5th Test Border Gavaskar Trophy January 3-7 1000hrs @ the SCG

[PhatBoy]

is cricinfo correct or just showing the usual India bias?
"What a session we have had. By the end of it, India are not just back in the contest but are ahead as well."

They batted first; Australia have to chase a target.
They have half the Australian side out. The ‘good’ half, in theory, including the two in-form players.
Australia has, basically, only made a little over half their first innings score.

What other conclusion is there to draw?

Unless it is the norm to EXPECT the lower order to trump top orders I think it’s a pretty reasonable conclusion to make that India are slightly ahead

 

[Bazza5]

How’s that going to help us. India will be batting. That was an awful session from us.

It isn’t. Agree with Jack Lord that we need to spend as much time out there now as the pitch does seem to be settling somewhat, don’t want India having the bulk of those conditions.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

is cricinfo correct or just showing the usual India bias?
"What a session we have had. By the end of it, India are not just back in the contest but are ahead as well."

I'd say India are ahead, albeit it's still anyways game.

 

[chriso11]

I am a bit surprised that we produced a green top for this Test. It provides a fitting finale for the series, but I can't help but cast my mind back to the India tour where they prepared an absolute road for the last Test with the series at 2-1

We are doing the sporting thing by preparing a pitch that can yield a result… just wish it wasn’t a result within 2.5 days.

The India method is just the groundsmen caving to the political pressure that India must win at home. That’s why our CWC win in front of Modi at his home ground was so sweet — not only won the World Cup but shat all over his arrogant narrative.

Be glad we live in a country where sport is (mostly) free from the meddling of political leaders

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Remains to this day one of the cringiest moments in sport that.

They should have gone all in and worn whites really, fully padded up

 

[The hands of stone]

Goes without saying , this is a huge partnership.

Webster looks very solid .
Batting on the bowling friendly Bellerive over the years looks to have him ready for this challenge.
He can make a name for himself here.

We need 50 from these 2 I feel

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Reckon that's about right actually
Betting though has Aus faves

Which sites?
Betting doesn't just follow the likelihood, but also the money - and overall supporters are more likely to back their team in neutrals will. (Just look at some of the ladder prediction stuff)
An Australian site will likely have lower odds for Australia, simply because more money has - or is expected to - come in that way compared to actual situation.

 

[smasha]

LOL ,people running through the gates nearly killing each other to get the best seat.

 

[mouncey2franklin]

The young allrounder with the earring to score a ton and put Aus in a commanding position by the end of Day 2.

People on this board to start crowing as if the series is over and India 'should have selected bla bla'.

India to turn the tables on Day 3 and roll the tail cheaply, reach 1-100 in the third innings.

The same people who said it was all over, to then start saying 'Australian cricket is dying' etc etc.

Rinse and repeat.

 

[Topkent]

Of course, but time after time after time it happens. We should be better than this every now and then at home. Maybe I'm just spoilt from us cashing in time and again on the good work from our bowlers in my early years.

I'll wait and see how long our 8-11 bats are able to hang around on this absolute minefield and then report back.

The players aren't very good? I don't know what people except tbh. Smith is great, head is a gun but inconsistent. The rest are meh. They don't average high in FC cricket so why would the dominate tests

 

[Moonwatcher]

Remains to this day one of the cringiest moments in sport that.

 

[aabp1978]

Bad morning, although in trying conditions. Reckon we will be bundled out for 150 odd. Game shaping up just like Perth. Really annoying to lose that Smith wicket before lunch. He and Webster were looking set. No. idea why we didnt produce a road of a pitch…you know they would have…unless something miraculous happens, think India with a 250-300 run target for us to chase…which we are simply incapable of

 

[Iceman!]

I am a bit surprised that we produced a green top for this Test. It provides a fitting finale for the series, but I can't help but cast my mind back to the India tour where they prepared an absolute road for the last Test with the series at 2-1

I do wish we would produce wickets that were favourable to us. Flatten them out a little bit more (not complete roads) and I think it suits us.

 

[smasha]

I am a bit surprised that we produced a green top for this Test. It provides a fitting finale for the series, but I can't help but cast my mind back to the India tour where they prepared an absolute road for the last Test with the series at 2-1

We don't do that in Oz.

 

[Pistol Night]

We are doing the sporting thing by preparing a pitch that can yield a result… just wish it wasn’t a result within 2.5 days. The India method is just the groundsmen caving to the political pressure that India must win at home. That’s why our CWC win in front of Modi at his home ground was so sweet — not only won the World Cup but shat all over his arrogant narrative.

Be glad we live in a country where sport is (mostly) free from the meddling of political leaders

Its a sport we love and that about it to us. Those campaigners dangerously obsessive with their approach to everything to do with it. The type of abuse everywhere after Melbourne from India was breathtakingly hideous

 

[benbrown]

Good start for webby,love a player that digs in when conditions aren’t in your favour,we haven’t had many of them for a long time

 

[Xtreme]

is cricinfo correct or just showing the usual India bias?
"What a session we have had. By the end of it, India are not just back in the contest but are ahead as well."

That is spot on

It would be the biggest robbery not seen since Vin Diesel in Fast & Furious 5 if Australia win it from here

 

[Pistol Night]

LOL ,people running through the gates nearly killing each other to get the best seat.

Sounds like me when the rippers open

 

[RandB]

Listening to the pundits this morning, days 2 & 3 should be the hardest for batting on this wicket. Not sure if they're right but, if so, could work for us.

If we can get a 50+ lead and put them in tonight we have a chance to be batting late tomorrow if things go well. The key is how quickly India get their runs as they may even end up declaring at some point.

Day 4 batting might be doable.

Day 5 rain, but irrelevant.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

I think I've finally come full circle on Mark Waugh as a commentator. Used to not be able to stand him at all, but now I actually don't mind him.

Or maybe this is a sign that I've become an old, jaded prick.

 

[Pistol Night]

I think I've finally come full circle on Mark Waugh as a commentator. Used to not be able to stand him at all, but now I actually don't mind him.

Or maybe this is a sign that I've become an old, jaded prick.

Grumpy campaigners resonate with me much more as the years pass

 

[Moonwatcher]

I think I've finally come full circle on Mark Waugh as a commentator. Used to not be able to stand him at all, but now I actually don't mind him.

Or maybe this is a sign that I've become an old, jaded prick.

He's a good commentator

 

[Gough]

I think I've finally come full circle on Mark Waugh as a commentator. Used to not be able to stand him at all, but now I actually don't mind him.

Or maybe this is a sign that I've become an old, jaded prick.

The Waugh twins turn 60 this year.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Bad morning, although in trying conditions. Reckon we will be bundled out for 150 odd. Game shaping up just like Perth. Really annoying to lose that Smith wicket before lunch. He and Webster were looking set. No. idea why we didnt produce a road of a pitch…you know they would have…

Because our strength is our bowling. Play to your strengths.
If we prepare roads then India will win series easily in my opinion. They bat better than we do in general and they bowl better on flat pitches.
I do however see your point re the last test being 1 up in the series.

 

[Moonwatcher]

The Waugh twins turn 60 this year.

I wanted to ask 'which one' but you didn't leave it open.