Australia v India Test Series: General Discussion

[BacchusMarsh]

let the umps make the call.

Fine by me.

Smith is the captain of his country. That behaviour crossed a line, no way to sugar-coat it.

 

[CaptJCool]

No one wins scoring 137 for a full innings.

its the main batters that blew it. unhelpful selections and only one long-termer in the top 6 with a proven track performance.

on that basis, seems like the second Test re-run all over again. It's just surprising we were this competitive for this long !!

 

[JohnK]

We had to bat out the day and some more tomorrow to make a match of it.

Run rates do not win test matches. We started with a blaze on the first morning and look like losing this match badly after being 1-144 in the first innings and llosing the last 19 wickets for 293.

What else can you say? The bowlers have worked hard all series.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

BCCI post clip of Matthew Wade's and Steve Smith's row with Ravindra Jadeja

"How come you don't get picked outside India? Why is that? Why don't you get picked?" Wade said.
(...)
"You don't deserve to play anywhere but here because you're useless," Smith barked.

Are they *sure* Wade and Smith were sledging Jadeja and not SMarsh?

(I guess the latter might have been off the field with his bad back.)

 

[Warks]

If we were 0-3 down and heading for a consolation win we'd all probably feel better now. But the fact is we've done sooo much better than the last few tours even though we are way too dependent on Smith batting although our bowlers have been up to it at least. Except for their nagging inability to get the seventh wicket. In hindsight Hazlewood should have been rested for Bird for this match. Khawaja might as well have been given a go with Marsh an injury basket case - he generally doesn't play more than three games without getting injured so the time was right.

The only question now is whether Australia can build on what they've learned in this series for next time against other SC teams.
The only other question is whether India will win by ten, nine or eight wickets.

 

[Warks]

Okay it's at most eight wickets now. India 2-47. Terrible run out of Pujara by Maxwell. Terrible for Pujara that is. Still a twist?

 

[JohnK]

Unfortunately all over now. Lose series 2-1. Still a very good result where we were expected to lose 4-0!

 

[RB]

Considering how the test was placed at lunch on Day 1, I think this was the worst team performance of the series.
Certainly a better series result than had been predicted but there will surely be a few "what ifs" when the players look back.

 

[Franky]

Maxwell seems a good replacement for one Marsh. Now to do something about the other.

Well - who are you going to pick on now? Seems like the collective team effort overseas has fallen short again. As usual, those on the other side of the RPF zero in on any player from WA..

 

[BacchusMarsh]

As usual, those on the other side of the RPF zero in on any player from WA..

Don't know what the RPF is, but can assure you I'd be happy enough for the entire team to be from WA if they were sufficiently qualified.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Considering how the test was placed at lunch on Day 1, I think this was the worst team performance of the series.
Certainly a better series result than had been predicted but there will surely be a few "what ifs" when the players look back.

Yes I agree. Was most disappointed at the performance. After first innings by both teams I was looking fwd to a great finish and thought that it was set up for a great cricket session for two days. We fell very short.

Poor performance by Australia. Well done Indians.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

I can't find much to fault in the Australian bowling performance for the entire series. It's pretty much unprecedented for a recent touring team.

Pretty sure the blame needs to be placed on the batting half of the ledger.

 

[moa999]

And a bit with the selectors...
But reality is our players generally struggle with spin.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Pretty sure the blame needs to be placed on the batting half of the ledger.

In India it is a matter of attrition and you need to bat deep, very deep and be willing to accumulate runs rather than attack for them. However this includes the tail, and our tail was way short of the Indian tail in contributing runs.

Warner had a nightmare of a series.

Marsh was pick based on form along long ago, and the other Marsh was chosen on hoped for form, rather than actual current form.

Also we had too many left handed batsmen which made it easier for the Indian attack.

 

[Franky]

Don't know what the RPF is, but can assure you I'd be happy enough for the entire team to be from WA if they were sufficiently qualified.

Rabbit Proof Fence..

 

[Warks]

So no Tests before the Ashes in November? That's a long break. There's the pretend World Cup in England at some stage isn't there?

You'd think Aus would be favourites for the Ashes in Australia with the pace attack looking ominous. I don't think we'll see the BCCI-sanctioned roads for pitches this summer. Warner is worth his place again. Smith should score tons at will. But others have to stand up if Aus is to win the series.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

So no Tests before the Ashes in November?

Right. Meanwhile England have four tests against RSA and three against the Windies.

Nicely placed if the paceman stay fit. England don't have anyone to take over from Broad and Anderson yet.

 

[RB]

A sad reflection on Aust cricket that the Shield final is also held this week & held in Alice Springs. What a farce!

 

[moa999]

Well done the Vics.
Not sure what the farce is. The Vics have always lost their grounds when the AFL season starts and test players often miss Shield games

 

[whatmeworry]

I think that the Sheffield Shield can't be played on their home ground due to the AFL is the main reason.