The Winter Cricket Thread

[fittons_coaching_badge]

I know all the SA bowlers took a pasting bar Steyn but Imran Tahir ... Going at 7.5+ an over is fucking outrageous over 20 overs I don't care how fucking flat it is. The spinner needs to be able to keep it relatively tight when not attacking and he does neither.  Anyone remember the SA spinner from a couple of tours ago Paul Harris?  Bog standard left armer in the Ashley Giles mode who offered a bit of everything, took a wicker here and there but was able to keep a lid on it ... He'd have been a better bet or even Robin Peterson who is in the squad!

Granted SA a bit unlucky as Philader was injured before play with a dodgy back and Kallis pulled up after 3 overs.

Now on tv in the Indian hotel I am in, we are being treated on the tele with Bill Lawry and Ian Healy lording it ...

I went to the Wankhede yesterday where the test is being played and looks like Yadav is out probably to be replaced by Dinda or Sharma.  Either way a good thing for England as both lack Yadavs out and out pace.

[DMR]

I shall repeat my post of a week ago. Michael Clarke is fucking gun.

[Nemo]

Not bad that kid. If the Aussies could find a number 3 and 4 they'd be quite good, which is a bit worrying with the Ashes next summer.

[london_red]

I shall repeat my post of a week ago. Michael Clarke is fucking gun.

He's certainly decent, the flat batsmen's paradises that the Australian pitches have been for the last 18 months have certainly helped him put up these ridiculous numbers though.

[DMR]

He's averagaing 140 this year, against India and South Africa... flat tracks or not, he's fucking gun

[TheMajorSTFC]

Last I looked they were 50-3 last night and expected Steyn, Morkel et al to run through them, then I see it's 480/5 with Clarke making (another) 200!!! Big questions for SA to answer as #1 test side in the world for the remainder of the test/series. Injuries haven't helped their cause of course!

[Nemo]

Cook loses another toss and India play three spinners plus Yuvraj and bat. Incoming Bunsen I fear!

[dphunt88]

Good mornings cricket that. Much more even after a one-sided 1st Test. Panesar's showing exactly why he should have played from ball 1 in this series - the ball to get Sachin was (to quote Richie Benaud) a 'ripper'.

As he did at Ahmedabad, Pujara is providing stubborn resistance but at 87/3, England know they're only 1 wicket away from getting at Yuvraj Singh and the lower middle order. Plenty to play for.

Anderson bowled well up front. As well as getting Gambhir LBW, he beat Sehwag on the inside and outside edge in the same over (costing him 8 runs in edges!!). Definitely a bit in it for the seamers but Broad has been off colour again. Shame.

[Nemo]

Kohli gone, before someone drags up my quote from the other day, I'd be absolutely delighted to be wrong about Panesar not being a match winner!

[sonicyouth]

Yuvraj gone.

[Nemo]

Calling a three day test now, will take a special innings or two to take it long.

[fittons_coaching_badge]

Morning.  Don't think I will be needing my ticket for day 5 and probably not day 4 either.

Need to knock then over for less than 200.

[gingernuggets]

Thank god we've got a Test Match that's not being played on a road. Low scoring games are so much more interesting and hundreds are actually a great acheivement. Got to love Test cricket like this.

Still don't fancy our chances though, against their 3 spinners and batting last, but at least it won't be a boring run fest.

[kerry red]

Is it just me, or is David Gower the most boring, inane commentator on Sky

[TheMajorSTFC]

Let them off the hook here a bit! Panesar a great inclusion and has justified it so far by taking 4 key wickets! Come on England lets get another breakthrough before the close! Could be a minefield by day 3!