India tour of Australia Nov'20-Jan'21

[qpeedore]

2 more wickets and barring a massive tail wag, India to win this one. Smith stands between them and a memorable victory after a memorable series.

Pant took that catch down the leg side quite well. He's got to be carrying a bit of a niggle but he's definitely not showing it.

 

[qpeedore]

Saini into the attack. Parth/Batman/@The Dark Knight. might be quaking in his shoes at the moment. Or do you want more Deadpool and Joker memes?

 

[RichieBGM]

This is nerve wracking now. I reckon that embarrassing 36 at Adelaide has galvanized the Indians. Shows their incredible character. Harshe Bogle made a good point about what may lie behind this Indian resilience and never say die attitude. Many of the good young cricketers coming thru their system have not been given an easy ride into first class cricket due to them being from poorer rural areas with far less amenities and opportunities than the cities. They have had to battle against the odds to reach the top. That builds character.

The Indians will never again be termed cricket easybeats when playing abroad if they can pull off a win in this last game.

 

[qpeedore]

@RichieBGM that 36 was against what would be termed India's first choice squad.

It's partly the lack of knowledge on Australia's part, they just don't quite know these upcoming guys. How can they? The Ranji Trophy isn't exactly broadcasted worldwide. Was it Border or Gilly who mentioned that the Indians have pretty much done their homework against every single Aussie batsman?

Wait, a review.

This is umpire's call. Probably height. Yeah, missing. Height.

That review was another tight one on Natarajan in terms of the front foot. They're not focusing on that but I noticed it. I say don't tell him a thing, if he goes past Shannon Gabriel in terms of no balls I won't be disappointed.

 

[qpeedore]

Lunch on Day 4 and I still can't give you a winner here. A couple of wickets early in the next session and India could well go a long way toward a victory. On the other hand, Smith/Green/Paine could easily take the match firmly into their hands.

Does the series win matter? Australia have everything to lose. They're the team that needs to push for a win. India only needs a draw. But with Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Sundar Washington...the Indians will want to chase.

Then you've got Lyon, his century of Tests. The Star Wars Stormtroopers will make another appearance before this match is over. Lyon needs what, 4 wickets to 400? Don't count him out on a Day 5 pitch, even though this pitch has held up rather superbly.

And the final thing. The weather. Rain will likely play a part before this match is over. Will it play to the Aussies or the Indians? A damp outfield can slow a scoring rate, but humidity (for reasons yet to officially be explained) helps swing.

This match is balanced so nicely. I'd love to say I'm neutral, but the fact is that I am backing India simply because they've pushed through all the injuries to remain competitive.

 

[RichieBGM]

@RichieBGM that 36 was against what would be termed India's first choice squad.

I know that. I am speaking in general about the character and resilience of the Indian cricketer. I understand that two or is it three of this reserve bowing attack are not from the major cities where those players have the run of the best training and playing amenities and the best chance to impress BCCI scouts.

No doubt if Rangi Trophy was shown in Australia we'd be more up to date with the ins and outs of all of India's best young First Class cricketers. Perhaps CA needs to send scouts over there and check em out.

If this Indian side was playing anyone other than Australia or New Zealand I too would not remain neutral. I'd be helping to push them over the line. They have impressed me that much and no doubt the Australian players and public as well.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Great fight again by our inexperienced bowling attack. Saini is clearly struggling though.

And sadly its advantage Australia here. They are bound to get to a lead of 250 plus and most likely 300+ with Smith still. Cannot expect another day of heroics from this young squad on the last day with the pitch already starting to misbehave a bit and cracks truly opening up

Rain could help but forecast isn't too bad and not many overs might be lost. And overcast and damp conditions might again play to Australia's strength

Regardless, proud of these guys as an Indian fan

 

[abhi_jacko]

Barring a couple of wickets early on in the series, has this leg side attack line and field been very fruitful to be persisted with. I wonder if a more simpler approach of attacking the off stump would be more effective in stemming the runs here

 

[qpeedore]

I haven't been looking at the TV much since play restarted...been intrigued with a few snippets of work/school/career-related stuff.

Sundar indeed has been working that leg stump a lot. He's what, an off spinner?

Oh, well when he bowls off stump, Smith just caresses the ball to the mid off boundary.

But is that any reason to bowl a defensive line? I think that he's being a bit too...bleh...after lunch here. Unless he's looking for either the armball or the "other one" he would probably be better off bowling at middle and off, probably 3/4 of the way up.

My one over so far of seeing Natarajan I haven't seen much of a middle or middle and leg line. He's pretty much on or outside off. I haven't seen the field...

THAT'S A DROP OFF OF SUNDAR. And it went for four, too. I think that was Smith, too.

EDIT: 120-140 in a session isn't inescapable if Smith/Paine/Green are willing to attack. Add another 50-60 in the final session. That would dangle quite the large juicy carrot for India in 3 and a half sessions. They'd have to bat hard to get it, but it's not impossible.

 

[qpeedore]

That was a rough chance. But it was a chance. These are the things that need to be taken in such a close match. That's technically two drops for Siraj now.

Can't fault him for that last one though. Can fault him for Smith's opportunity.

 

[qpeedore]

Is Smith reviewing? He's shaking his glove and his non-dominant hand at the same time.

That's glove, and a lot of glove too. He must have known that. That was a review out of desperation I think. (EDIT) And it was within the time limit this occasion.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Australia already has enough for a win here and they will add atleast another 40-50 runs

 

[Bigby Wolf]

What a Match Shardul Thakur is having! A total of 5 wickets in the match and a half century.

I feel this is heading for a Draw or an Australian win because if India is trying to be too ambitious they might end up losing on the 5th day track which is getting weary as the match progress.

Draw has to be ideal result with rain likely to come.

 

[qpeedore]

Tonight has been rather quiet, I'd have been better off editing my first post rather than continuing to add posts. Last night wasn't the same, last night we had a hell of a lot more discussion. For my first foray into this thread, the talk was rather healthy.

Anyways, as long as I stay awake, I won't keep spamming, I'll just edit this post. Refresh your page whenever something special happens. F5 on desktops, FN+F5 on laptops, on Android devices using Chrome, swipe all the way up. Dunno about Apple devices.

I still think anything under 320 in 3 and a half sessions is gettable. I don't think that India has the resources to push for a draw. They've got to go for the outright win.

12.23am - Paine is favouring his finger. I think Wade is a proper wicketkeeper if Paine can't wear the gloves, isn't he?

12.25am - Doesn't quite matter now, he's out. And Shardul has his third. I'm still saying that Pant is carrying a rib injury but you'd never know it.

12.31am - When you can actually see the rain on the TV cameras, it's probably time to go off. Damn. This was a great passage of play. Depending on how long the delay lasts, Australia might do well to declare. They've got the quicks, but I keep stressing that Lyon is going to do well in the last innings. They'd do well to bowl Marnus and Smith a bit too. Those cracks that I've seen...they can come into play. Been an intriguing match so far, and the Border/Gavaskar Trophy is on the line. To actually have AB on commentary is awesome, even if I haven't heard a thing all night.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Tonight has been rather quiet, I'd have been better off editing my first post rather than continuing to add posts. Last night wasn't the same, last night we had a hell of a lot more discussion.

Probably because it was the weekend yesterday and it's a working day today