India v Australia, 2nd Test, Day 2 18/10/08 Mohali

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Ok now that was just a cheap shot and nothing else. Please stick to the topic, we are talking about cricket and cricket only and we are talking of skills and abilities so controversies and of the field issues have nothing to do over here.

And care to enlighten me on Zaheer's super fitness over Akhtar. Zaheer has been injured a lot in his career as well and many instances are available when Zaheer himself has not been able to complete a series. But anyways, lets stick to Akhtar's and Zaheer's skills on the field shall we.

Didn't you read the line in my post 'Not to say Zaheer have a good fitness level' ??? What I said is what I feel. Care to point out any cheap shots that I throwed, or any insulting words that I used ?

 

[lollol]

ishant's last ball 147 wow

Yep, he bowled that last over around 90mph, while his average speed before that over was 85mph

 

[Savak]

Akhtar with his speed and talent should come to the party easily regardless of what his batsmen have put up, cant be excused when compared to a lesser bowler like Zaheer. Both are there to take wickets not to under perform physically when looking at the quality of the batsmen in your side or how much they have put up....

Right so if the Pakistani team is out for a 100 runs Akhtar should still bowl his team to victory. RIGHT. Romali Rotu, while it is good you admit Zaheer is a lesser bowler than Akhtar, but a bowler can do so much if his team mates let down. Bowlers need batsman to put runs on the board as well. Plus i forgot to add, it is also crucial they have some worthwhile support from the other bowlers to maintain pressure.

 

[lollol]

Didn't you read the line in my post 'Not to say Zaheer have a good fitness level' ??? What I said is what I feel. Care to point out any cheap shots that I throwed, or any insulting words that I used ?

Any criticism of Akhtar is insulting for mr Savak

 

[Romali_rotti]

It is pretty scary, Zaheer averages 40 in Australia.

He would never of played Test cricket if he was Australian.

Not reading my post properly huh ? I clearly said had he 'been' playing for Oz inplace of Lee....

 

[Caved12]

for Cameraman, he has been doing a wonderful job.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Right so if the Pakistani team is out for a 100 runs Akhtar should still bowl his team to victory. RIGHT. Romali Rotu, while it is good you admit Zaheer is a lesser bowler than Akhtar, but a bowler can do so much if his team mates let down. Bowlers need batsman to put runs on the board as well. Plus i forgot to add, it is also crucial they have some worthwhile support from the other bowlers to maintain pressure.

Now now now, stop drifting away, I never said Akhtar has to bowl Pak to victory but he sure as hell can perform better than Zaheer, which he clearly hasnt...

 

[Savak]

Didn't you read the line in my post 'Not to say Zaheer have a good fitness level' ??? What I said is what I feel. Care to point out any cheap shots that I throwed, or any insulting words that I used ?

Cheapshot is an unfair attack. Akhtar's personal controversies have nothing to do with the discussion as to whole is a better bowler? When two bowlers are being compared we compare their skills, abilities, wickets and performances? Dishing out attacks and going to controversies is just to deliberately take the argument, discussion into another direction. I see many people do this over here and i find it quite irritating.

 

[Caved12]

Ishant and Zaheer are firing from all cylinders.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Right so if the Pakistani team is out for a 100 runs Akhtar should still bowl his team to victory. RIGHT. Romali Rotu, while it is good you admit Zaheer is a lesser bowler than Akhtar, but a bowler can do so much if his team mates let down. Bowlers need batsman to put runs on the board as well. Plus i forgot to add, it is also crucial they have some worthwhile support from the other bowlers to maintain pressure.

Hmmmm I could be wrong but didnt Shoib have Wasim, Waqar & Saqqy on the other end for a while ??? Meanwhile what did Zaheer have ?? Ok lets see: 1) Agarkar 2) Kumble (our fastest bowler) etc ..

 

[Caved12]

Any criticism of Akhtar is insulting for mr Savak

but you gotta give it to him, whenever he defends Akhtar, he comes up with some very valid points.

 

[Savak]

Now now now, stop drifting away, I never said Akhtar has to bowl Pak to victory but he sure as hell can perform better than Zaheer, which he clearly hasnt...

I can take the easiest route here by asking you about their overall career averages and this argument ends here and then. The reason why Akhtar has not led his team to victory is the simple fact that the Pakistani batting is not as reliable as the Indian batting and that Akhtar has never played with a quality 2nd, 3rd seamer.

If Akhtar had Asif, Gul in 2004-05, his impact could have been greater. Everything plays a big part in this game.

 

[jusarrived]

RA , we are 8 overs past since tea & if anything rr has dropped down to 1.77 .......so zaheer was right , wasnt he ?

 

[gibster82]

One cant compare Akthar and Zaheer - Zaheer only in the last year has stepped up his game - Akthars glory days are well behind him. Further they are two completely different bowlers. If you must the two - compare Akthar at this prime to Zaheer at his prime. Anyhow lets get back to commenting about the match on hand.

 

[Savak]

Any criticism of Akhtar is insulting for mr Savak

Unfair criticism of a Pakistani for me is insulting for any Pakistani. I wish most Pakistani's would feel the same.

 

[Romali_rotti]

^plz stop making a fool out of yourself U really believe ZAK is a world-class bowler???

What tha ????? Are you reading my posts properly ? comparison of Zaheer vs Lee, when did Zaheer being world class com into the equation ??

 

[Romali_rotti]

I can take the easiest route here by asking you about their overall career averages and this argument ends here and then. The reason why Akhtar has not led his team to victory is the simple fact that the Pakistani batting is not as reliable as the Indian batting and that Akhtar has never played with a quality 2nd, 3rd seamer.

If Akhtar had Asif, Gul in 2004-05, his impact could have been greater. Everything plays a big part in this game.

Listen to me very carefully: FOR THE 10 BILLIONTH TIME, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT WHO HAS LED WHO TO VICTORY, JUST INDIVIDUAL BOWLING PERFORMANCES AGAINST AUS, ZAHEER VS SHOIB..

Or should I try and explain this in another language ?

 

[Savak]

Hmmmm I could be wrong but didnt Shoib have Wasim, Waqar & Saqqy on the other end for a while ??? Meanwhile what did Zaheer have ?? Ok lets see: 1) Agarkar 2) Kumble (our fastest bowler) etc ..

Wasim and Waqar were well past their sell dates by the time Akhtar came in 1999 and 2000. Saqlain was finished by that time as well. Zaheer still had someone like Ashish Nehra and Kumble and a powerful, consistent Indian Batting line up to support him.

Akhtar was the only major strike bowler in the side even when the W's were around. I really wish he had quality support from the other end. Normally Pakistan's poor batting has such a disasterous effect on the results of the match and the impact of the bowlers.

 

[Savak]

Listen to me very carefully: FOR THE 10 BILLIONTH TIME, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT WHO HAS LED WHO TO VICTORY, JUST INDIVIDUAL BOWLING PERFORMANCES AGAINST AUS, ZAHEER VS SHOIB..

Or should I try and explain this in another language ?

The point i made also applies to individual performances as well. If memory serves me right, Shoaib had a forgetable tour of Australia in 1999 where he only picked up 6 wickets. But in the 2002 tour of Australia Akhtar picked up 9 wickets in 2 tests and believe me those were the worst lifeless pitches ever. After that came the 2004-05 series where Akhtar ended up with 11 wickets.

How did the Pak batting do in these series? Well in 1999 we got out for 367 and 250 plus runs in the first test, then we got out for 222 and 391 runs, final test 153 and 270 plus runs. The Australians in return 500 plus runs and 60/0 in first test. 250 runs and 369/6 second test. 500 runs in third test.

In 2002, Pak made 279 and 270 runs in first test while Aus made 450 and 127 runs (we still lost), 2nd test Pak 53 and 59 all out (Pak lost), Aus 400 plus runs, third test Australia 400 plus runs Pak 200 each innings (Pak lost).

In 2005 Pak made 179 and 74 runs in first test while Aus made 381. In Second test Pak made 350 plus, Aus made 350 plus but in return Pak got out for 150 and Aus scored 130/1. Final test Pak scored 303, Australia scored 562 and Pak scored 326 in return and Aus 64/1.

So clearly Pak's batting has been extremely unreliable and there is very little any bowler can do let alone Akhtar if the batters dont give him enough runs to create any sort of pressure what so ever.

 

[Romali_rotti]

RA , we are 8 overs past since tea & if anything rr has dropped down to 1.77 .......so zaheer was right , wasnt he ?

Well atleast Oz cleaned up the tail this time so Zaheer was wrong there, RA can take some comfort in that ....

 

[Caved12]

I guess it would be fair to say that Ishant has the most deadliest inswingers in the world right now.

 

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Hussey, yet to open his account since 17 balls.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Wasim and Waqar were well past their sell dates by the time Akhtar came in 1999 and 2000. Saqlain was finished by that time as well. Zaheer still had someone like Ashish Nehra and Kumble and a powerful, consistent Indian Batting line up to support him.

Akhtar was the only major strike bowler in the side even when the W's were around. I really wish he had quality support from the other end. Normally Pakistan's poor batting has such a disasterous effect on the results of the match and the impact of the bowlers.

Oh wow now Pak fans talking up Indian bowlers lol man this is getting funnier by the minute... You keep evading my original point..

 

[wanted_desi]

14 overs 25 runs, wow aussies are on roll

 

[Random Aussie]

RA , we are 8 overs past since tea & if anything rr has dropped down to 1.77 .......so zaheer was right , wasnt he ?

What was he right about? Serious question, I know he said we couldn't take 20 wickets but what else did he say?

Amusingly read on ICF that Zaheer has a thing against Aussies cos one of them sledged him about his house getting burnt down in the 2003 WC final.
Don't know if true but very funny.

Anyway it is Katich and Hussey batting after we have lost 2 quick wickets. No kidding they are going to be slow, Katich is actually going quite quick by his standards. But these 2 will be mostly unwatchable, I aint watching them.

 

[Random Aussie]

Well atleast Oz cleaned up the tail this time so Zaheer was wrong there, RA can take some comfort in that ....

Need 10 more wickets to make him wrong actually.

If we lose another wicket we are calling the charter plane and going home though

 

[Savak]

Oh wow now Pak fans talking up Indian bowlers lol man this is getting funnier by the minute... You keep evading my original point..

Noone is evading anything. You are not acknowledging the simple fact that how a team bats plays a huge role in the performance of its bowlers. Bowlers need batters to get runs on the board and to allow them to create pressure to take wickets.

 

[jusarrived]

What was he right about? Serious question, I know he said we couldn't take 20 wickets but what else did he say?
.

this is the most defensive Australian team :Zaheer

 

[Random Aussie]

Hussey beating on Ishant this over, now Katich!

That's better Australia stop treating these bowlers with so much respect.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Asshat Sharma taken to the cleaners

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Katich looking good for his double.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Asshat Sharma taken to the cleaners

Awwww someone feeling a bit upset

 

[Random Aussie]

this is the most defensive Australian team :Zaheer

Well Zaheer being the moron that he is might not realise that last time we toured India we played defensively and finally won a series in India.

What is somewhat ironic is that all the criticism of the Australian players from India has been that they are arrogant, sledge on the field and play with poor sportsmanship, show the opposition no respect in the media etc. Which is probably fair enough opinion.

And that now is exactly what the Indian team is doing.

 

[Caved12]

alrite guys, Time to go to bed. Always fun with you guys.
Later

 

[Random Aussie]

Psst Ishant you don't give the death stare to the batter when you have gone for 15 in the over, you are supposed to do it when the batsman has played and missed or ducked a bouncer.

 

[Random Aussie]

alrite guys, Time to go to bed. Always fun with you guys.
Later

See ya mate

 

[jusarrived]

Asshat Sharma taken to the cleaners

not exactly , i guess you are not watching the match ......he ws infact unlucky not to get a wicket in that over , husseys edge missjudged by the keeper and slip....runs mostly of edges

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Awwww someone feeling a bit upset

You by the way youve been carrying on the last 2 hours. Anyway, nothing against the guy personally, i've been refering to him as Asshat since last year. Same thing goes with Krapich and Haydunce.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Well Mishra is no Mendis.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Is it just me or Mark Nicholas badly wants Australia to lose ?? He seems more baised towards India than Indians themselves...

 

[Romali_rotti]

Awesome last ball by Harbhajan, another wicket will go very soon I can feel it...

 

[Milroastnescafe]

I'm abit nervous when Hussey is facing Harbhajan. He definitely can't read it out of the hand. When he doesnt have time to play it off the pitch he's guessing.

 

[Random Aussie]

Is it just me or Mark Nicholas badly wants Australia to lose ?? He seems more baised towards India than Indians themselves...

He adores whoever is paying him at the time I think. Usually it is Australia in the summer so he adores the Aussie players but India are paying for him to commentate so now he adores the Indian players.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Is it just me or Mark Nicholas badly wants Australia to lose ?? He seems more baised towards India than Indians themselves...

I've noticed that. Yet when he commentates in Aus he's the complete opposite, sickeningly so. The guy is complete brown-noser. Though I guess with his boyfriend Brett Lee not performing he's not got much to be enthusiastic about.

 

[Random Aussie]

I'm abit nervous when Hussey is facing Harbhajan. He definitely can't read it out of the hand. When he doesnt have time to play it off the pitch he's guessing.

Hmmm I don't think it is that hard to read Harby, the one he obviously throws is the doosra.....

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Hmmm I don't think it is that hard to read Harby, the one he obviously throws is the doosra.....

Yet he still got clean bowled by it without offering a shot..

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Well Mishra is no Mendis.

Infact, this guy is no Cam White.

That comment could come back to hurt me though..

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Infact, this guy is no Cam White.

That comment could come back to hurt me though..

I wish I didn't say that.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Mike Hussey looking good for a double ton.

 

[Random Aussie]

I wish I didn't say that.

I wish you didn't say that either ) )

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Our best hope now might be to get skittled for 200, and asked to follow on and pile on the runs then.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

I wish you didn't say that either ) )

:Sami

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Still over 23 overs in the day left. Good chance we could lose even more wickets before the end off play. Even one more would be disasterous.

Clarke looking good for his double-ton though.

 

[pixaar]

how's mishra bowling? any turn?
and as i write this he gets Krapich. whoa!

 

[Milroastnescafe]

how's mishra bowling? any turn?
and as i write this he gets Krapich. whoa!

That happened about an hour ago.

He's getting some nice flight and turn, but its very slow. Batsman in theory SHOULD be able to play it comfortably.. but if I say anymore he will probably take a hattrick so... Mishra is GOD.

 

[jusarrived]

how's mishra bowling? any turn?
and as i write this he gets Krapich. whoa!

not much turn , I have seen him bowl better than this even though hes got a wicket ...may be just nerves !

 

[pixaar]

That happened about an hour ago.

He's getting some nice flight and turn, but its very slow. Batsman in theory SHOULD be able to play it comfortably.. but if I say anymore he will probably take a hattrick so... Mishra is GOD.

okay. sorry my cricinfo!
and there seem to be no streams for this match anywhere.

 

[deathstreak]

who is bowling better?
Harbajan or misra ?

 

[Milroastnescafe]

not much turn , I have seen him bowl better than this even though hes got a wicket ...may be just nerves !

Has already outbowled Kumble though.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

who is bowling better?
Harbajan or misra ?

Both are throwing in junk with good deliveries. Harbhajan probably a little more consistent.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Dhoni drops Hussey.

 

[jusarrived]

dropped by Dhoni , cud prove to be very costly !

 

[Romali_rotti]

Another one wicket will fall very soon ...

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Man, day 4 and 5 are already not looking too great for facing spin bowling.

 

[Random Aussie]

Man, day 4 and 5 are already not looking too great for facing spin bowling.

Need to get out for less than 200 then

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Another one wicket will fall very soon ...

I have the same feeling

 

[deathstreak]

nooo Dhoni not Hussey. Hussey will make us pay.
We need another wicket before the day ends. Need to get one of these two out. These two are by far the best suited to play spin in this lineup.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Harbhajan bowling real well

 

[Random Aussie]

For all the talk about Watson/White as allrounders I would much rather be looking at David Hussey coming in next - agree with Milo on this.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

nooo Dhoni not Hussey. Hussey will make us pay.
We need another wicket before the day ends. Need to get one of these two out. These two are by far the best suited to play spin in this lineup.

We're like a million runs behind, dont be so selfish!

 

[Random Aussie]

nooo Dhoni not Hussey. Hussey will make us pay.
We need another wicket before the day ends. Need to get one of these two out. These two are by far the best suited to play spin in this lineup.

India are such a charitable team, they always give the opposition a chance or two.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

For all the talk about Watson/White as allrounders I would much rather be looking at David Hussey coming in next - agree with Milo on this.

It's kind of amazing, that out of all the Victorians, White and Siddle - although not undeserving - have debuted in test cricket before David Hussey. Watson looked a little sore though, and I reckon with Jaques gone home through injury Huss might be a chance to get in the squad and wait for Watson to break himself.

 

[deathstreak]

We're like a million runs behind, dont be so selfish!

We like to win big.

 

[Random Aussie]

It's kind of amazing, that out of all the Victorians, White and Siddle - although not undeserving - have debuted in test cricket before David Hussey. Watson looked a little sore though, and I reckon with Jaques gone home through injury Huss might be a chance to get in the squad and wait for Watson to break himself.

If Watson has injured himself again that should be curtains for his Test career, no more chances.

But it is strange when you look at the selections like that because Dussey is the only one who has been absolutely dominant at domestic level.

 

[deathstreak]

It's kind of amazing, that out of all the Victorians, White and Siddle - although not undeserving - have debuted in test cricket before David Hussey. Watson looked a little sore though, and I reckon with Jaques gone home through injury Huss might be a chance to get in the squad and wait for Watson to break himself.

U mean david hussy is in the squad and not playing?
instead of watson and white. Can't Australia go for david and a pure bowler?

 

[Random Aussie]

U mean david hussy is in the squad and not playing?
instead of watson and white. Can't Australia go for david and a pure bowler?

Don't think he is even in the squad. But I think Milo is suggesting that would have been a better option.

Except we don't have a pure spin bowler who can bowl.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

U mean david hussy is in the squad and not playing?
instead of watson and white. Can't Australia go for david and a pure bowler?

Hussey isn't in the original squad, but with Jaques gone home, the selecters will be inviting another batsman over. And yes, they could, but due to the massive post Flintoff Allrounder fetish our selectors have developed that probably won't be happening.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Don't think he is even in the squad. But I think Milo is suggesting that would have been a better option.

Except we don't have a pure spin bowler who can bowl.

Bryce McGain.

 

[Milroastnescafe]

Keep your head Clarkie.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Come on boys, cpl more before close of play...