.....masterminded by Benson, Bucknor and the Third Umpire with millions watching.
And India can't do anything about that!
Below are links to other related posts today:
Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor
Prophetic Ponting!
Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Links to day one of Sydney Test
Just double click the links for brief stories on today's play. More should be there by the end of play
--Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor
-- Prophetic Ponting!
-- Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
-- This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!
--Aussie Grit; Deaf Bucknor
-- Prophetic Ponting!
-- Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
-- This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!
Ridiculous decision on half use of Technology
One of the reasons why the visiting sides find it very difficult to have Australia on the back foot in Australia, is that critical decisions often tend to go in Australia’s favour. Even with neutral umpires. It is soooo tough to get a leg before against a top Australian batsman.
And the problem gets compounded by the fact that technology is not fully used. Had it been, Australia would have been reeling at 45 for three with Ponting following Jaques and Hayden back to pavilion.
A clear caught behind decision was not given by Mark Benson because judging a nick is entirely at the discretion of an on-field umpire. The use of snickometer is simply not on.
It is ridiculous. One can understand the failure to judge a leg before decision through Hawkeye, but a nick can clearly be judged from one of the angles in 90 per cent of the cases.
High time to increase the use of technology with so much at stake for both the teams. Just one such decision has the potential to close the series for a visiting side.
Pre match offering
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-sickening-cricket-addiction.html
And the problem gets compounded by the fact that technology is not fully used. Had it been, Australia would have been reeling at 45 for three with Ponting following Jaques and Hayden back to pavilion.
A clear caught behind decision was not given by Mark Benson because judging a nick is entirely at the discretion of an on-field umpire. The use of snickometer is simply not on.
It is ridiculous. One can understand the failure to judge a leg before decision through Hawkeye, but a nick can clearly be judged from one of the angles in 90 per cent of the cases.
High time to increase the use of technology with so much at stake for both the teams. Just one such decision has the potential to close the series for a visiting side.
Pre match offering
http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-sickening-cricket-addiction.html
This Sickening Cricket Addiction!!!!!!
It forces one to get up much before time even on such a cold January day.
It compels one to type furiously in dark, and in double the time, just to ensure that the family does not get disturbed.
If forces one to lower the volume of the TV set even though one wishes to hear the ambiance it its full glory.
And all this just to see the first day, first show of a brand new test (!) even though one gets a sinking feeling about the team’s chances even before the Sydney test has begun.
And here I should be representing the collective sentiments of the die-hard fans and cricket writers, who sacrifice all the family values (do not disturb others' sleep before six), put aside their own sleep and cast aside all urgent work, just to see their team in action. An addiction they have been living with for decades.
Meanwhile, in less than half-an-hour from now we will know the composition of the team for sure. That will partly decide if we need to go back to sleep again, or our sleep-deprived eyes will allow us to watch the tone-setting first two hours.
It compels one to type furiously in dark, and in double the time, just to ensure that the family does not get disturbed.
If forces one to lower the volume of the TV set even though one wishes to hear the ambiance it its full glory.
And all this just to see the first day, first show of a brand new test (!) even though one gets a sinking feeling about the team’s chances even before the Sydney test has begun.
And here I should be representing the collective sentiments of the die-hard fans and cricket writers, who sacrifice all the family values (do not disturb others' sleep before six), put aside their own sleep and cast aside all urgent work, just to see their team in action. An addiction they have been living with for decades.
Meanwhile, in less than half-an-hour from now we will know the composition of the team for sure. That will partly decide if we need to go back to sleep again, or our sleep-deprived eyes will allow us to watch the tone-setting first two hours.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sehwag Left out of India Team?
If this report in India Times is correct, and not a part of retaliatory media war by India, then one fears that India are already on the backfoot.
The report says that ''India batsman Virender Sehwag has been left out of the playing eleven whereas Zaheer Khan's fitness might make him sit out as well in the second Test against Australia in Sydney on Wednesday''.
The report adds ''In spite of constant advices by cricket legends, India skipper Anil Kumble chose to opt out Sehwag from playing eleven.''
Blog's take: The legends included Steve Waugh and Javagal Srinath. Though they had advocated Sehwag-Dravid Combo, Sehwag could have only come in Yuvraj's place, making it Sehwag-Jaffer Combo.
About the team's composition, we will know for sure in few hours from now as last minute changes do happen. But if Sehwag is not there, India will certainly be on the backfoot.
One, India will not have a regular opening pair for the second consecutive time.
Second, Dravid will be forced to play as opener, which makes him vulnerable once again.
Third, Laxman at number three on overseas pitches does not inspire much confidence.
Hopefully, there will be a rethink on Sehwag. With Zaheer gone, one believes there will not be much difference. After all, the first few wickets in both the innings were taken by the spinners at Melbourne!
The report says that ''India batsman Virender Sehwag has been left out of the playing eleven whereas Zaheer Khan's fitness might make him sit out as well in the second Test against Australia in Sydney on Wednesday''.
The report adds ''In spite of constant advices by cricket legends, India skipper Anil Kumble chose to opt out Sehwag from playing eleven.''
Blog's take: The legends included Steve Waugh and Javagal Srinath. Though they had advocated Sehwag-Dravid Combo, Sehwag could have only come in Yuvraj's place, making it Sehwag-Jaffer Combo.
About the team's composition, we will know for sure in few hours from now as last minute changes do happen. But if Sehwag is not there, India will certainly be on the backfoot.
One, India will not have a regular opening pair for the second consecutive time.
Second, Dravid will be forced to play as opener, which makes him vulnerable once again.
Third, Laxman at number three on overseas pitches does not inspire much confidence.
Hopefully, there will be a rethink on Sehwag. With Zaheer gone, one believes there will not be much difference. After all, the first few wickets in both the innings were taken by the spinners at Melbourne!
Buch's free advice to struggling India
In this era of free advice though columns and blogs, here are a few tips from Former Australian Coach John Buchanan. Below are the suggestions (All in red with our notes in blue) in one of the News Websites on how India can arrest the Australian domination to ensure that the series remains at 1-0 or 1-1 after Sydney.
In an article on an Australian Website, he writes about the key points for India as:
Being able to score runs as well as occupy the crease (Dravid needs to do the first and the rest need to occupy it)
The Top four batting must dent the Australian attack (Not just weather it. Unless you take the bull by the horn in Australia, you will not succeed!)
Two or three big partnerships in top six, which means player or players registering 100-plus (Forties and fifties are not going to be enough and the likes of Sachin and Sourav must resist long enough)
Opening bowlers need support from another quick bowler (That would mean playing just one spinner even on supposedly spin friendly wickets. To get this Australian side out, you need three good quickies)
When an Australian batting pair begins to dominate, decide quickly on whether they employ wicket taking strategy or a strategy of defence to force an Australian error. (More huddles will be needed to change strategies from time to time as most Australian pair tend to flourish on home grounds)
Good points, But most things India by now must be aware of.
In an article on an Australian Website, he writes about the key points for India as:
Being able to score runs as well as occupy the crease (Dravid needs to do the first and the rest need to occupy it)
The Top four batting must dent the Australian attack (Not just weather it. Unless you take the bull by the horn in Australia, you will not succeed!)
Two or three big partnerships in top six, which means player or players registering 100-plus (Forties and fifties are not going to be enough and the likes of Sachin and Sourav must resist long enough)
Opening bowlers need support from another quick bowler (That would mean playing just one spinner even on supposedly spin friendly wickets. To get this Australian side out, you need three good quickies)
When an Australian batting pair begins to dominate, decide quickly on whether they employ wicket taking strategy or a strategy of defence to force an Australian error. (More huddles will be needed to change strategies from time to time as most Australian pair tend to flourish on home grounds)
Good points, But most things India by now must be aware of.
Sehwag-Dravid Combo finds one more supporter
With India gearing up for a do-or-die battle at Sydney which begins less than 24 hours from now, the call to have Sehwag partnering Dravid is gaining momentum.
After Steve Waugh (http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/steves-team-will-have-sehwag-partnering.html), Javagal Srinath has asked the team management to let Sehwag partner Dravid at the top in a match, which India simply can’t afford to lose.
‘’Given the nature of the surface at the SCG, Sehwag and Rahul should be opening the innings. Sehwag was not only a great hit with the bat on the last tour, but can be very handy with the ball, on a turner like SCG,’’ writes Srinath in his column by Hawkeye/Chivach Sports.
Srinath is convinced that ‘’At present, Rahul needs an aggressive opening partner to complement his style of batting.’’Sehwag should be happy indeed.
If he gets in and scores, there won’t be a better new year gift for him and the Indian Contingent. His selection in that case will turn out to be as inspirational as Ganguly’s inclusion in the Test team for South Africa at the fag end of 2006.
In between, there were two adverse developments for the Indian squad, gearing up to take on Australia.
India’s best batsman in the 1st Test, Ganguly is down with fever though the team management believes that he will be fit in time for the second test. One does recall seeing Ganguly in discomfort during India’s second innings.
Hopefully, he will have recovered sufficiently to bat for long if India are to bat first tomorrow. They simply can’t afford to lose a batsman in form.
The second bad piece of news has been the nature of the pitch. In a story titled ‘’Pacy strip confuses India,’’ the Times of India says ‘’the virgin wicket at the SCG is not quite a spinners’ paradise, but has a bit of grass no it and the ball will carry nicely to the wicketkeeper.’
However, the nature of the pitch should concern only the Indians who are banking heavily on their best attack, which comprises two spinners. The Australians will hardly be bothered, as they have form as well momentum going on their side.
After Steve Waugh (http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/steves-team-will-have-sehwag-partnering.html), Javagal Srinath has asked the team management to let Sehwag partner Dravid at the top in a match, which India simply can’t afford to lose.
‘’Given the nature of the surface at the SCG, Sehwag and Rahul should be opening the innings. Sehwag was not only a great hit with the bat on the last tour, but can be very handy with the ball, on a turner like SCG,’’ writes Srinath in his column by Hawkeye/Chivach Sports.
Srinath is convinced that ‘’At present, Rahul needs an aggressive opening partner to complement his style of batting.’’Sehwag should be happy indeed.
If he gets in and scores, there won’t be a better new year gift for him and the Indian Contingent. His selection in that case will turn out to be as inspirational as Ganguly’s inclusion in the Test team for South Africa at the fag end of 2006.
In between, there were two adverse developments for the Indian squad, gearing up to take on Australia.
India’s best batsman in the 1st Test, Ganguly is down with fever though the team management believes that he will be fit in time for the second test. One does recall seeing Ganguly in discomfort during India’s second innings.
Hopefully, he will have recovered sufficiently to bat for long if India are to bat first tomorrow. They simply can’t afford to lose a batsman in form.
The second bad piece of news has been the nature of the pitch. In a story titled ‘’Pacy strip confuses India,’’ the Times of India says ‘’the virgin wicket at the SCG is not quite a spinners’ paradise, but has a bit of grass no it and the ball will carry nicely to the wicketkeeper.’
However, the nature of the pitch should concern only the Indians who are banking heavily on their best attack, which comprises two spinners. The Australians will hardly be bothered, as they have form as well momentum going on their side.
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