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Walken said:
Kholi wants this bad, he proper hates the aussies
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Yes he's a class act and for me the best in the world atm, but has shown already this tour that he can be dismissed cheaply too. He was almost gone late in the day which shows you are never really in on this wicket.

India played very well in that last session. It was a grind but Kohli and Rahane stayed there and then profited in the last hour or so when the bowlers tired.

But still I was surprised to see 'WinViz' had them slightly ahead the last time they went to it about half an hour before the close.

For me, Australia are ahead in the game because:

- They're still well Infront on first innings runs
- The pitch remains green and nice to bowl on
- The new ball is due shortly
- India are sporting a very long 4 man tail and even Vahari and Pant aren't massively reliable

So even if Kohli has a fantastic conversion rate and Rahane is a very good player, there is too much riding on these two for me.

As an aside, if India are playing with a tail like this their openers can't be getting cleaned up for zip by the new ball. We saw this in England last summer and it happened again today. Both are too rigid and the lack of foot movement will get exposed against top bowlers.

The bookies have it about right with either side in with a chance and Australia still favourites.

India bat last and Australia do have Nathan Lyon who has shown good control so far but should extract a lot more help in the fourth innings, especially with the daytime temperature not too far off 40C.
 
JimmyJeffers said:
Probably my favourite sport to watch right now. Don’t really care about other international sports apart from cricket. It’s a shame that test cricket appears to be dying a slow death in many countries. Would love to see a strong West Indies test side again
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I think it's getting a resurgence...certainly in NZ it is
 
deipnosophist said:
Enjoyable first day's play vs Sri Lanka...Sri Lanka fought back well from 9 for 3 wickets to conclude the day at 275/9. Lovely weather...
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Managed to catch a little of the first session of the New Zealand v Sri Lanka test from the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

The Kiwis had barely set foot off the plane back from their highly successful UAE trip, but won a good toss, inserted Sri Lanka and started brilliantly on a green top with Tim Southee seeing Sri Lanka to 9-3.

Kurunaratne and Mathews steadied the ship though and upon waking this morning I saw they'd got to 275-9. Not a load of runs but certainly better than it looked at one stage.

Niroshan Dickwella made a good contribution down the order.

I do hope the excitable little keeper has been swotting up on the lbw law though as we can do without his almost kneejerk appeals to every other ball, it gets tiresome and doesn't even do his own team any good.

Wasted reviews with ridiculous appeals are usually followed by everyone ignoring him when he does have a case.

It may help if he learnt the basic rules.
 
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deipnosophist said:
lost our first wicket on the very last ball before lunch...it's a bit 'Everton that'
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Madness from Raval, what on earth was he thinking on the stroke of lunch too?

Brain fade which he can rue at leisure -

He'd played so fluently as well in what are now perfect batting conditions with the sun out and all set fair. He had done all the hard work and looked set for a big one, a missed opportunity.

Decent platform and weather to go on though and take control.
 
Chris O'Connor said:
Yes he's a class act and for me the best in the world atm, but has shown already this tour that he can be dismissed cheaply too. He was almost gone late in the day which shows you are never really in on this wicket.

India played very well in that last session. It was a grind but Kohli and Rahane stayed there and then profited in the last hour or so when the bowlers tired.

But still I was surprised to see 'WinViz' had them slightly ahead the last time they went to it about half an hour before the close.

For me, Australia are ahead in the game because:

- They're still well Infront on first innings runs
- The pitch remains green and nice to bowl on
- The new ball is due shortly
- India are sporting a very long 4 man tail and even Vahari and Pant aren't massively reliable

So even if Kohli has a fantastic conversion rate and Rahane is a very good player, there is too much riding on these two for me.

As an aside, if India are playing with a tail like this their openers can't be getting cleaned up for zip by the new ball. We saw this in England last summer and it happened again today. Both are too rigid and the lack of foot movement will get exposed against top bowlers.

The bookies have it about right with either side in with a chance and Australia still favourites.

India bat last and Australia do have Nathan Lyon who has shown good control so far but should extract a lot more help in the fourth innings, especially with the daytime temperature not too far off 40C.
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no doubt he's the best batsman in the world, and by the way that is regardless of smiths situation, kholi is better. and having the best batsman in the world care about test cricket so much is a real virtue
 
Chris O'Connor said:
Madness from Raval, what on earth was he thinking on the stroke of lunch too?

Brain fade which he can rue at leisure -

He'd played so fluently as well in what are now perfect batting conditions with the sun out and all set fair. He had done all the hard work and looked set for a big one, a missed opportunity.

Decent platform and weather to go on though and take control.
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I suspect Kane Williamson might get a big score...he's a very good batsman
 
Walken said:
no doubt he's the best batsman in the world, and by the way that is regardless of smiths situation, kholi is better. and having the best batsman in the world care about test cricket so much is a real virtue
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Yes a fine player but as so widely predicted too much depends on him for this Indian team to compete away from home, that tail always makes them vulnerable and you can always add three or four wickets to the score to see how good it really is.

Nathan Lyon awaits in the fourth innings and 200 is already looking a big ask to me.

I've said before I still think this Australian sides batting far too fragile with so much inexperience and not enough talent to replace their premiere ones, India should have enough over the four tests, they must take advantage now as they will never get a better chance.

I'm convinced all of their trio will be back for the Ashes although still hoping Warner won't.
 
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Interesting last hour and 10 mins at Perth Australia 104-3, 147 runs on with Khawaja and Travis Head in.

Aaron Finch retired hurt and went for x-rays on his finger, Mitchell Starc had already hit him there twice in tge nets so the,further blow caused a lot of pain.

He may resume later but possibly have to wait until the close for news
 
You have to laugh when batsmen just don't learn lessons, Travis Head out ct at third man again, India had two men out waiting so the trap was set and obvious after he had obliged in the first knock, so to do it again was brainless.

Funny though
 
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