***Official*** England in India

[Spark]

It's often that there are strong visual indicators of good/bad form too which a keen eye will spot and make a more concrete judgement than mere scorecards. Watch Tendulkar now vs this time two years ago, ditto Clarke, ditto Bell.

[smalishah84]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

KP scored 80-odd (might even be 80 exactly) versus Pakistan in 2010 and didn't use the middle of his bat once.

I remember that innings. Possibly the worst 50+ score I have ever seen made by a batsman. Could have been out 50 times by the time he reached 80.

[Spark]

That was the one where he decided to dong one straight up in the air just after it'd been called dead ball, wasn't it?

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Spark

It's often that there are strong visual indicators of good/bad form too which a keen eye will spot and make a more concrete judgement than mere scorecards. Watch Tendulkar now vs this time two years ago, ditto Clarke, ditto Bell.

Even if so, though, it would tend to suggest that form was a over-rated factor in run-scoring if it wasn't being reflected on scorecards. Good batsmen who look out of touch still seem far more likely, if that analysis is to be believe anyway, to score runs than mediocre batsmen in great touch. And on that level it's fascinating if nothing else.

I've seen way too much cricket to cop being told that there isn't a cyclical form offset to one's ability, but perhaps we give it too much importance when predicting how a batsman will actually perform on a given day?

[Spark]

Yeah, probably, on the basis that it only takes one decent ball or one mistimed shot to get a batsman out. That's the paradox of batting: takes a ****load of work to make a decent innings and a tenth of a second's misjudgment (if that) to end it all.

I think "form" over, say, 2-3 Tests is a bit misleading unless someone does a Shaun Marsh (or, for that matter, an Alastair Cook). But over, say, 10 Tests? You'd get a pretty good idea. Year-by-year averages are usually fairly representative.

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Spark

Yeah, probably, on the basis that it only takes one decent ball or one mistimed shot to get a batsman out. That's the paradox of batting: takes a ****load of work to make a decent innings and a tenth of a second's misjudgment (if that) to end it all.

I think "form" over, say, 2-3 Tests is a bit misleading unless someone does a Shaun Marsh (or, for that matter, an Alastair Cook). But over, say, 10 Tests? You'd get a pretty good idea. Year-by-year averages are usually fairly representative.

to add to this:

It's also the manner of dismissals that tells you something about "form", in a way. Kohli had done worse than Sachin over the series, but that's because he kept playing idiotic shots, whilst Sachin genuinely looked like he could barely buy a run - even at Kolkata you always felt that he could well get out on the very next ball. I didn't say it at the time but that's why Amla, despite having a poor-to-mediocre run of scores through the middle of the recently concluded series, always looked on the verge of a massive score once he stopped finding ways to get out. On the other hand, Rob "greatest 9 ever" Quiney had a really obvious weakness blatantly exposed by what you'd call decent bowling, so despite the fact that it was only two innings, it was pretty obvious that he simply wasn't up to scratch at that stage.

[NasserFan207]

Pretty sure 'form' is just confidence and not second-guessing yourself.

[Arachnodouche]

Nah, form is more than just confidence. As a batsman, it comes down to decisions that have to be made in the fraction of a second. When you're in good form, those decisions are made at precise instants which translates into good timing and the ball hitting the middle. When you're out of form or when your skills start waning, you miss those precise moments and can't get the ball off the square. In Sachin's case, it's hard to say which of the two applies but considering his age, it's likelier that he's in terminal decline.

[Xuhaib]

yeah Sachin is more a terminal decline I have seen the great man batting with a low string of scores behind but as soon as he would get in suddenly everything would get going now even if he gets a score as well he looks absolutely woeful at the crease.

[Arachnodouche]

Watching him walk off yesterday was rather painful. The camera panned onto his face and you could see so many emotions playing out. For 23 years, he's been the one constant while the country has metamorphosed and developed. I love ragging on him but I doubt many foreigners realize what he means to India. I wish he hits a hundred in the second innings and signs off for good.

[M0rphin3]

Dhoni unlucky One of the few innings of his that I actually rate. Gun. (Kohli WAG obv)

Like PEWS, don't think he should play tests either - so would he get an extended run as captain courtesy this innings?

[Howe_zat]

"Ashwin Can Bat" on TMS podcast - 3:51

[Anil]

india has really hit rock bottom...and why is sachin hanging around like this? please retire...

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by Spark

things more common than a Tim Bresnan wicket

Sehwag moving his feet
Gambhir playing the short ball well

[Viscount Tom]

India winning a series against Michael Clarke (Aussies can thank me later for this)