Test Cricket draft: SF : harshad vs Aldo @ Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Who will win test match?

  • Total voters
    15
  • Poll closed .
Aldo said:
I admit that, and you don't want that 50-50 scenario from a key batsman who needs to perform to give you that advantage you gained by winning the toss in such a tough game. There's nothing to defend Sehwag's lack of reliability, specially relatively.
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Unless you have the gavaskars, tendulkars, Richards, laras, sobers etc of the game, it's always a matter of odds which are even or thereabouts even talking of batsmen even from the 2nd/3rd tier. Would a Smith be more reliable? Definitely. Doesn't mean he's somehow certain to give the team a good start though especially when you consider the quality of bowling attacks in the draft atm.
Sehwag definitely isn't someone you want to rely on due to his style but harshad's batting has the likes of dravid and Pollock to follow. I don't see it as a case of Sehwag performs = draw, fails = loss either as you say in the above post. He's just 1 wheel. I'd actually call dravid and Pollock as the key to the result from harshad's batting side there, not Sehwag.
 
Varun said:
Unless you have the gavaskars, tendulkars, Richards, laras, sobers etc of the game, it's always a matter of odds which are even or thereabouts even talking of batsmen even from the 2nd/3rd tier. Would a Smith be more reliable? Definitely. Doesn't mean he's somehow certain to give the team a good start though especially when you consider the quality of bowling attacks in the draft atm.
Sehwag definitely isn't someone you want to rely on due to his style but harshad's batting has the likes of dravid and Pollock to follow. I don't see it as a case of Sehwag performs = draw, fails = loss either as you say in the above post. He's just 1 wheel. I'd actually call dravid and Pollock as the key to the result from harshad's batting side there, not Sehwag.
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Definitely they'll be key and be better performers here but at the same time given their openers are as likely to fall as they are to do anything of note it wil l restrict their natural game and also allow the bowlers to get on top. It affects everything.

And I'm not questioning Sehwag's test credentials, he can be a good player to have given he is supported well and also the opposition as always. The most acclaim he got playing for India was at a time when he was followed by Gambhir (form of his life, test cricketer of the year etc), Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman. It was a time when whenever he did something of note, it was appreciated but at the same time his failures went under the radar because they wouldn't hurt the team and someone would handle the situation. It becomes a real concern when you are really relying on him to give you that advantage you gained with the toss. Again, it doesn't imply that the team would automatically lose but it will easily put me in control. Like I said even having a great team cannot ensure you a win batting second on such pitches but it will at least give us a chance.
 
harshad said:
Primarily, his early susceptibility to fast bowling. I mean Glenn McGrath has taken his wicket 18 times.

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That's a small criticism in comparison to his achievements which Pollock or no one else can match, and you have to remember he played in a very weak WI team meaning he had to come up against the quicks pretty early. It still wasn't a weakness anyway, getting out to the greatest test bowler of all time isn't something to be embarrassed about. For all those 18 dismissals, McGrath failed to get him out when it mattered the most.
 
Aldo said:
Definitely they'll be key and be better performers here but at the same time given their openers are as likely to fall as they are to do anything of note it wil l restrict their natural game and also allow the bowlers to get on top. It affects everything.

And I'm not questioning Sehwag's test credentials, he can be a good player to have given he is supported well and also the opposition as always. The most acclaim he got playing for India was at a time when he was followed by Gambhir (form of his life, test cricketer of the year etc), Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman. It was a time when whenever he did something of note, it was appreciated but at the same time his failures went under the radar because they wouldn't hurt the team and someone would handle the situation. It becomes a real concern when you are really relying on him to give you that advantage you gained with the toss. Again, it doesn't imply that the team would automatically lose but it will easily put me in control. Like I said even having a great team cannot ensure you a win batting second on such pitches but it will at least give us a chance.
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Really? I don't agree. How often has dravid walked in at 10/1? I don't see why he'd suddenly be fazed by the situation. Sehwag clicking would be great for harshad but even if he fails, it isn't the be all and end all of anything. Especially not in Eden where you don't need 6 of your batsmen to do well to get 400. I don't agree with the 2nd bit either. Sehwag isn't as critical to the test as you believe. Unless harshad's batters let him down really bad, him winning the toss should see him capitalising 9 times out if 10.
 
What defines a player.




I'm all for style and power, which someone like Pollock has in abundance, but this is another level.
 
Varun said:
Really? I don't agree. How often has dravid walked in at 10/1? I don't see why he'd suddenly be fazed by the situation. Sehwag clicking would be great for harshad but even if he fails, it isn't the be all and end all of anything. Especially not in Eden where you don't need 6 of your batsmen to do well to get 400. I don't agree with the 2nd bit either. Sehwag isn't as critical to the test as you believe. Unless harshad's batters let him down really bad, him winning the toss should see him capitalising 9 times out if 10.
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He won't be fazed, but obviously coming in at 10/1 or say 50-60/2 puts unnecessary pressure on them and makes the next wicket all the more crucial. They know the pitch is flat and in most cases will have the temperament to still not collapse, which is why I've already said that this will be a draw in most cases but the one or two times they do fail to make a match-securing score, it will give me a chance to win.
 
Aldo said:
What defines a player.




I'm all for style and power, which someone like Pollock has in abundance, but this is another level.
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I remember the Sachin knock like it was yesterday. It was surreal. The dismissal too :(
 
Aldo said:
He won't be fazed, but obviously coming in at 10/1 or say 50-60/2 puts unnecessary pressure on them and makes the next wicket all the more crucial. They know the pitch is flat and in most cases will have the temperament to still not collapse, which is why I've already said that this will be a draw in most cases but the one or two times they do fail to make a match-securing score, it will give me a chance to win.
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Yep. I said it too. Most likely a draw but had to pick a winner so it was harshad for reasons I mentioned. I don't see dravid or Pollock having any problems dealing with the situation where both openers go with not much on the board, they've been there and done it plenty of times. Just like your middle order wouldn't be fazed if Marshall gets a quick 2 at the start.
 
Varun said:
Yep. I said it too. Most likely a draw but had to pick a winner so it was harshad for reasons I mentioned. I don't see dravid or Pollock having any problems dealing with the situation where both openers go with not much on the board, they've been there and done it plenty of times. Just like your middle order wouldn't be fazed if Marshall gets a quick 2 at the start.
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Two very different Ifs, though. Anyway, enough slagging Viru. :D
Though it has to be said he's one of the most unique players. He played with the likes of Sachin and Dravid who no doubt would have trained him in overcoming his weaknesses and improve his technique, the man just doesn't give a flying feck. He would have been an absolute beast had been a learner.
 
Aldo said:
That's a small criticism in comparison to his achievements which Pollock or no one else can match, and you have to remember he played in a very weak WI team meaning he had to come up against the quicks pretty early. It still wasn't a weakness anyway, getting out to the greatest test bowler of all time isn't something to be embarrassed about. For all those 18 dismissals, McGrath failed to get him out when it mattered the most.
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Thats very subjective. Who knows if he hadn't gotten him out in even one of those 18 times, he might have gone and made a big score.
 
Aldo said:
Two very different Ifs, though. Anyway, enough slagging Viru. :D
Though it has to be said he's one of the most unique players. He played with the likes of Sachin and Dravid who no doubt would have trained him in overcoming his weaknesses and improve his technique, the man just doesn't give a flying feck. He would have been an absolute beast had been a learner.
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Oh yes, one of the toughest motherfecking ifs to crack :lol:

I don't think he'd have become the viru he became if he tried to change and give a feck but that's just my opinion. Guy was unique.
 
Varun said:
I don't think he'd have become the viru he became if he tried to change and give a feck but that's just my opinion. Guy was unique.
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His fearlessness was definitely a big part of his success. Still, there were times when he was in poor form or the situation unsuitable to attacking batting when you wish he could show a different side. The only time I remember him doing so was Adelaide in 2008 when he ground out 151 while everyone else around him was getting out.
 
Akshay said:
His fearlessness was definitely a big part of his success. Still, there were times when he was in poor form or the situation unsuitable to attacking batting when you wish he could show a different side. The only time I remember him doing so was Adelaide in 2008 when he ground out 151 while everyone else around him was getting out.
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Yup, he played the same way regardless of the situation or pitch. Who else doesn't even have a look at the pitch before coming on to bat? :lol:
 
Whether its Sub continent or overseas condition Viru is always suspect against bowler who keep it in and around of stump or the ball that come in,
bowler like McGrath/Pollock/Asif who keep it close and can swing it either way are the best example of those.On the other side he's much better playing against Lee/Akthar who give him room outside off stump for him to upper cut or drive as bowler more rely on his pace.
 
Missed the deadline yesterday but would have voted Aldo anyway.
 
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