Cricket

berbatrick said:
2003 in Australia was one of my favourite tours as an India fan (especially that generation of players). Ganguly 144 to start the tour, Dravid double and Laxman century (reverse Eden Gardens), Sehwag 195 (but Ponting did eve better), and finally Sachin 240 with India 700/7 declared in Waugh's farewell :lol:


Edit: Forgot about Agarkar turning into Wasim Akram for one innings
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I think Kumble got a 8-fer in Steve Waugh's final game but Katich batted well and denied India the series win. Sachin scored his highest score at that point of time (followed it up with 60* in 2nd innings and 194* in Multan). Even Parthiv Patel scored a half century!

If not for Agarkar's 6/42, Adelaide would have been a high scoring draw. Very rare to see a side score nearly 550 and still lose. Ponting followed up his double at Adelaide with another double in Melbourne but India collapsed after Sehwag's dismissal at 195. Tried to hit a six over mid wicket against the turn didn't he? That would have been his first ever double ton but experts said he should have stuck to taking singles. Does he listen? Reached his (and India's) first triple century in Multan with a six only a couple of months later!
 
Australia :lol:

Herath hat-trick :eek:
 
how to beat australia at cricket
  1. play them at cricket
 
MichaelKorleone said:
I think Kumble got a 8-fer in Steve Waugh's final game but Katich batted well and denied India the series win. Sachin scored his highest score at that point of time (followed it up with 60* in 2nd innings and 194* in Multan). Even Parthiv Patel scored a half century!

If not for Agarkar's 6/42, Adelaide would have been a high scoring draw. Very rare to see a side score nearly 550 and still lose. Ponting followed up his double at Adelaide with another double in Melbourne but India collapsed after Sehwag's dismissal at 195. Tried to hit a six over mid wicket against the turn didn't he? That would have been his first ever double ton but experts said he should have stuck to taking singles. Does he listen? Reached his (and India's) first triple century in Multan with a six only a couple of months later!
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He scored a six to reach his double hundred in that match as well, from what I remember.
 
Australia - Tigers at home, Lambs abroad.

Getting beaten by one of the worst Sri Lankan team in years. LOL!
 
Good in home conditions, shit away is pretty much the theme across all teams. The continuous rise of T20 will make it worse as nobody has time or inclination to develop technique good enough across condition and surfaces. Only way out then is just keep hitting on surfaces you are not comfortable with, in tests too. Warner got 43 yesterday. Taking bit of aggressive approach might have taken Australia to 200 or above. If batsmen try to hang around and don't have technique, it is of no use.
 
The Man Himself said:
Good in home conditions, shit away is pretty much the theme across all teams. The continuous rise of T20 will make it worse as nobody has time or inclination to develop technique good enough across condition and surfaces. Only way out then is just keep hitting on surfaces you are not comfortable with, in tests too. Warner got 43 yesterday. Taking bit of aggressive approach might have taken Australia to 200 or above. If batsmen try to hang around and don't have technique, it is of no use.
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South Africa used to be very good travellers.

Went for almost 7/8 years without a year series defeat on the road. But you are right that most teams are now just home track bullies.
 
K2K said:
South Africa used to be very good travellers.

Went for almost 7/8 years without a year series defeat on the road. But you are right that most teams are now just home track bullies.
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India had 3 tours with SA that ended 1-1, 2 at home and 1 away. In both series in India, Steyn had one monster match each and destroyed our batting with pitiful ease.
1st series had Ganguly's last "great" innings, 87 on a terrible pitch to take the match away from SA.

The 2nd was an under-rated series, really brilliant. 1st test: no Laxman or Dravid, Ganguly recently retired, and the SA quicks tear through our inexperienced batting. Innings win despite Sachin 100 in the follow-on. Next time Laxman is back, hits a monster 150 (Sachin and Sehwag also hit a lot), and Harbhajan gets the last wicket with 15 minutes left and invincible Amla stranded at the other end. Too much drama.

The away series was Sachin's last great tour. His 36 in the 1st innings, when everyone else was clueless and he was hitting pull shots for 4, was one of my favourite innings. He hit a 100 in the follow on (we still lost by an innings, again). Then on the green top Sreesanth and Harbhajan come to life, and Laxman holds the batting. 1-1. Kallis was crazily consistent in that series too.


I really liked our Test team from 2007 (after the awful World Cup) till 2011 (just before the next WC). Legendary middle order and great openers meant they could usually escape with draws if stuck, and Harbhajan or some fast bowler randomly won matches out of nothing for rare overseas wins. The only series defeats were to Murali+Mendis when he was still a mystery, and that tour of Aus.
During that time SA was the only team that didn't lose to us at home, and they really deserved that #1 for the brief while they got it. They even won their away series in Australia :eek:
 
K2K said:
South Africa used to be very good travellers.

Went for almost 7/8 years without a year series defeat on the road. But you are right that most teams are now just home track bullies.
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They were, for 7/8 years, just a very good team. This Australia team isn't a very good team, but they think they are, so they approach every test series home or away with this arrogant 'we don't need to play the conditions, we're a very good team, and we're going to hammer you' attitude of previous Aussie teams without having anywhere near the ability to back it up.

As for @RedTiger what is there to say really? Its clear that SA have a problem with representation in Cricket. Their population is about 80% black and you can count on one hand the number of black players that have made it into the side since re-admission. Ensuring SA's long term future means they have to do something, they can't keep relying on the top schools in the country to churn out players whilst ignoring the rest of the population. But they've gone about in possibly the stupidest way possible and, probably, are about to cause a talent drain and a Zimbabweisation of South African cricket.
 
berbatrick said:
India had 3 tours with SA that ended 1-1, 2 at home and 1 away. In both series in India, Steyn had one monster match each and destroyed our batting with pitiful ease.
1st series had Ganguly's last "great" innings, 87 on a terrible pitch to take the match away from SA.

The 2nd was an under-rated series, really brilliant. 1st test: no Laxman or Dravid, Ganguly recently retired, and the SA quicks tear through our inexperienced batting. Innings win despite Sachin 100 in the follow-on. Next time Laxman is back, hits a monster 150 (Sachin and Sehwag also hit a lot), and Harbhajan gets the last wicket with 15 minutes left and invincible Amla stranded at the other end. Too much drama.

The away series was Sachin's last great tour. His 36 in the 1st innings, when everyone else was clueless and he was hitting pull shots for 4, was one of my favourite innings. He hit a 100 in the follow on (we still lost by an innings, again). Then on the green top Sreesanth and Harbhajan come to life, and Laxman holds the batting. 1-1. Kallis was crazily consistent in that series too.


I really liked our Test team from 2007 (after the awful World Cup) till 2011 (just before the next WC). Legendary middle order and great openers meant they could usually escape with draws if stuck, and Harbhajan or some fast bowler randomly won matches out of nothing for rare overseas wins. The only series defeats were to Murali+Mendis when he was still a mystery, and that tour of Aus.
During that time SA was the only team that didn't lose to us at home, and they really deserved that #1 for the brief while they got it. They even won their away series in Australia :eek:
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Not just once but twice.

Did the same with England winning both tours

I think their biggest skill was just to hang on there even after a poor start away. Obviously having a couple of match winners doesn't hurt.
 
NinjaFletch said:
They were, for 7/8 years, just a very good team. This Australia team isn't a very good team, but they think they are, so they approach every test series home or away with this arrogant 'we don't need to play the conditions, we're a very good team, and we're going to hammer you' attitude of previous Aussie teams without having anywhere near the ability to back it up.

As for @RedTiger what is there to say really? Its clear that SA have a problem with representation in Cricket. Their population is about 80% black and you can count on one hand the number of black players that have made it into the side since re-admission. Ensuring SA's long term future means they have to do something, they can't keep relying on the top schools in the country to churn out players whilst ignoring the rest of the population. But they've gone about in possibly the stupidest way possible and, probably, are about to cause a talent drain and a Zimbabweisation of South African cricket.
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I think it's just in the Australian sporting DNA to be a bit arrogant. But they are still world champions so you can see why.

As for SA,cricket is only the third biggest sport making the search talent that much harder. Forced quota systems don't really work but that is a cheap populist trick to win over the masses. Proper grassroot development is what is required.
 
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Agree? Kohli still unproven as captain imo. Don't really rate Smith at all, would have had Williamson over him any day. AB as the WK is also a dodgy call.
 
Samid said:
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Agree? Kohli still unproven as captain imo. Don't really rate Smith at all, would have had Williamson over him any day. AB as the WK is also a dodgy call.
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Not sure about Stokes. I like Smith but would also go for Williamson ahead of him.
 
Samid said:
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Agree? Kohli still unproven as captain imo. Don't really rate Smith at all, would have had Williamson over him any day. AB as the WK is also a dodgy call.
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Don't really like that team. Hasn't Cook been cack for a long time, until this season? Three number fours in a row (not that it's greatly important). AB as a wicket keeper? Ben Stokes on the basis that he scored a 250 in one match? Mitchell Starc, why (feck, just realised he's got 11 wickets in this match)?
 
Di Maria's angel said:
Don't really like that team. Hasn't Cook been cack for a long time, until this season? Three number fours in a row (not that it's greatly important). AB as a wicket keeper? Ben Stokes on the basis that he scored a 250 in one match? Mitchell Starc, why (feck, just realised he's got 11 wickets in this match)?
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No. Had a poor 13/14 but has been averaging over 50 for the past two years.
 
Samid said:
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Agree? Kohli still unproven as captain imo. Don't really rate Smith at all, would have had Williamson over him any day. AB as the WK is also a dodgy call.
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That bowling attack is great. Super variety.
 
That Sky Sports World Test XI was chosen by Warne, Atherton and Ramiz Raja. It's not the ICC World Test XI, which considers Aug-July time period I think. Anyway Steyn played only two matches during this period, I think? Wouldn't be surprised if he's omitted from ICC XI
 
:lol:

Of course Ramiz and Warne formed 2/3rds of the selection committee of that side. If it's based on the last year, where's Jonny Bairstow? I'm certain he's got more runs than De Villiers within the last year. Kohli should not be ahead of Williamson, statistically speaking, also considering Williamson's just managed to score 100's against every test playing nation it's ridiculous he's not in the side.

Batting No's since 01 July 2015:
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...5;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

As for the bowling where do I start? Stokes and Ashwin are playing for one place dependant on the pitch, no way should Stokes be 3rd seamer, that's bloody barmy. I mean Woakes has as many test wickets in the same period in half as many tests, there's so much batting you don't need to shoehorn Stokes in. Broad should be in ahead of Starc, economy rate and ability to pull out ridiculous bowling spells out of nowhere swing it for me. I'd have Starc in ahead of Stokes/Ashwin depending on the pitch batting at 8. Also Herath and Lyon are underrated.

Bowling No's since 01 July 2015:
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...5;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling
 
ArmchairCritic said:
:lol:

Of course Ramiz and Warne formed 2/3rds of the selection committee of that side. If it's based on the last year, where's Jonny Bairstow? I'm certain he's got more runs than De Villiers within the last year. Kohli should not be ahead of Williamson, statistically speaking, also considering Williamson's just managed to score 100's against every test playing nation it's ridiculous he's not in the side.

Batting No's since 01 July 2015:
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...5;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting

As for the bowling where do I start? Stokes and Ashwin are playing for one place dependant on the pitch, no way should Stokes be 3rd seamer, that's bloody barmy. I mean Woakes has as many test wickets in the same period in half as many tests, there's so much batting you don't need to shoehorn Stokes in. Broad should be in ahead of Starc, economy rate and ability to pull out ridiculous bowling spells out of nowhere swing it for me. I'd have Starc in ahead of Stokes/Ashwin depending on the pitch batting at 8. Also Herath and Lyon are underrated.

Bowling No's since 01 July 2015:
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...5;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling
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Just had a look at Williamson's stats and they're not that impressive. Averaging in the late 30's against England, India, Pakistan and South Africa isn't very good, at all. And when you look at Kohli in Australia, NZ and SA, you'll know why he's included - averages more than 60 in each of the aforementioned countries. I do rate Kane very highly but excluding him for Kohli isn't bewildering. I don't, however, rate Smith and feel he shouldn't be there.

There's absolutely no way Stokes should be there. Having looked back in Starc's performances over the last two years, I take back what I said earlier about him not deserving to be there.

I'd drop Stokes for Williamson. Shah (although harsh) for Boult. Maybe even Morkel for Herath.
 
Di Maria's angel said:
There's absolutely no way Stokes should be there. Having looked back in Starc's performances over the last two years, I take back what I said earlier about him not deserving to be there.
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Starc has been injured a bit as well as having hot and cold tests in the last 2 years imo

Still done very well in odis
 
Kane Williamson completes the set with a century against Zimbabwe. Total 14 centuries against all 9 test playing nations. Hasn't yet scored a century in SA (where he averages under 11) but NZ tour there next. Ross Taylor has now become the highest run scorer for NZ moving past Martin Crowe.
 
Di Maria's angel said:
Just had a look at Williamson's stats and they're not that impressive. Averaging in the late 30's against England, India, Pakistan and South Africa isn't very good, at all. And when you look at Kohli in Australia, NZ and SA, you'll know why he's included - averages more than 60 in each of the aforementioned countries. I do rate Kane very highly but excluding him for Kohli isn't bewildering. I don't, however, rate Smith and feel he shouldn't be there.

There's absolutely no way Stokes should be there. Having looked back in Starc's performances over the last two years, I take back what I said earlier about him not deserving to be there.

I'd drop Stokes for Williamson. Shah (although harsh) for Boult. Maybe even Morkel for Herath.
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Kohli's not in because he didn't have a clue in England last time, can't imagine Williamson ever batting that bad.
 
ArmchairCritic said:
Kohli's not in because he didn't have a clue in England last time, can't imagine Williamson ever batting that bad.
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Yes, he was poor in England, but he's improved immensely since. Dominated Australia, and batted valiantly in difficult Asian conditions against SL and SA.

As for Williamson, he averages 10 in South Africa, albeit in two matches.
 
Cooksen said:
Starc has been injured a bit as well as having hot and cold tests in the last 2 years imo

Still done very well in odis
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My first thoughts, as well (injuries). But he had very good 2015 and has ripped through SL in, what seem to be, spin friendly conditions.
 
Di Maria's angel said:
I'd drop Stokes for Williamson. Shah (although harsh) for Boult. Maybe even Morkel for Herath.
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Shah is a weird one. I was watching polite enquires last night and Dobell and Kimber agreed that they think this series has proved he's a bit overrated and that he doesn't have many weapons. I thought that was a bit premature, but I do wonder if there's some truth in it.

I wanted to get into a discussion about it on reddit but then got shouted at by some idiot who couldn't read who got very angry with me for criticising Pakistan's bowling performance yesterday and thought better of risking having to talk to him again.
 
NinjaFletch said:
Shah is a weird one. I was watching polite enquires last night and Dobell and Kimber agreed that they think this series has proved he's a bit overrated and that he doesn't have many weapons. I thought that was a bit premature, but I do wonder if there's some truth in it.

I wanted to get into a discussion about it on reddit but then got shouted at by some idiot who couldn't read who got very angry with me for criticising Pakistan's bowling performance yesterday and thought better of risking having to talk to him again.
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I don't think he's over rated, his wickets per game ratio is very impressive and, considering he's played most of his games in the UAE, makes you stand up and take notice. However, at this moment in time, for me, he's not better than Ashwin and Herath - plus both are more than useful with the bat.

It would be interesting to see how he'd perform in spin friendly conditions. I think Pakistan are due to tour India in the future and I expect him to be quite menacing on those pitches.
 
Marlon Samuels is the highest wicket taking player in this West Indies side :(
 
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