I think they might be a better chasing side too. With their top order, they can cut a long way into a total early early and then just grind it out. For totals around 300, they normally wouldn't have to worry so much about pressure to score at the end. Then again, if they're chasing 350, they'll probably still have to be able to reach top gear on the final straight.
Yeah India should chase, batting is their strength. But then again Australia like to defend so it would suit them as well. In that case where there is no strategic gain, the choice should be based on conditions.
Top order too slow: Ponting | Cricket World Cup 2011, Live Cricket | Fox Sports
You can see Ponting is on his last legs. First he is telling Haddin he needs to be there till the end now hes back tracking and saying the top order needs to be more aggressive.
Telling Haddin to bat long has been a mistake really. I remember reading (from Tim Neilsen or Justin Langer) that the openers were aiming to bat 20 overs. I think they should be aiming at 10, and then one of them should be going hard during the bowling PP - preferably Haddin at the moment because his middle over run milking stinks. That 10-15 over period is a great time to attack because the opening bowlers are done and it can unsettle the 3rd and 4th bowlers.
^ Going with Chawla and Munaf is a bit risky as they can both leak runs. I would've replaced them with Sree and Ashwin.
Plus Sree got some vicious swing in the first match.
Agree. If I were India, I'd play Sreesanth, but only RELY on him for a few overs. If he's getting good movement and is in the zone, of course he could bowl more, but be prepared to cut your losses if he's bad. He could be the wildcard to break Australia open. If he doesn't come off, then make up the other 35 overs or so with spin: Harbhajan, Ashwin, Yuvraj and Yusuf or even Sehwag - shouldn't be too much trouble. Play Ashwin because if Chawla and Sree play together it might be too much risk.
Be interested to see if the selectors stay with Cameron White for the big match. Everyone's talking about Dave Hussey as his replacement, but if he does go, I'd pick Ferguson myself. We don't need Dave's off spinners - he'd be the 7th bowler if he was used, and Michael Clarke is basically as effective, plus he spins the ball the other way to Krejza. If Steve Smith gets dropped, THEN you pick Dave Hussey as your 6th bowler and drop White down to #7.
