Cricket International Series & General Chat

[7by7]

India win by 95 runs.

England lost their last six wickets for 50 runs. Five of those were to bouncers, the sixth a stupid run out.

What were they thinking?

Kudos to Sharma; 7 for 74.

For some reason England panicked after lunch and as good as Sharma was, England played badly.

[Will27]

At least in test cricket it can turn around fast.

It doesn't seem that long ago when Australia

was getting well beaten in the Ashes.

Add a new coach, revitalized Mitch Johnson,

some improvement and decent player selection

and it can change pretty quickly.

I can only Imagine Fleet Street now. Especially

as it was India's first overseas test win in 3 years.

[BookMan]

England's cricket demise gets scary

It seems only haunted cricketers get spooked by ghosts. And an exhaustive historical survey (quick Google) of such events reveals that they only occur to teams in steep decline.

The most recent victims, England's Stuart Broad and Matt Prior, are in the middle of a stretch of 10 Tests without a victory, and just lost to India at Lord's, something that happens about as often as a verified alien sighting.

Broad told London's Daily Mail he had to move rooms during a recent Test match against Sri Lanka.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/englands-cricket-demise-gets-scary-20140722-zvpcb.html

[7by7]

<snip>

it was India's first overseas test win in 3 years.

And their first at Lords since 1986!

Prior has been carrying injuries which have effected his keeping, the justification for his staying in the side being his batting; but he hasn't performed with the bat either.

But reality has dawned on him, and he's standing down (jumping before he's pushed?): Matt Prior: England keeper stands down for summer.

A brave decision, if Buttler, his probable replacement, performs well with bat and gloves than this could very well be the end of Prior's international career.

Interesting comment from Cook

He (Prior) has to earn the right to play for England like everyone else

Do you include yourself in that, Alistair? Alastair Cook says he will not resign as captain.

Opinions differ, some, like Boycott and Botham saying he should go for the good of both the team and his own form, others, e.g. Swann, say he should stay on and fight to turn things round.

I tend to agree that he should take a break; certainly from the captaincy and probably from test cricket as well.

Staying means the pressures due to England's performances under him and his own loss of form can only get worse until the breaking point comes and his test career ends sooner than it should.

Some time spent rediscovering his form in county cricket can only be good for him and he'll come back stronger.

[7by7]

20 minutes into the fourth day of the third test and England have taken the last two Indian first innings wickets.

England 569/7; Bell 167, Ballance 156, Cook 95. B Kumar 3/101

India 330; Rahane 54, Dhoni 50. Anderson 5/53.

Lots of discussion yesterday evening and this morning on TMS about whether or not Cook would enforce the follow on (assuming India didn't reach 370, which they didn't).

On one side, English bowlers fresh after a nights rest, need to get another 10 wickets to win, enforce it, bowl India out again and get whatever runs are needed tomorrow.

On the other, enforce the follow on and England probably finally get India out sometime tomorrow afternoon/evening with an awkward target on a fifth day evening pitch of maybe 150 plus.

But, If England bat again looking to move the score on quickly with a view to declaring just before tea then they will have around 135 overs in total to bowl India out.

Thoughts?

Cook, as seems to be the modern way, didn't enforce the follow on and England are currently 22/0 after 6 overs.

Correction; 22/1; Robson c Dhawan b B Kumar 13

[BookMan]

The wicket must be good for batting, so I can see why Cook would not enforce the follow on. It does seem to be the modern way of thinking. The point you make about the English bowlers being rested is also valid. Can't see England losing the game from here, India 4/112.

India 330 (Rahane 54, Dhoni 50, Anderson 5-53) and 112 for 4 (Moeen 2-33) need 333 more to beat

England 569 for 7 dec (Bell 167, Ballance 156, Cook 95, Buttler 85) and 205 for 4 dec (Cook 70*, Root 56*)

England continued to play the near-perfect Test and India were powerless to hinder them. At times it looked like they weren't even trying, as the cracks in their 1-0 series lead spider-webbed towards shattering point.

The home side did everything right on the fourth day in Southampton. James Anderson mopped up the last two Indian wickets in 4.1 overs; their batsmen scored at five an over to facilitate a declaration by tea; and then their part-time spinners knocked over India's top order and left England needing only six wickets on the fifth day to win a Test they have dominated for its entirety.

India were shoddy right through this match and never more so than in the final session today, when they began their impossible chase of 445 and their improbable 132-over survival battle. There wasn't as much swing or seam movement for England's new-ball bowlers and M Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan survived opening spells from Anderson and Stuart Broad without too many scares.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2014/content/story/765617.html

[7by7]

30 minutes into the final day, and 2 more Indian wickets already.

R Sharma c Buttler b Anderson 6

Dhoni c Buttler b Anderson 6

123 for 6.

Can India last until lunch?

[7by7]

Can India last until lunch?

No.

India 178 all out, England win by 266 runs.

Moeen Ali 6 for 67; not bad figures for a man called a part time spinner before the start of this series!

England's first win since last August, and 11 tests. The start of return to form, or a flash in the pan?

1 each, with two to play; those last two games should be very interesting.

Unfortunately for England it looks like Jimmy Anderson will be suspended for at least one of them.

[David48]

For something a little different ...

.

[7by7]

Unfortunately for England it looks like Jimmy Anderson will be suspended for at least one of them.

Fortunately, he wont be.

James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja not guilty of ICC breach.

[Will27]

Unfortunately for England it looks like Jimmy Anderson will be suspended for at least one of them.

Fortunately, he wont be.

James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja not guilty of ICC breach.

Cannot say I'm unhappy with that.

I haven't read or seen much of the incident, but for too long

IMO, cricket authorities have bowed down to India and some of

the sub-continent sides.

A recent example was Harbhajan Singh calling Andrew Symonds

a monkey (for the 2nd time allegedly) and being reported and banned

for 3 tests.

There was the usual "racist" outcry by the Indians and then the predictable

"withdraw from the series". On appeal, it was reduced 50% of his match fee

because of a lack of evidence, despite testimony from 4 or 5 players.

Another incident was when the Pakistan keeper called Adam Gilchrest a

white ct which was clearly caught on audio. Gilchrest fumed and went and

spoke to the square leg umpire who said he heard it and player was on report.

It was all swept under the carpet behind closed doors.

In a World Cup Arjuna Ranatunga, had a row with Alex Stewart and threatened

to take his side off the field after Stewart called him a disgrace.

I know India have the money and power, but I'm glad the authorities didn't back-

down for once.

[7by7]

England v India, fourth test at Old Trafford.

Start delayed by 30 minutes due to rain; Dhoni wins the toss and elects to bat.

A decision he is probably regretting; India 8 for 4 after 6 overs; two each to Anderson and Broad, all edged and caught at slip.

BTW, 4 of those 8 runs were extras!

Dhoni in much earlier than he expected; time for a captains innings if ever there was one.

Live updates from the BBC.

[BookMan]

4 for 8! England off to a good start.

[7by7]

Heavy, overcast conditions perfect for England's swing bowling attack; especially Anderson.

Difficult to understand why Dhoni elected to bat; though in his post toss interview Cook said he would have batted as well, but India don't have the swing bowlers England have.

Boycott "He (Dhoni) must be wrong in the 'ead to have batted."

India 24 for 4.

[David48]

This post is dedicated to the Indian Cricket Team who have equalled a World Record for this game ...

Six Ducks in one innings.

India ... take a bow.

For authenticity ... they are actually Indian Runner Ducks ...

.

[BookMan]

This post is dedicated to the Indian Cricket Team who have equalled a World Record for this game ...

Six Ducks in one innings.

India ... take a bow.

For authenticity ... they are actually Indian Runner Ducks ...

.

With six ducks, 10/152 is an impressive score

[David48]

Previous instances of 6 ducks in same innings

Pakistan - v West Indies (Karchi, 1980)
South Africa - v India (Ahmedabad, 1996)
Bangladesh - v West Indies (Dhaka, 2002)

They demolished India's top order, leaving the touriwsts on 8-4 after 5.1 overs.

(note, spelling error is part of the quote ... it is a KIWI site after all !)

Credit

[7by7]

Dhoni in much earlier than he expected; time for a captains innings if ever there was one.

He tried:

Dhoni 71.

Ashwin 40.

Rahane 24.

Next highest score: extras 12!

Anderson's first ball to Jajeda; lbw 0. Anderson said nothing; but gave Jajeda a look which spoke volumes!

[Basil B]

This post is dedicated to the Indian Cricket Team who have equalled a World Record for this game ...

Six Ducks in one innings.

India ... take a bow.

For authenticity ... they are actually Indian Runner Ducks ...

.

Not much better today...

Only one duck, but only two Indian players scored more than 20, England won easy without having to bat a second innings.

[kurtramsbottom]

Broard needs to get his grid sorted out after getting a snorter through his grill...Apart from that and Jimmy Anderson being under the weather but still bowling immaculate swing ,England are 8 days in credit with almost perfect Cricket...Cook has shut Warne up ,which is most satisfying & just about every player has contributed at some point.Excellent from a resurgent England.

ps Warne has turned on Dhoni...No surprise.

[7by7]

Stuart Broad's nose broken by Aaron bouncer

[7by7]

I admit to being a bit worried by England's lower than hoped for lead; not because I thought it meant India had a chance; but because the weather forecasts meaning at least one of the two remaining days could be lost.

So if England had to bat again, then they may have run out of time.

But another excellent performance by the 'part time' spinner Moeen Ali and a woeful performance by the Indian batsmen meant a finish today.

Any one want a couple of tickets for the fourth day at the Oval?

[Basil B]

An innings and 54 runs...

But more over they won by 18 overs, as predicted the weather has set in and highly unlikely there would be any chance of play today or tomorrow.

Rain predicted for the week including Friday, but then expected to improve.

7x7, if you have tickets for next Sunday do not give them away, looks like it will be a fantastic day of cricket (for England).

P.S. Will the entire team now give up on shaving.

[7by7]

7x7, if you have tickets for next Sunday do not give them away, looks like it will be a fantastic day of cricket (for England).

Given that two sessions of this test were lost to the weather on Friday, this game effectively lasted less than 2.5 days.

Though given that the Oval is usually a batsman's paradise, I suppose there is a chance of India making it into the fourth day!

Will England and their supporter's hubris after a revival which has lasted just two games against a team which is having similar problems of form come back to haunt us next week?

More importantly, with all due respect to the West Indies and New Zealand, will England's recovery continue to such a level that they can seriously challenge Australia next summer?

[Basil B]

7x7, if you have tickets for next Sunday do not give them away, looks like it will be a fantastic day of cricket (for England).

Given that two sessions of this test were lost to the weather on Friday, this game effectively lasted less than 2.5 days.

Though given that the Oval is usually a batsman's paradise, I suppose there is a chance of India making it into the fourth day!

Will England and their supporter's hubris after a revival which has lasted just two games against a team which is having similar problems of form come back to haunt us next week?

More importantly, with all due respect to the West Indies and New Zealand, will England's recovery continue to such a level that they can seriously challenge Australia next summer?

"Though given that the Oval is usually a batsman's paradise, I suppose there is a chance of India making it into the fourth day!"

Want a bet???

Joe Root, not out scores more runs than the whole of the Indian team in their first innings.

the only chance India has of batting tomorrow is if it rains, I know they have been praying for rain but they just not praying enough.

Correction seems their prayers have been answered...

Covers are on...

Still does not look good for them, 9 for 2 chasing another 330 runs just to make England bat again...

[7by7]

Indeed, it does seem that only the weather can take this game into a fourth day.

India currently 54 for 5; still 286 runs short of making England bat again.

Dhoni, after his heroics in the first innings which saw him scoring more than the other 10 put together, out for 0.

[BookMan]

India legend Sunil Gavaskar brands modern-day team ‘jelly-like’ in wake England thrashing

SUNIL Gavaskar accused India of “embarrassing the country” after their humiliating innings and 244-run defeat by England in the fifth Test at The Oval.

It was the second time in as many matches that India had been beaten inside three days after their innings and 54-run reverse in the fourth Test at Old Trafford and saw England take the five-match series 3-1.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/india-legend-sunil-gavaskar-brands-modernday-team-jellylike-in-wake-england-thrashing/story-fni2fnmo-1227027608137?nk=ae775793a6602d6a4b597397c90566a7

[7by7]

The collapse of the Indian batting line up is inexplicable

Before the series started, the common opinion was that the Indians would struggle to take 20 wickets (which has been the case) but that their top order batsmen would go for big scores.

That was certainly true in the first two tests at Trent Bridge, where it was their inability to get 20 wickets which cost them the win, and Lords, where they got the final wicket from the penultimate ball of the match to win.

But at Southampton, something changed.

Their bowlers are still struggling to take 20 wickets; indeed they haven't. Taking a total of just 24 wickets in England's four innings in the final three tests.

It is the performances of their batsmen which cannot be explained. In their last 6 innings, only Rahane (twice) and Dhoni (thrice) have scored 50 or above.

Is this down to a sudden, dramatic improvement in England's attack?

Well, their fielding has certainly improved; with far fewer dropped catches.

But I think the problem is with the Indian batsmen. After Southampton, perhaps even during that game when Cook was dropped for not very much and went on to score 95, they seem to have lost all heart and interest.

Without taking anything away from England's performance and comeback, especially Cook's, I think it is fair to say that England did not so much win this series as India lost it.

As Gavaskar says in the article linked to above, England have sterner challenges ahead of them and must not get carried away by the size of this win.

The Aussies are coming next summer; they wont fold in the way India has done!

[Will27]

India disgraced themselves by not competing

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/773553.html

7by7, as I haven't seen the series, I would be interested to hear

your opinion on Chappelli's article.

[BookMan]

Mitchell Johnson six smashes commentary box window in Zimbabwe

Mitchell Johnson has enhanced his reputation as the most destructive player in world cricket - by smashing the window of the commentary box at the Harare Sports Club with a massive six during the first one-day international against Zimbabwe

Batting with James Faulkner in the penultimate over of Australia's innings, and with the tourists rattling along towards a total of 6-350, Johnson took the long handle to Zimbabwe quick Tinashe Panyangara.

The ball cleared the boundary rope with ease, before crashing into the glass pane behind which Neil Manthorp and Pommie Mbangwa were calling the action, leaving both commentators rattled - and covered in shards of glass.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/mitchell-johnson-six-smashes-commentary-box-window-in-zimbabwe-20140825-108c2a.html