England tour of India: Tests, ODIs, T20s

Alpherah · 9 Dec 2012 at 13:25

Was really worried about this series, but India have been proven to be not much better at home then they were in England, which is both shocking and a shame in equal measure.
The BCCI really need to get their house in order it seems.

TheCenturion · 9 Dec 2012 at 13:32

For the 4th Test, Yuvraj, Zaheer and Harbhajan dropped. Awana, Jadeja and Chawla brought in.

Another brainless selection by the selection panel, but they deserve a little credit for finally making some changes.

hnosyalnif · 9 Dec 2012 at 14:49

Didn't make it particularly easy with the mini collapse but a win nonetheless. Overall a very good performance from the boys.

India need to make changes and there are, not sure how much difference it will make. I think that England will win the series, probably with a draw in the 4th test.

Freddie1980 · 9 Dec 2012 at 21:50

hnosyalnif said:
Didn't make it particularly easy with the mini collapse but a win nonetheless. Overall a very good performance from the boys.

India need to make changes and there are, not sure how much difference it will make. I think that England will win the series, probably with a draw in the 4th test.

I agree England have learn't their lessons from the first test and there no evidence that India have learn't their lessons from the 2nd test match and I can't see any reason why England won't go and win the 4th.

A couple of years ago when India were touring England Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff remarked at the way the Indians warmed up and said they looked a shambles and unprofessional. As an outsider looking in I get the feeling that there are a few prima donna's in their side and need to be dropped and don't apply themselves hard enough in training. Most of side struggled with spending 2 days in field and a few of them are overweight with a few of them looking as if there about to 'pop out' of their shirts (I know England has Tim Bresnan but he's not playing at the moment). If the Indian board will at some point have to drop Tendulkar great player but every great has their day and the guy is really struggling now to cut even on home soil let alone on away trips and in stark contrast England is flooded is great young talent and senior player who are just coming into their prime.

Cosimo · 13 Dec 2012 at 06:19

Lunch and England 61-2.

Cosimo · 13 Dec 2012 at 07:23

Pietersen 50 and 96-2.

Jimbeam3678 · 13 Dec 2012 at 07:35

How are they playing Sim?

Just turned the TV on and it looks like KP is literally restraining himself so badly he's likely to break the shackles at any moment and will either get out or score runs fast!

TheCenturion · 13 Dec 2012 at 08:00

divaboy said:
How are they playing Sim?

Just turned the TV on and it looks like KP is literally restraining himself so badly he's likely to break the shackles at any moment and will either get out or score runs fast!

It's tough to score runs out there on this pitch. Nothing in it for the batsmen or the bowlers. Little bit of spin and some uneven bounce but that's it.

Cosimo · 13 Dec 2012 at 08:02

divaboy said:
How are they playing Sim?

Just turned the TV on and it looks like KP is literally restraining himself so badly he's likely to break the shackles at any moment and will either get out or score runs fast!

It's been steady slow progress and KP is playing with a lot of self control. I hope he manages to continue this way.

112-3.

Cosimo · 13 Dec 2012 at 08:29

Now Bell gone with an easy catch and 119-4.

Cosimo · 13 Dec 2012 at 08:41

Lucky not to be another one down. Tea and 133-4.

Cosimo · 13 Dec 2012 at 09:09

KP gone for 73, 139-5. Going to be downhill from now.

Cosimo · 13 Dec 2012 at 09:57

Ship steadied, 165-5. Now not to lose another wicket today.

Freddie1980 · 13 Dec 2012 at 10:51

What a rubbish pitch, this is going to be snozefest of a match.

TheCenturion · 13 Dec 2012 at 11:51

Terrible pitch and a disappointing team selection by India.

Jadeja shouldn't have played ahead of Rahane. Yes he's bowled well so far, but Rahane should have been in first. Also I'm so annoyed that Chawla is back. He averages 48 in domestic cricket this season!

For England - why was Bresnan picked ahead of Onions.

Jimbeam3678 · 13 Dec 2012 at 12:21

So this is going to end up as a draw?

I don't fully understand the finer parts of cricket so what's wrong with the pitch flat and offering nothing to the bowlers?

TheCenturion · 13 Dec 2012 at 12:31

divaboy said:
So this is going to end up as a draw?

I don't fully understand the finer parts of cricket so what's wrong with the pitch flat and offering nothing to the bowlers?

In general a flat pitch is boring as hell. If there's nothing in it for the bowlers, then they toil all day while it's really easy for the batsmen to score runs. The bowlers don't put 100% energy because they'll just tire out, and batsmen develop lazy habits because it's so easy to score runs.

As an example, look at this match. It was an awful, awful match. 1500 runs scored, and only 17 out of a possible 40 wickets fell.

It's boring, boring cricket. When you have a pitch assisting bowlers, the cricket becomes so much more exciting. As an example, look at India v England in Mumbai. It was a poor performance by India, but an exciting test match because the spinners were getting turn and bounce.

This pitch is different though. It's so low and slow that batting is really difficult too, so England haven't been able to score runs, and have ended the day having scored less than 200. Here is an article condemning the pitch:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-england-2012/content/current/story/596918.html

Weebull · 13 Dec 2012 at 18:03

It's still only the first day, I think there's time for this pitch to do things.

TheCenturion · 13 Dec 2012 at 18:07

Weebull said:
It's still only the first day, I think there's time for this pitch to do things.

Pitches can't increase in bounce though. Only decrease. Eventually, bowls will be rolling towards the batsmen. This is a day 5 pitch on day 1.

No1newts · 14 Dec 2012 at 07:42

328-9 be over soon. Not bad but could have been a lot better, need our bowlers to hammer it today/tomorrow.