Comparing Test Teams

[silentstriker]

Hmm yes i thought about that but:

1. RP Singh wasn't tragically out of form then, and bowled brilliantly throughout
2. The series was a 1-1 draw if not for rain rescuing India in the first test
3. Flintoff was out, and Anderson seems to have majorly improved since then
4. England's batting lineup was shocking, India's was filled with legends.

So right now I'd just give England's attack the edge.

India would have won the 3rd Test if they had been 1-1 going into it. I don't buy that excuse for a single second. It'd be like me saying India would be 1-1 in Australia if umpires weren't crap. It's possible, but the result is what it is. Period.

Flintoff's ankle has been abused more than John McCain's arm. He won't be a regular. And forget the batting, the bowling of Zaheer was miles better than anyone, regardless of who was facing him.

 

[silentstriker]

Yeah, I agree with this.

Anderson and Sidebottom opening the bowling in swinging conditions outdoes any other combination IMO. Zaheer's as good if not better than both but he lacks support in this area. As good as Ishant is starting to look, he still doesn't swing the ball a great deal.

I think I'd take Zaheer and Munaf/Sreesanth over them, which is who we're talking about.

 

[Uppercut]

I'd dispute that too. Aussies are better IMO.

Mmm, tttt neither have played in enough recent matches with the ball swinging to tell for sure. Perth last year is a similar case to that for Australia, and more recently SA have mauled lateral movement from NZ and coped well in England. Tough one though. Hopefully we'll find out soon enough.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think I'd take Zaheer and Munaf/Sreesanth over them, which is who we're talking about.

Hmm, I don't think I would. Sreesanth and Anderson used to be extremely similar as bowlers but in recent times Anderson has found a little more consistency and Sreesanth just seems to get more and more mentally fragile - or at least have it exploited by the opposition more. I think the gap between Anderson and him would more than make up for the small gap between Zaheer and a fully-fit Sidebottom, and then they have Flintoff as well. Hell, you'd have to consider Collingwood in genuine swing conditions as well, even if only as an afterthought.

I think you need to get the wheel of mediocrity back out; you're getting soft.

 

[Uppercut]

India would have won the 3rd Test if they had been 1-1 going into it. I don't buy that excuse for a single second. It'd be like me saying India would be 1-1 in Australia if umpires weren't crap. It's possible, but the result is what it is. Period.

Flintoff's ankle has been abused more than John McCain's arm. He won't be a regular. And forget the batting, the bowling of Zaheer was miles better than anyone, regardless of who was facing him.

I don't mean it as an excuse. Hell i was cheering for India all series long. Zaheer's excellent indeed but he lacks support, as Prince said, Sidebottom and Anderson opening the bowling is as tough as it gets when the ball swings IMO, before we even get to Flintoff on first change.

 

[Precambrian]

Tendulkar too. He turns the ball more than most regulars. Obviously his accuracy is nowhere near, but on turning pitches, he can be a very useful partnership breaker. Him and Sehwag can more than make up the second spinning option.

Tendulkar has more or less ruled out bowling. Can't see him even for partnership breaking. Too dangerous for his shoulder. Will though see 1 or 2 overs here and there.

 

[R_D]

I think I'd take Zaheer and Munaf/Sreesanth over them, which is who we're talking about.

did someone hack SS's account ?

 

[silentstriker]

All right, I better not have become the champion of Indian bowlers around here. That's ridiculous.

They all suck.

 

[silentstriker]

There.

 

[Uppercut]

Brilliant.

 

[silentstriker]

Brilliant.

Yea, it's an old classic of mine, I thought it up about the time when people were calling Balaji the next great fast bowler during the tour of Pakistan.

 

[Precambrian]

Yea, it's an old classic of mine, I thought it up about the time when people were calling Balaji the next great fast bowler during the tour of Pakistan.

Fantastic. Period!

 

[Richard]

There.

About time we saw that old friend back, your posts just don't look right without it.

 

[silentstriker]

About time we saw that old friend back, your posts just don't look right without it.

Have to add Sharma to it.

 

[Precambrian]

Have to add Sharma to it.

Sharma = World Class. Not mediocre.

 

[Richard]

Have to add Sharma to it.

I'm still not completely convinced he won't turn-out better than the normal mundane fare, but obviously there's always a fair chance of it.

 

[silentstriker]

Sharma = World Class.

Not yet.

 

[silentstriker]

I'll add a halo around his head. He seems to be the Next Savior (TM).

 

[aussie]

I think you can safely take Zaheer Khan out of the wheel of mediocrity now SS. You should have since his return in South Africa 07 TBH.

 

[silentstriker]

Still averaged about 30. He has certainly improved but the results have to start coming consistantly.