A pretty tricky decision ahead of the toss!, I wish IND to bowl first on this kinda track...

Boss

 

[SaiSrini]

New Zealand win toss and insert India into bat!

FIRST TEST - WELLINGTON

Welcome to Wellington for the first test between India and New Zealand. This is the first test of the two test series between India and New Zealand telecast to you Live by Dish Network (US telecast) with live feed provided to them by Sky Sports. The scene here at Wellington is well set and the action is going to begin in a few moments on the field. Lets first watch the pitch report brought to you by Asian Paints.

This is a pitch that is a seamer's track right from Day 1. New Zealand think that India have a history of failing on such tracks and have opted for a green track. The ball should seam and swing like anything here and it is surely going to be a nightmare batting first here on this wicket. With mild weather, the swing bowlers and seamers alike are going to have a ball here at Wellington. Batting on the last day is going to be close to hazardous. So the team batting second should ensure they bundle out the other team earlyu.

Lets get down to the toss with the two captains - Ganguly and Fleming. Ganguly tosses the coin and Fleming calls Tails. The coin falls down with Tails on the upper side. NEW ZEALAND WIN THE TOSS!

I.Chappell: Your choice Fleming?
S.Fleming: We would like to bowl first. A seamer's wicket here and we want to take full use of it

I.Chappell: Your squad?
S.Fleming: We are playing three seamers and a single spinner.

​

I.Chappell: Disappointed with the toss Ganguly?
Ganguly: Not much! We would have liked to bowl first but its how the luck goes.

I.Chappell: Your squad?
Ganguly: Pathan plays instead of Ashish Nehra.

​

I.Chappell: So gentlemen, India bat first on this seaming wicket! Over to you, Jones.
*************************************
D.Jones: Thats going to be a tricky start for India on this wicket which is going to aid seam bowling. If India can refrain from not losing more than 2 wickets in the opening session, they would have won the first part of the battle on the opening dat!

 

[indiancricketer]

no no Sai not those graphics change them there the bad ones you need the update one

 

[SaiSrini]

no no Sai not those graphics change them there the bad ones you need the update one

if you have the updated one, send me. till then, i will keep using them..

Worse Start for India - Sehwag GONE!
V.Sehwag 1

A terrible start for India in the first test as they lose Sehwag for 1 run. The Indian openers could not get off to a good start as they are right now finding it tough to face Bond and Tuffey on a seaming track. Sehwag tried to cover drive a short ball but in the end, edged it for the keeper Mc Mullum to pouch the catch behind the wicket. India are 11/1 after 5 overs with Gambhir on 5* and Rahul Dravid on 1*. Sehwag was out when India were 1/0 after 3 overs.