***Official*** India in Australia

[Mister Wright]

Clarke gone. Kumble to get a hat-trick here.

 

[Mister Wright]

Nearly.

 

[James90]

I can't believe I'm doing this as I've been the most vocal critic of Andrew Symonds in the past, even when he's done well, but I think you under-rate his bowling a bit. I don't think his batting is good enough to be a test #6, but within the context of the Australian side, not even I think his selection is the most disgraceful thing ever. His bowling is a lot better than I thought it'd be at test level - he bowls a bit quicker than I thought he could and swings the ball with decent control. I've seen Sri Lanka select players as a specialist pacers who were worse bowlers than Symonds, even if his action looks dire and he has no run-up.

He's not really a test cricketer IMO and I probably wouldn't pick him if I got the chance, but with the flat pitches in Australia and the strength of Australia's 1-5 + Gilchrist, I can see why he's picked. If Australia pile up a big score amongst the first five batsmen, he is capable of really "rubbing it in" by hitting a tired attack around on a flat pitch. His bowling is definitely good enough for someone who bats in the top 6 as a fifth option (even if I don't think his batting is) and the role he plays is actually a pretty reasonable one within the current team.

Honestly, I'd still pick Noffke ahead of him. And honestly, I still can't stand watching him play and hope he fails whenever he goes out to bat. I certainly couldn't see any other test team worth their salt picking him, and that's a strange thing to say about a player in the best team in the world in a pivotal role, but I think he fits in with what the Australian team need at #6 at the moment given their relative batting and bowling strengths as well as the state of the pitches in the country. I "get" his selection, even if I don't really agree with it, whereas I was religiously opposed to the principle of it before.

I think it's important to remember the marketability of Symonds for promoting the game and creating revenue for Cricket Australia. I can't exactly see Katich with a backyard cricket team or even getting a cheer when he goes out to bat. Same with Noffke.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think it's important to remember the marketability of Symonds for promoting the game and creating revenue for Cricket Australia. I can't exactly see Katich with a backyard cricket team or even getting a cheer when he goes out to bat. Same with Noffke.

That shouldn't be a factor when selecting a test team, though. If I thought for a moment that something like that came up at the selection table, I'd boycott matches involving Australia.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

That shouldn't be a factor when selecting a test team, though. If I thought for a moment that something like that came up at the selection table, I'd boycott matches involving Australia.

Couldn't agree more - but you would be hard pressed to drop Symonds until he fails a few times in a row which he hasn't done recently.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Yeah, agree with Cribbage. The thought of that coming into selection is disgusting.

 

[Prince EWS]

Couldn't agree more - but you would be hard pressed to drop Symonds until he fails a few times in a row which he hasn't done recently.

Yeah, I agree. I wouldn't pick him, but I can see why he is picked now and I respect it. Given his decent performances of late and the fact that Noffke hasn't really sustained his excellence for all that long (especially with the bat), dropping Symonds would be very harsh, and I certainly don't see it happening.

 

[Mister Wright]

Yeah, I agree. I wouldn't pick him, but I can see why he is picked now and I respect it. Given his decent performances of late and the fact that Noffke hasn't really sustained his excellence for all that long (especially with the bat), dropping Symonds would be very harsh, and I certainly don't see it happening.

How has Noffke not sustained his performances? He got 40 odd the other day in a Ford Ranger game and his last Pura Cup match took 5 wickets. Dud call.

 

[Mister Wright]

India's ground fielding hasn't been all that great, but at least they are taking all their catches. Can't remember them dropping one (if they have).

 

[social]

Couldn't agree more - but you would be hard pressed to drop Symonds until he fails a few times in a row which he hasn't done recently.

And that's the point - he's doing his job!

After a wretched start, he's averaging 35 with the bat(implying that he's done very well of late), he's one of the best fieldsmen I've ever seen (probably worth 10 runs per innings) and a useful enough bowler

 

[Mister Wright]

And that's the point - he's doing his job!

After a wretched start, he's averaging 35 with the bat(implying that he's done very well of late), he's one of the best fieldsmen I've ever seen (probably worth 10 runs per innings) and a useful enough bowler

10 runs is harsh. 20 minimum imo.

 

[pup11]

Felt sorry for Clarke batted well and looked good to get a hundred but he charged Kumble one time too many i guess, a bowler as experienced as Kumble surely worked out his dismissal on that occasion.
EDIT: Gilly gone so long should Australia wait before they declare or should they bat through the day.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

How has Noffke not sustained his performances? He got 40 odd the other day in a Ford Ranger game and his last Pura Cup match took 5 wickets. Dud call.

He obviously means for an extended period of time, ie. a few seasons. Look at the Australian team, how many of them haven't had multiple consecutive seasons of massive numbers in domestic cricket? Clarke and Ponting I guess, and they were both young prodigies.

 

[Pratters]

Lee avoids the pair. Fuller breathes a sigh of relief.

 

[Nate]

Loving Kumble vs Hogg.

Hogg hits a six. Big smile. WAG.

 

[Laurrz]

I think its pretty good to see Ponting fail twice (hasnt happen in 6+ years) and yet Australia still get 300+ in both innings... which would be average..but on this wicket...worth even more
brilliant

anywho just listening to ABC Radio with Harsha bogle and Damien flem.. two of my favs.. particularly the former.. coz i dont normally like subcontinent commentators at ALL but he is one i find much more entertaining
and they were talking about Pups batting.. against spin.. was interesting when they said he was more old school rather than current players who sweep and what not... (or in Roys case, clubs it)

his 70 was really a pleasure to watch.. once he is in.. he just seems unbowlable to if you're bowling spin ..whether you are Murali or Kumble or Harbhajan or Vettori or Kaneria.. which is a pretty good list
the straight drive off Harbhajan was the shot of the test for me.. by far the best white player against spin imo atm

 

[pup11]

Hoggy pulls his tounge out and smacks Kumble for a 6!

 

[Laurrz]

Loving Kumble vs Hogg.

Hogg hits a six. Big smile. WAG.

entertaining
annoys me when i tell other ppl hogg is a bit of an allrounder and they dont believe

 

[Hoggy31]

Haha, Mark Taylor - 'not sure Hogg's ever hit a six at the 'G'

Made about 60 off 35 a few weeks back vs. Victoria.

 

[Pratters]

Our Star Cricket commentary team:

Harsha Bhogle
Sunil Gavaskar
Ravi Shastri
Wasim Akram
Ian Chappell
Michael Slater
Allan Wilkins (a left arm former county bowler)