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

[Howard Littlejohn]

Kohli is interesting his average could end up trailing back to a Langer-esque type figure, I mean low to mid 40's is a damn good average at Test level but it certainly doesn't leave you retiring in the air of Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting etc. etc.

Well, that should be no shock. He's been a great player, but perhaps more in the Laxman, Ganguly generational great than Tendulkar all-time-world great. Or somewhere in between.

 

[Xtreme]

Look for his runs? Or what happened his ability to not nick off to slip every innings.

He's taking the piss out of the former captain who orchestrated sandpaper gate

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Given the MCG and SCG pitches aren't flat anymore, Bazball won't be as effective here.

Bazball wouldn't even be effective at the G anyway. Way too big to get away with it.

 

[ABAB]

Exactly. It's silly to whinge about an adult test player being intimidated like he's a child.

What about Test experience? Had this happen to Smith we wouldn't have even cared but then doubtful Bumrah and Kohli would have done it.

 

[Stumpy Pete]

In my opinion...and it's only my opinion, but if I was asked to pick a best Australian Test team since 1980 onwards, then the Openers would be Matthew Hayden and the other one would be Mark Taylor.

Hard to disagree but I’ll have a go. I’d put Boon slightly ahead of Taylor if it was solely about picking an opener. If you add contribution to leadership and fielding then Taylor may get the nod.

Boon played against many of the bowlers mentioned by a previous poster but also faced the cream of the Windows - Garner, Holding, Marshall.

Regards

S. Pete

 

[HirdsTheWord]

In my opinion...and it's only my opinion, but if I was asked to pick a best Australian Test team since 1980 onwards, then the Openers would be Matthew Hayden and the other one would be Mark Taylor.

id take Langer and Hayden.

 

[PhatBoy]

Given the MCG and SCG pitches aren't flat anymore, Bazball won't be as effective here.

lol, it’s literally what just won them the decisive test in the NZ series; playing that way on a pitch that had plenty in it.

 

[Lunchtime]

Hard to disagree but I’ll have a go. I’d put Boon slightly ahead of Taylor if it was solely about picking an opener. If you add contribution to leadership and fielding then Taylor may get the nod.

Boon played against many of the bowlers mentioned by a previous poster but also faced the cream of the Windows - Garner, Holding, Marshall.

Regards

S. Pete

Boon didn't open for his entire career like Taylor did. Thats why I left Boon out.

 

[The hands of stone]

Again what’s that got to do with anything when he’s not there, though? What are they planning for when he’s not at the crease?

I don’t doubt he rubbed them the wrong way and they desperately wanted to get him out while we he was there in order to give it to him. But after his first knock, he spent a combined 22 overs in the middle and they lost 5-96.

Whenever a team loses a series and there are flashpoints within it, I think people look back at it for all these little cues and things that maybe aren’t always there, as to why a side won or lost:

Scott Boland took 10 wickets in this game, Pat Cummins scored 90 runs and took 6 wickets in the last, and India’s batting let them down badly for most of the series. That’s the upshot of a lot of it IMO.

Everything .

It shifted their focus from being solely on winning the game to possible ' getting one back at that arrogant annoying Aussie ' .

India are an emotive team, once Kohli shoulder bumped him , Bumrah then out of character is riled up the rest followed along to get at him.

You can't use stats or figures for that , but India lost the above the shoulders game on that one .

 

[evolved2]

What about Test experience? Had this happen to Smith we wouldn't have even cared but then doubtful Bumrah and Kohli would have done it.

Anyone in the playing XI is fair game. If he wasn't ready, he wouldn't have been picked.

I think he loves the attention.

 

[ABAB]

lol, it’s literally what just won them the decisive test in the NZ series; playing that way on a pitch that had plenty in it.

Same quality fast bowlers?

 

[Cainozz]

Has a West Indies tour later this year been announced yet? I've heard some mentions on here that it's happening but can't seem to find any info on cricinfo or cricket australia's sites.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Again what’s that got to do with anything when he’s not there, though? What are they planning for when he’s not at the crease?

I don’t doubt he rubbed them the wrong way and they desperately wanted to get him out while we he was there in order to give it to him. But after his first knock, he spent a combined 22 overs in the middle and they lost 5-96.

Whenever a team loses a series and there are flashpoints within it, I think people look back at it for all these little cues and things that maybe aren’t always there, as to why a side won or lost:

Scott Boland took 10 wickets in this game, Pat Cummins scored 90 runs and took 6 wickets in the last, and India’s batting let them down badly for most of the series. That’s the upshot of a lot of it IMO.

i'd add that Indias bowling has big issues too. There is a massive gap between Bumrah and the rest.

Take Bumrah out and it's a completely different lineup. Ours is much more consistent across the bowling lineup.

 

[Mr Meow]

lol. bullshit.

at the time of the post it was dead even. Australia registered a lower total than Indias first Innings. Proving the initial post that we were miles ahead incorrect.

Bumrah going out injured and unable to bowl was a major factor for Australia winning in the end.

We were lucky in the end we didn't have to face Bumrah, His out was massive.

Nah, JimBob's point that leads come and go through a match was right. 180 in the first innings by India wasn't a "good" score, which was your original point. Australia under performing in their first innings didn't suddenly invalidate India's batting failures.

It was a good pitch for bowlers but the batsmen from both sides largely underperformed. India batting first and failing to have any meaningful advantage heading into the second innings proved costly to them. 340 odd by India overall was under par. Australia proved that by the end.

It's all good though. I have been in your shoes and been wrong before. You will get the call right next time.

 

[evolved2]

Same quality fast bowlers?

Boland and Cumdog were smashed in the last Ashes.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Nah, JimBob's point that leads come and go through a match was right. 180 in the first innings by India wasn't a "good" score, which was your original point. Australia under performing in their first innings didn't suddenly invalidate India's batting failures.

It was a good pitch for bowlers but the batsmen from both sides largely underperformed. India batting first and failing to have any meaningful advantage heading into the second innings proved costly to them. 340 odd by India overall was under par. Australia proved that by the end.

It's all good though. I have been in your shoes and been wrong before. You will get the call right next time.

Yep, you are in those shoes now.

we were "Miles ahead" when we were 4 runs behind in the chase.

lololol

End of Indias first innings it weas about as dead even as you could get. Australia than registered a lower score. But we were miles ahead? lol ok.

 

[Mr Meow]

Yep, you are in those shoes now.

I'm impressed by your capacity to double down in the face of all evidence. A cynic would highlight the stupidity but I'm an optimist and so would rather praise your courage.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

I'm impressed by your capacity to double down in the face of all evidence. A cynic would highlight the stupidity but I'm an optimist and so would rather praise your courage.

"evidence"

Australia registered a lower first Innings total but were "miles ahead" somehow?

Ok Chief Wiggum. Keep digging Up!

Inability to call it as it is, is not a strength.

I'm incredibly happy Bumrah pulled out. That injury was massive to the eventual result.

 

[ABAB]

Anyone in the playing XI is fair game. If he wasn't ready, he wouldn't have been picked.

I think he loves the attention.

Or he held a bit of grudge with what Kohli did to him the previous Test? Mind you he handle that situation very well.

 

[Andronicus]

Don’t be a troll…it favoured the touring side

I was answering a question about what Gavaskar said.

 

[PhatBoy]

Same quality fast bowlers?

Matt Henry has been among the best performed bowlers on the planet over the past 18 months. 48 wickets at 18 this year alone.
Will O’Rourke hasn’t quite started as well as Scott Boland but he’s taken 36 at 24 to begin his career, and Southee has taken nearly 400 wickets over a decorated career.

In NZ conditions on a green deck yeah I’d say it’s pretty meritorious.

You’ve just been shown numerous times by the likes of Travis Head, Rishabh Pant etc, that when the ball is doing a bit, often the best way to play that is to attack and England know that playing conservatively won’t win them jack shit. Playing aggressively gives them a puncher’s chance because one thing they CAN do is attack and very quickly turn momentum around.

The fact that people don’t understand this after 36 tests of them doing it, means they either don’t watch them, or they get their info from Fox Cricket.

 

[ABAB]

Boland and Cumdog were smashed in the last Ashes.

Because the pitch were flat.

 

[PhatBoy]

i'd add that Indias bowling has big issues too. There is a massive gap between Bumrah and the rest.

Take Bumrah out and it's a completely different lineup. Ours is much more consistent across the bowling lineup.

Agree completely, they have some guys there who are a handy support cast, but without a leader they are pretty mediocre

 

[Andrew Mc]

King Kohli with a sense of humour

get around him

Confirmed, he has no balls.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Confirmed, he has no balls.

and no runs