Cricket
Re: Cricket
Indian bowlers ineffectiveness under good batting conditions and with old ball is frustrating. They are trying too many things instead of sticking to good line and length and at least control the runs and frustrate the batsmen.
Cricket
India on the brink of resounding victory as England's tail take third Test to final day
Third Test scoreboard from Trent Bridge
There are defeats - and defeats. Had England been routed, as it looked as though they would be when they fell to 62 for four wickets, India would have gone to Southampton for the fourth Test with all the psychological advantage. But an historic partnership between Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes for the fifth wicket converted the rout into a strategic withdrawal which will not be completed until day five.
England’s batting has become so brittle that it seems able to summon up only one partnership per Test match, but this was a splendid one, spanning 169 runs and four hours. In terms of runs, though not time, Stokes and Buttler surpassed the epic defiance of Willie Watson and Trevor Bailey in the Lord’s Test of 1953 as the highest stand for England’s fifth wicket in the fourth innings, although they accomplished it on the final day to draw the match when everything involved in an Ashes series was at stake.
Had this been a four-day Test, the final hour would have been a heart-stopper as England collapsed against the second new ball, propelled with ferocity by Jasprit Bumrah of the unique action and rare angle, before their tailenders indulged in some slap-stick then buckled down to bat out the extra half-hour of eight overs. But the minor feat was ultimately achieved, by taking this game into a fifth day and partially stemming the Indian ocean which had been overwhelming England.
Buttler’s growth as a red-ball batsman has substantially strengthened England’s middle order for the rest of this five-Test series and beyond, even if their top order continues to wobble precariously. Buttler had his alarms against Bumrah, and would have been caught for only a single by a more experienced wicketkeeper than Rishabh Pant, but it was still an object lesson in the basics: on how to play yourself in, and put away bad balls, and not go fishing in between.
No Test century has contained more than 21 fours, which Buttler hit in equalling the world record. His shot-playing began when he was no older than two or three and his mother took him to her tennis club in Wedmore. While she played, the infant was given a tiny racket with which to hit tennis balls against a wall; yet all that skill would have gone for nothing without his keen judgment in shot-selection.
Other England righthanders, like Joe Root and Ollie Pope, had been tempted into playing away from their body. For Root it has been a wretched red-ball summer, his worst since his debut season of 2010, distinguished solely by his 80 at Edgbaston. Pope, at Surrey, had never been so exposed to the new ball as he has been since coming in at number four for England, and has either to be dropped down the order or else replaced by Moeen Ali.
Overall England’s new selectors have had a good summer - or rather they did until Trent Bridge. If Buttler’s recall to Test cricket has been their wisest selection, Adil Rashid has performed well in his limited opportunities with the red ball and he put his head down - after being dismissed cheaply off a Bumrah no-ball - to protect James Anderson and take this game into the final day. But for all the admirable composure and defence in Stokes’s 62, his recall was unwise, because it set in motion the train of events that will result in England’s defeat.
England’s selectors should not have left to Root the final decision on whether Stokes should play. Stokes was the lion who won the first Test for England on the final day; but having been caged for more than a week, in Bristol Crown Court, he was so pent up he was bound to rock the boat, and he should have been sent - after squad practice - to play for Durham against Glamorgan, to be made ready for Southampton.
Stokes’s first throw-in, fired from 20 yards, landed in front of Jonny Bairstow, and his first spell of seven overs began the process - in conditions so helpful to pace bowlers that Root had sent India in - of letting the tourists off the hook. It was not that Stokes did not try enough, but that he tried far too hard. Besides, Sam Curran had done nothing whatsoever to justify being dropped and would have pitched a much fuller length on day one,
Still, Stokes fought the rearguard with Buttler to the utmost of his ability, slower and safer than his partner. They had to contend with some reverse-swing, for the first time in this game, on the fourth afternoon, but together they had three advantages denied England’s top order: one was that sun replaced morning cloud, the second that the ball aged, and a third in that Ishant Sharma had shot most of his bolt in his opening spell when dismissing Alastair Cook, for the 11th time, and Keaton Jennings. The two occasions in life when it is most inconvenient to be lefthanded are when using scissors and facing Ishant.
Had he a sense of history, Stokes would be inspired by the challenge of becoming England’s finest lefthanded batsman, at least since the war - and he fought as doggedly as Graham Thorpe, without the occasional high-risk stroke which David Gower could not resist.
Buttler padded up after reaching his landmark, the injured Bairstow was bowled by a corker next ball, Chris Woakes was bounced out again - this time a snorter - and Stuart Broad gave KL Rahul his seventh slip catch of this game. Broad by then had reached 3000 Test runs, to go with his 400 wickets, making him only the fifth to the feat - some distinction, not entirely offset by his ICC penalty.
7:11pm - Close of play
So England end the day on 311/9. The home side need 210 runs to win tomorrow, while India require just the one wicket. It has all been an exercise in delaying the inevitable, but there was some intriguing stuff in there today. Stokes and Butter batted brilliantly, Bumrah was superb with the ball, and the England tail wagged just enough to deny the Indians an extra day off. The less said about England's top order, the better. We know which side will win this match, but everyone will have to return in the morning for proceedings to play out.
Cheers
Third Test scoreboard from Trent Bridge
There are defeats - and defeats. Had England been routed, as it looked as though they would be when they fell to 62 for four wickets, India would have gone to Southampton for the fourth Test with all the psychological advantage. But an historic partnership between Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes for the fifth wicket converted the rout into a strategic withdrawal which will not be completed until day five.
England’s batting has become so brittle that it seems able to summon up only one partnership per Test match, but this was a splendid one, spanning 169 runs and four hours. In terms of runs, though not time, Stokes and Buttler surpassed the epic defiance of Willie Watson and Trevor Bailey in the Lord’s Test of 1953 as the highest stand for England’s fifth wicket in the fourth innings, although they accomplished it on the final day to draw the match when everything involved in an Ashes series was at stake.
Had this been a four-day Test, the final hour would have been a heart-stopper as England collapsed against the second new ball, propelled with ferocity by Jasprit Bumrah of the unique action and rare angle, before their tailenders indulged in some slap-stick then buckled down to bat out the extra half-hour of eight overs. But the minor feat was ultimately achieved, by taking this game into a fifth day and partially stemming the Indian ocean which had been overwhelming England.
Buttler’s growth as a red-ball batsman has substantially strengthened England’s middle order for the rest of this five-Test series and beyond, even if their top order continues to wobble precariously. Buttler had his alarms against Bumrah, and would have been caught for only a single by a more experienced wicketkeeper than Rishabh Pant, but it was still an object lesson in the basics: on how to play yourself in, and put away bad balls, and not go fishing in between.
No Test century has contained more than 21 fours, which Buttler hit in equalling the world record. His shot-playing began when he was no older than two or three and his mother took him to her tennis club in Wedmore. While she played, the infant was given a tiny racket with which to hit tennis balls against a wall; yet all that skill would have gone for nothing without his keen judgment in shot-selection.
Other England righthanders, like Joe Root and Ollie Pope, had been tempted into playing away from their body. For Root it has been a wretched red-ball summer, his worst since his debut season of 2010, distinguished solely by his 80 at Edgbaston. Pope, at Surrey, had never been so exposed to the new ball as he has been since coming in at number four for England, and has either to be dropped down the order or else replaced by Moeen Ali.
Overall England’s new selectors have had a good summer - or rather they did until Trent Bridge. If Buttler’s recall to Test cricket has been their wisest selection, Adil Rashid has performed well in his limited opportunities with the red ball and he put his head down - after being dismissed cheaply off a Bumrah no-ball - to protect James Anderson and take this game into the final day. But for all the admirable composure and defence in Stokes’s 62, his recall was unwise, because it set in motion the train of events that will result in England’s defeat.
England’s selectors should not have left to Root the final decision on whether Stokes should play. Stokes was the lion who won the first Test for England on the final day; but having been caged for more than a week, in Bristol Crown Court, he was so pent up he was bound to rock the boat, and he should have been sent - after squad practice - to play for Durham against Glamorgan, to be made ready for Southampton.
Stokes’s first throw-in, fired from 20 yards, landed in front of Jonny Bairstow, and his first spell of seven overs began the process - in conditions so helpful to pace bowlers that Root had sent India in - of letting the tourists off the hook. It was not that Stokes did not try enough, but that he tried far too hard. Besides, Sam Curran had done nothing whatsoever to justify being dropped and would have pitched a much fuller length on day one,
Still, Stokes fought the rearguard with Buttler to the utmost of his ability, slower and safer than his partner. They had to contend with some reverse-swing, for the first time in this game, on the fourth afternoon, but together they had three advantages denied England’s top order: one was that sun replaced morning cloud, the second that the ball aged, and a third in that Ishant Sharma had shot most of his bolt in his opening spell when dismissing Alastair Cook, for the 11th time, and Keaton Jennings. The two occasions in life when it is most inconvenient to be lefthanded are when using scissors and facing Ishant.
Had he a sense of history, Stokes would be inspired by the challenge of becoming England’s finest lefthanded batsman, at least since the war - and he fought as doggedly as Graham Thorpe, without the occasional high-risk stroke which David Gower could not resist.
Buttler padded up after reaching his landmark, the injured Bairstow was bowled by a corker next ball, Chris Woakes was bounced out again - this time a snorter - and Stuart Broad gave KL Rahul his seventh slip catch of this game. Broad by then had reached 3000 Test runs, to go with his 400 wickets, making him only the fifth to the feat - some distinction, not entirely offset by his ICC penalty.
7:11pm - Close of play
So England end the day on 311/9. The home side need 210 runs to win tomorrow, while India require just the one wicket. It has all been an exercise in delaying the inevitable, but there was some intriguing stuff in there today. Stokes and Butter batted brilliantly, Bumrah was superb with the ball, and the England tail wagged just enough to deny the Indians an extra day off. The less said about England's top order, the better. We know which side will win this match, but everyone will have to return in the morning for proceedings to play out.
Cheers
Re: Cricket
India got Rashid to nick twice to slips, once on a no ball and the other a dropped catch. If they had kept the same channel lines, they would have wrapped the match long time ago. But instead they tried bouncing Anderson and Rashid out and wasted more than an hour. If it rains tomorrow, they can kiss their victory good bye. Idiots.
Re: Cricket
you are like george costanza ..NOTHING GOOD WILL EVER HAPPEN TO US..IT WILL RAIN TOMORROW
it's amazing how one victory changes a lot...suddenly we look the better team and they look bad.
it's amazing how one victory changes a lot...suddenly we look the better team and they look bad.
Re: Cricket
There was forecast for light rain on the 4th and 5th day. With the series on the line, it was a must win game for us.
But I did predict we will win this match.
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=7&start=525#p13546
But I did predict we will win this match.
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=7&start=525#p13546
Hope our players don't slack now and continue to keep up the hard work. Especially control the runs in good batting conditions and prize out a few wickets with the old ball too. It will be historical if we win 3-1 and we have a good chance if toss is not such a deciding factor as in Lords or if it is, we win the toss.
Last edited by hanumadu on Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Cricket
Why does VK keep defending his wife after every win as if the whole world is ganged up against her. She is a person in her own right and a successful one at that. She gets what she gets because of her stance and behaviour on various issues. VK should not use his position as Indian captain to clean up after her.
Frankly, I don't know what he saw in her. He sold himself short IMHO only.
Also, whining like nobody believed in them. If you fail and make stupid team selection, people will criticize and he himself accepted that he erred in team selection. We are losing crucial matches because of that.
He should not let his good work in increasing the overall fitness of the team and drive to win overseas be undermined by stuff from outside cricket.
Frankly, I don't know what he saw in her. He sold himself short IMHO only.
Also, whining like nobody believed in them. If you fail and make stupid team selection, people will criticize and he himself accepted that he erred in team selection. We are losing crucial matches because of that.
He should not let his good work in increasing the overall fitness of the team and drive to win overseas be undermined by stuff from outside cricket.
Re: Cricket
India drops Vijay and Kuldeep and brings in Hanuma Vihari and Prithwi Shah.
A bit unfair to Vijay but he looked like he lost interest and does not have a fight in him anymore.
And too early to give Prithwi Shah a chance, IMO. Unless people have performed consistently for 3 or 4 seasons they should not be given a chance.
Hanuma Vihari was in the under 19 team that won the world cup. He played in the IPL for a season or two but could not score briskly. Even back then he was tall and strong and technically too correct to play in the short formats. Now he seems to have adapted better to the one day formats. Hope he is technically still sound. I had an inkling he would play for India one day.
A bit unfair to Vijay but he looked like he lost interest and does not have a fight in him anymore.
And too early to give Prithwi Shah a chance, IMO. Unless people have performed consistently for 3 or 4 seasons they should not be given a chance.
Hanuma Vihari was in the under 19 team that won the world cup. He played in the IPL for a season or two but could not score briskly. Even back then he was tall and strong and technically too correct to play in the short formats. Now he seems to have adapted better to the one day formats. Hope he is technically still sound. I had an inkling he would play for India one day.
Re: Cricket
https://twitter.com/mohanstatsman/statu ... 0356306944
Mohandas Menon @mohanstatsman
Test batting average in SENA* countries (since 1990) *S (SA) E (Eng) N (NZ) A (Aus)
(Players from SENA countries excluded)
51.96 Virat Kohli
51.30 Sachin Tendulkar
49.48 Rahul Dravid
47.98 Chris Gayle
45.93 Kumar Sangakkara
44.99 S Chanderpaul
44.81 Brian Lara
43.94 Younis Khan
Re: Cricket
it's tough on vijay..but he had a poor SA series with only the 25 in 127 balls in 2nd innings in 3rd test that helped us win that. took a lot of body blows in that minefield pitch. but then, followed up that with poor outings in eng and the pair in lords was quite pedestrian effort.
even with performances being equal, KL is a strong contender for permanent spot because he is young and we can get 10 plus years of solid opening from him.
even with performances being equal, KL is a strong contender for permanent spot because he is young and we can get 10 plus years of solid opening from him.
Re: Cricket
They should have given choice to Mayank Agarwal instead of Prithvi Shaw but it is left field choice. He is unlikely to play though. Vijays game has gone worse with age catching up. Dropping Kuldeep was really bad. They could have kept him in the team.
Re: Cricket
They should have given choice to Mayank Agarwal instead of Prithvi Shaw but it is left field choice. He is unlikely to play though. Vijays game has gone worse with age catching up. Dropping Kuldeep was really bad. They could have kept him in the team.
Re: Cricket
Good point and I am sick and tired of this glamour obsessed DDM chasing both of them wherever they go. Its also cheap western imitation of glamour. And another peeve of mine, DDM dutifully publishing what every jack ass has to say about VK's batting prowess. And not the topic of this thread, but I could give a f!ck for what super rich pompous elites like AS or Swara Bhaskar or whoever thinks of things outside their domain. Many of them lack any nationalist bone or patriotism anyway. They anoint themselves as colonial masters in judgement of ordinary folks from whom they are so far away psychologically.hanumadu wrote: ↑Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:59 pmWhy does VK keep defending his wife after every win as if the whole world is ganged up against her. She is a person in her own right and a successful one at that. She gets what she gets because of her stance and behaviour on various issues. VK should not use his position as Indian captain to clean up after her.
On team selection, not seen the youngsters, but sad to see M. Vijay go. He was a fine player, but I think what did him in was his obsession to not play his free game in test cricket.
I am of the opinion that while test cricket batting demands more caution and patience, I feel sometimes many batsman take this too much to heart. When you get into a shell, you give the bowlers an upper hand. Ditto Pujara.
When I look at some legends of the past: Ponting, Gower, VVS Laxman, Tendulkar, Richards, Steve Waugh to name some, they would always keep the score board ticking and take that odd risk of getting a boundary. Batsman who are successful in test matches are those who mix caution with aggression.
Another favorite of mine from the past is Dilip Vengsarkar. I would not classify him as a legend only because his test record is not flattering to his undoubted talent. His stroke play was majestic, but in many test matches, it was painful to watch him go into a shell.
Re: Cricket
what's the point of keeping kuldeep in the touring team when he cannot play in the next two matches. better to send him back, so he can practice or do something else useful or just unwind.
he will still be a third spinner as both ashwin and jadeja are more lethal in indian test conditions with accuracy and exploiting 4th and 5th days pitches.
kuldeep is effective in deceiving with variations, but would nee some scoring impetus to force risk-taking from batsman.
he will still be a third spinner as both ashwin and jadeja are more lethal in indian test conditions with accuracy and exploiting 4th and 5th days pitches.
kuldeep is effective in deceiving with variations, but would nee some scoring impetus to force risk-taking from batsman.
Re: Cricket
KL Rahul, Pujara, VK and Rahane are better than fab 4 overall I believe. Add P.Shaw, Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari/Shubman Gill to the mix and we are going to have our strongest batting line up ever.
Re: Cricket
Looks like the toss will decide the match.
PS: OK, India lost the toss. It will be that much harder to win the match especially with overcast conditions and possible on day 2 and day 3.
PS: OK, India lost the toss. It will be that much harder to win the match especially with overcast conditions and possible on day 2 and day 3.
Re: Cricket
can u quit the "woe is us" lamenting in every post
sheesh...you on cricket is like crs on politics.
sheesh...you on cricket is like crs on politics.
Re: Cricket
Well, woe or not, they are already six wickets down. Though Moeen and Curran have settled down now.
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I said it will be difficult, not impossible. If I was like what you said, I would have said we would lose. In fact, I said we will win the third test before the test had even started when every one wrote off India.
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The pitch or conditions or both are not as batsmen friendly as expected. Not to take away any credit from our bowlers who were excellent. Anything over 200 may be competitive.
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#7 and #8 have already raked a partnership of 50+, surprisingly fewer bouncers bowled when bouncing out lower order batsmen is always a good strategy.
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246 all out. But it is more like 280 or even 300 because of the slow outfield.
160 added by the last four wickets. Plenty of played and misses and a clear LBW not given. Luck not on our side today.
Batsmen will have to scrap for every run. Won't be easy.
160 added by the last four wickets. Plenty of played and misses and a clear LBW not given. Luck not on our side today.
Batsmen will have to scrap for every run. Won't be easy.
Re: Cricket
If we lose this match, it will be because of Kohli. He failed to do what England is doing with the old ball, take wickets and control runs.
And he got out to the old ball by doing what he avoided doing the entire series - reaching out to the ball. What a waste of good effort for much of yesterday and today.
And he got out to the old ball by doing what he avoided doing the entire series - reaching out to the ball. What a waste of good effort for much of yesterday and today.
Re: Cricket
Guys, its going to be an exciting test match. I am a little worried though about Eng scoring 300+ in second innings. The 4 or so overs that Ashwin and Bumrah bowled showed no venom, pitch seems to be playing easy. Some quick wickets tomorrow will bring the game back in India's favor.
Disappointing batting performance by India today sans Pujara who was full of class. Pant needs to shape up, this his 3rd innings and came out pauper fell for a duck after facing 30 odd balls. Rahane and Pandya couldn't get going. With the kind of foundation we had, 350+ was definitely on the cards.
Disappointing batting performance by India today sans Pujara who was full of class. Pant needs to shape up, this his 3rd innings and came out pauper fell for a duck after facing 30 odd balls. Rahane and Pandya couldn't get going. With the kind of foundation we had, 350+ was definitely on the cards.