England vs India - 3rd Test

[jim boy]

At 584 for 4, I think that poor old England might be in spot of bother. Especially poor showing considering the conditions weren't all that batsmen friendly. Mind you, I've considered this Indian Team to be amongst the most potent in batting potential, sadly they usually fail to live up to their promise.

 

[hourn]

India batted brilliantly to decalre at 8/628 - the big three of Tendulkar, Gangully and Dravid all posted hundreds. The first time that all three have posted a century in the same innings (and same test for that matter). Another interesting bit of trivia - of Gangully 9 test centuries, Tendulkar has scored a century in 5 of those innings.

England in reply started off well before a middle order collapse. Giles has held his wicket well while Stewart is performing as usual. Now 9/264 at stumps on day 3.

India have it in the bag right now.

 

[Briedis]

Hussain and Stewart are going OK at the end of the fourth dat.

England still trail by 110 and need and big couple of sessions on the fifth day to salvage a draw. India should still win this and would be devestated to lose this game now, plus it would make the series alive if India could level it.

 

[JUBJUB]

Poms lost by an innings & a heap of runs just before lunch on day 5.

 

[Briedis]

That is a woeful performance by England at home.

Flintoff ended up with a pair.

England are far too inconsistant and will need to work on playing consistant cricket to beat Australia. To allow India to get 600+ on a wicket that was seeming around a bit is an absolute joke. The selectors should drop one or two of those bowlers.

 

[SeinDude]

Originally posted by Briedis
England are far too inconsistant and will need to work on playing consistant cricket to beat Australia. To allow India to get 600+ on a wicket that was seeming around a bit is an absolute joke. The selectors should drop one or two of those bowlers.

Is Alex Tudor injured or something?? I think he is someone who could do quite well down here in Australia on the more bouncy wickets.

Cheers!!
SeinDude

 

[Dipper]

The bowler's were crap, theres a lack of variety in what the likes of Hoggard & Caddick do.They don't seem to think on their feet, they don't pitch it up enough or use the crease enough.
Tudor was just bowling inswingers why he can't move it away god only knows.

Anyway if the pitch at the Oval is a brown, batting friendly thing then someone should be shot.The groundsman should be instructed to leave lot's of grass on it but alos go for one of his quickest pitches.

 

[London Dave]

a fast pitch would be good for England i reckon Dipper, but it's still up to the bowlers to put it in the right spot. India seem to think they've got it in the bag, but I fancy England to show a bit more than the last time they played at the Oval v Oz.

 

[backpacker]

England just need there bowlers to improve and Key to learn to catch. As it stands Flintoff is out and Key would be lucky to survive as well so they can come back from this.

 

[Slax]

Originally posted by backpacker

England just need there bowlers to improve and Key to learn to catch. As it stands Flintoff is out and Key would be lucky to survive as well so they can come back from this.

Good to see some people have faith in England. I'm just waiting for the ashes slaughter to begin.

 

[Briedis]

Originally posted by SeinDude


Is Alex Tudor injured or something?? I think he is someone who could do quite well down here in Australia on the more bouncy wickets.

Cheers!!
SeinDude

To be honest, Alex Tudor lacks the heart and the fire to be a top line fast bowler. He should be dropped until he starts charging in has a go. He is weak as **** at the moment, very soft. He will get smashed in Australia if he bowls like that.

The only English bowler (apart from Goughy, who is an honourary Aussie in my books!) that deserves any respect is Hoggard. He bowled OK, but they kept putting down the catches. Caddick, Tudor and Flintoff were all very, very soft.

England should definately pick that fast Welsh bloke for the last test, Jones I think his name was, he played in either the first or second test. He was a bit wayward, but at least he had a dip.

 

[Briedis]

Originally posted by Slax
Good to see some people have faith in England. I'm just waiting for the ashes slaughter to begin.

Sadly, I think it may be just that, a slaughter. I have been watching England very closely over the last year (I've only missed the NZ series) and they have improved.

But bowling performances like the first innings of this third test suggests that they really do not have the firepower to take 20 wickets against the Aussies, which of course, you need to do to win a test.

The batting line-up (admittedly without Thorpe and Trescothick) did crumble a bit under the presure of 600+ runs as well.

Not good signs for the series out here I'm afraid. It's very sad. Australia needs a good test series out here this summer. The kiwi's sort of competed last year, but that was really only for one test but the other two were washed out and the Aussies were cruising in both.

Last few test series in Oz:

2001 Australia 3 - South Africa 0
2001 Australia 0 - Kiwis 0
2000 Australia 2 - India 0
2000 Australia 3 - Pakistan 0
1999 Australia 5 - W Indies 0
1998 Australia 3 - England 1
1997 Australia 1 - South Africa 0
1997 Australia 2 - Kiwis 0
1996 Australia 3 - W Indies 2

We've only lost 1 test in 6 years. Man, I am hanging out for a good series of test cricket this year.

Last time Australia didn't win in OZ: 1993/1994 drawn series against SA.

Last time Australia lost in Oz: 1992/1993 series vs WI.

I miss the West Indies teams of the 70s and 80s.

 

[clucas91]

Originally posted by Briedis

Last time Australia lost in Oz: 1992/1993 series vs WI.

I miss the West Indies teams of the 70s and 80s.

I am CRAVING for a decent series against the West Indies...that 5-0 drubbing was embarrasing for both nations.

I hope the next time we play in the Windies in the Caribbean is just as exciting. Mind you, I am pretty sure we will play that series at a neutral venue for security reasons.

 

[Briedis]

Originally posted by clucas91
I am CRAVING for a decent series against the West Indies...that 5-0 drubbing was embarrasing for both nations.

Me too. I was almost going for the Windies in that series ... never had to do that before!!

Originally posted by clucas91
I hope the next time we play in the Windies in the Caribbean is just as exciting. Mind you, I am pretty sure we will play that series at a neutral venue for security reasons.

Is this a crack at how soft the players are or for real? I had a friend (female) who went to the last series and she had a ball and had no problems whatsoever.

 

[clucas91]

Originally posted by Briedis
Is this a crack at how soft the players are or for real? I had a friend (female) who went to the last series and she had a ball and had no problems whatsoever.

I was having a go, I just don't think that Australia will be able to visit an overseas country again without some form of questions being raised about security.

The last series in 1999 was before the War on Terror and all that crap, at least she got to enjoy it.

 

[Briedis]

They had better not cancel the tour over there. I am saving up to go!!

 

[Dipper]

Woo hoo we were the last side to win a Test in Australia!

We would have won at Sydney too if the mugs had given Slater run out instead of bottling it & letting him go on to make about 120 out of a total of 180 odd.


As for Jones he's been unfit so I don't know if he's in contention for the Oval but he's got to be worth a go.

There's definitely some talent amongst the bowlers but they seem to be a bit robotic unable to think on their feet or produce something a bit different (like Gough).

I really think we should risk Trescothick for the last Test instead of that muppet Key, looking at his technique you know he'd never score a run against Australia (just like Ian Ward).