South Africa A v India A | 1st unofficial Test | Rustenburg | Aug 17-20, 2013

[battler]

India A won the toss and elected to bat first
India-14/0 in 9 overs (vijay 10*,dhawan 4*)

 

[Sandeep]

16-0 after 12 overs.. Dhawan should just stick out there and see how conditions are going to be.. Anyway, the bowling will be much much better during December..

 

[battler]

Dhawan playing extremely slowly 4* (35)

 

[cricket sport]

why its called unofficial test?

 

[hur rizvi]

Good start by India

After so much preparation for S.A. series they should win atleast 1 test in coming series

 

[hur rizvi]

Dhawan playing extremely slowly 4* (35)

It's a 4 day match, ball might have been moving around too

 

[hur rizvi]

Dhawan to a spinner

 

[soso_killer]

South Africa should be much stronger in the longer format. Asian players dont have the temperament for the longer format of the game especialy at younger stage. In Asia you can get away with sloging wants you get bored, but not in swinging conditions.

Good luck to both teams

 

[hur rizvi]

Spinner has picked up a wicket but he's releasing pressure, Against India S.A. should play 4 fast bowlers

 

[Sandeep]

50 overs gone, India A are placed at 121-2 with Pujara and Rohit at the crease.. Rohit should look to score few runs here and book his place for the test matches!

 

[battler]

India 147/2 at tea
Pujara 70*(126),showing what a class batsman he is!

 

[jaguarjack]

50 overs gone, India A are placed at 121-2 with Pujara and Rohit at the crease.. Rohit should look to score few runs here and book his place for the test matches!

he should make it at #6.. not convinced about jaddu or Dhoni being no.6 in SA conditions..

 

[battler]

he should make it at #6.. not convinced about jaddu or Dhoni being no.6 in SA conditions..

Dhoni has to be in the squad as a keeper and more so as a captain,so dhoni is definetly in!
Jaddu might be useful with the ball,but he'll just be a bunny of steyn and philander with the bat.

 

[jaguarjack]

^^ ofcourse Dhoni will be in.. I'm talking about batting order.. selectors can't play both Ashwin n Jaddu because neither Jaddu nor Dhoni are #6 batsmen in tests, especially in away conditions..

 

[Sandeep]

Pujara century, Rohit half century... So far so good

 

[WebGuru]

Where is that guy Mandeep Singh? Heard alot about him and his FC numbers looks good...

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Glad to see Pujara finally among some runs. Also about the fact that Rohit is not wasting another opportunity.

 

[Sandeep]

Where is that guy Mandeep Singh? Heard alot about him and his FC numbers looks good...

That guy still needs to work on his game, attitude.. He's not even as much talented as Rohit to be given a free ride.. He's playing domestic currently and plays for KXIP in IPL

 

[Sandeep]

Rohit looks to be at home in the longer version.. Taking his own sweet time.. Nice to see

 

[WebGuru]

That guy still needs to work on his game, attitude.. He's not even as much talented as Rohit to be given a free ride.. He's playing domestic currently and plays for KXIP in IPL

But he was part of India A team if i am not wrong?

 

[jaguarjack]

Rohit looks to be at home in the longer version.. Taking his own sweet time.. Nice to see

it is stupidity of the selectors to bring him into ODI side.. his list a stats are also bad for an Indian batsman.. otoh, his first class avg is superb...

 

[Sandeep]

But he was part of India A team if i am not wrong?

Yes, he was a part in the last season when India A toured New Zealand.. He scored a couple of big hundreds and was decent in that tour.. This time around the Indian board has sent out test probables to South Africa (this tour may have effect on the December tour's selection).

 

[Sandeep]

it is stupidity of the selectors to bring him into ODI side.. his list a stats are also bad for an Indian batsman.. otoh, his first class avg is superb...

Exactly! A guy with a List A avg of 34 odd and first class average of 60 was drafted into the ODI side. I feel Duncan Fletcher's appointment as Indian coach has revived his career. He backs these youngsters.. What we're seeing now are the fruits of his work

 

[WebGuru]

Yes, he was a part in the last season when India A toured New Zealand.. He scored a couple of big hundreds and was decent in that tour.. This time around the Indian board has sent out test probables to South Africa (this tour may have effect on the December tour's selection).

Yup most of these will be playing in SA tour so it's good for practice...not sure about the pitch in this test match but the pitches used in ODIs were really different thn usual SA pitches...

 

[Singham]

Yes, he was a part in the last season when India A toured New Zealand.. He scored a couple of big hundreds and was decent in that tour.. This time around the Indian board has sent out test probables to South Africa (this tour may have effect on the December tour's selection).

He is picked for the A team which is going to play against NZ A team in India.

 

[Sandeep]

Yup most of these will be playing in SA tour so it's good for practice...not sure about the pitch in this test match but the pitches used in ODIs were really different thn usual SA pitches...

Yeah, right. Pitches for this tour are apparently out of the league of the pitches on which we're going to play.. But it's always good for the confidence of players to score few runs

 

[Sandeep]

He is picked for the A team which is going to play against NZ A team in India.

The side that plays NZ A in India has a completely different set of players! Also, that tour stars the next day this tour ends! Good to see BCCI giving opportunities to all these youngsters

 

[WebGuru]

Yeah, right. Pitches for this tour are apparently out of the league of the pitches on which we're going to play.. But it's always good for the confidence of players to score few runs

Yup and from this SA A team at least 3 players are probably going to be the part of SA Test squad including Abbot, Elgar and Duminy so it's good to play against them...

 

[Singham]

Pujara- 100*

 

[Sandeep]

Pujara and Rohit are steadily increasing the rate.. These guys know the art of building innings in longer version of the game

 

[WebGuru]

Pujara going at a very healthy rate...

 

[mastermind_quad]

Well Done Pujara and Sharma ...going good...

 

[Singham]

Pujara has been impressive in whatever test matches he has played. ODIs is a different story.

 

[battler]

The same kyle Abbott whom the pakistani batsmen made a legend of is being thrashed by pujara

 

[Sandeep]

Pujara gone for 140.. good workout.. Rahane will be the next man in

 

[mastermind_quad]

Pujar on 140

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

Rohit looks to be at home in the longer version.. Taking his own sweet time.. Nice to see

Yet we have the farce of Rohit not playing a test and hacks being tried at times for India in tests.

Get him in the test team ASAP.

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

The same kyle Abbott whom the pakistani batsmen made a legend of is being thrashed by pujara

Massive difference in class. I think Pakistan were deflated by not winning in Cape Town. We should've won there. That really hurt.

 

[Sandeep]

Yet we have the farce of Rohit not playing a test and hacks being tried at times for India in tests.

Get him in the test team ASAP.

Agree..

 

[mastermind_quad]

Yet we have the farce of Rohit not playing a test and hacks being tried at times for India in tests.

Get him in the test team ASAP.

Agree with you Rohit should be in Test team.

 

[Sandeep]

India close on 281-3 at stumps with Rohit still at the crease

 

[sam_ahm]

Can anyone tell me why are we calling this an India A team when it is pretty much team India itself... same thing I observed during that A team tri series also. why can't some fringe players get a chance instead of the same players playing so much, I think they are just trying to give them some experience of the conditions before the real thing starts.

 

[ace58]

Can anyone tell me why are we calling this an India A team when it is pretty much team India itself... same thing I observed during that A team tri series also. why can't some fringe players get a chance instead of the same players playing so much, I think they are just trying to give them some experience of the conditions before the real thing starts.

I think dhawan and pujara are the only players that are guaranteed to play in the final test xi.

although I wouldn't mind if selectors pick rahane or rohit ahead of tendulkar. but thats not going to happen.

 

[sam_ahm]

I think dhawan and pujara are the only players that are guaranteed to play in the final test xi.

although I wouldn't mind if selectors pick rahane or rohit ahead of tendulkar. but thats not going to happen.

actually if you see the "A" team tri series, hardly any player in AUS A and RSA A team was from the main team, but pretty much more than half of team India was, so it doesn't really serve the purpose of giving the fringe players a chance, the only purpose it apparently serves is giving the players a feel of the south african conditions, however, given the kind of "Road" pitches that were on offer during that series means that the orginal conditions when India tours RSA later this year will be very different, in addition to that I fear players like Raina, Rohit, Dhawan may just burn out playing so much of cricket, non stop!

 

[TheNeutralist]

Australia A team : Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Shuan Marsh, Tim Paine who were part of Aussie team not long back

 

[ST1998]

Well done by India 'A' team so far on this tour.

 

[ST1998]

South Africa should be much stronger in the longer format. Asian players dont have the temperament for the longer format of the game especialy at younger stage. In Asia you can get away with sloging wants you get bored, but not in swinging conditions.

Good luck to both teams

lol at Asian players not having temperament for longer format. How one can generalize this is beyond me? Just because they've won multiple ODI/T20 WCs?

 

[sam_ahm]

Australia A team : Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Shuan Marsh, Tim Paine who were part of Aussie team not long back

Warner wasn't a part of the ODI series I think and Paine hasn't played for Australia since ages, if I go by that logic Rohit, Dhawan, Raina, Pujara, Raiyudu, D Karthik, Shami, Unadkat, Vijay all have been part of Indian team, that too presently.

anyways I think "A" teamtours can consist of players who are not part of the regular team but are back ups so I have no issues when Vijay, Unadkat and Raiyudu play but when players like Dhawan, Raina, Pujara, Rohit, Dinesh Kartik, play in "A" team it really kills the entire concept of the initiative.

 

[ST1998]

And I agree with BCCI sending a strong team here in SA though bowling still remains crap.

100 for Rohit.

 

[Ims1]

Our bowling line-up is very weak .

 

[ST1998]

Rahane wastes yet another opportunity. This is not how he is going to get his place back in Indian test team. There is so much competition for ever slot.

 

[ST1998]

Duminy has taken 3/6 wickets to fall.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Plz bring Rohit Sharma to test side! Please! He's never gonna make it in ODIs, guy's born to play the longer format.

 

[ST1998]

Ton for Raina but he is still nowhere near selection in test team.

 

[Singham]

Rahane wastes yet another opportunity. This is not how he is going to get his place back in Indian test team. There is so much competition for ever slot.

He is overrated. He is a mental midget when it comes to playing at the highest level.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Agreed on Rahane being a domestic hack. He aint ever gonna make it. I have given up already.

 

[KIC]

1st unofficial Test: South Africa A v India A at Rustenburg, Aug 17-20, 2013

This may end up being a hypothetical question but what is the lead required to impose the follow on in a 4 day test? 150 runs?

 

[chickenkarhai]

Is this a joke a number 11 smashing a bowling lineup all over the ground.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Re: 1st unofficial Test: South Africa A v India A at Rustenburg, Aug 17-20, 2013

Agreed on Rahane being a domestic hack. He aint ever gonna make it. I have given up already.

There is confusion if it was Rahane or Raina who scored thw century.CSA official twitter says it was Rahane.

 

[chickenkarhai]

This may end up being a hypothetical question but what is the lead required to impose the follow on in a 4 day test? 150 runs?

Yes

 

[jaguarjack]

Can anyone tell me why are we calling this an India A team when it is pretty much team India itself... same thing I observed during that A team tri series also. why can't some fringe players get a chance instead of the same players playing so much, I think they are just trying to give them some experience of the conditions before the real thing starts.

you said it yourself.. if the tri-series happened at any other place, selectors wouldn't have bothered to send so many first-choice players for this tour.. I think it is a good decision by the selectors even if this experience doesn't help with the real thing...

 

[Raj-MSDian]

There is confusion if it was Rahane or Raina who scored thw century.CSA official twitter says it was Rahane.

Has to be raina.look at the strike rate

 

[spaceshot]

Has to be raina.look at the strike rate

That is no way to ascertain which is which.
I did checked on other sites which were providing live updates. Scorecard there mentioned Raina.


Moreover, i am not of the opinion that Rahane is mentally tough to overcome the grind at this level. Not cut out for the bigger stage i am afraid.

 

[KIC]

Raina scored the 100. There is a picture of him, raising the bat in acknowledgement on achieving the landmark, in one of the newspapers this morning.

 

[Random Aussie]

Once again BCCI just behaving solely in their own self interest.

In what world is Pujara an A team batsman? He is the best batsman in the indian test team and averages what 60odd? Is his place under threat so he has to go on an A tour?

 

[Varun]

Is his place under threat so he has to go on an A tour?

No, but we have a tour of South Africa coming up in a couple of months - a territory in which he's toured and failed in previously, so he needs to get all the practise he can get.

Thought it was easy to put two and two together in this instance? I felt bored writing the damn couple of sentences above, in fact.

 

[Varun]

Raina scored the 100. There is a picture of him, raising the bat in acknowledgement on achieving the landmark, in one of the newspapers this morning.

Speaking of Raina I remember him playing a test or two in South Africa in 2010/11. Failed inevitably, but a ton in this outing is always encouraging.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Once again BCCI just behaving solely in their own self interest.

So who's interest should they behave in? Cricket Australia's?

In what world is Pujara an A team batsman? He is the best batsman in the indian test team and averages what 60odd? Is his place under threat so he has to go on an A tour?

While as a cricket fan you have a right to make these comments, I am not sure why it should concern an outsider - you- who we sent on our A team tours?

While I mostly criticize them, in this case I am 100% behind BCCI's decision. We have an upcoming tour of SA. Given the crowded Test calendars our international team is likely to not get too many FC games to get familiar with conditions.

This way some of our batsmen can get the experience, and some can make a point to the selectors.

I realize that It's likely to not work out as intended anyway, because these SA pitches so far have been roads. But top marks to the BCCI for trying.

 

[Varun]

This way some of our batsmen can get the experience, and some can make a point to the selectors.

Absolutely not. Wasim Jaffer and Mohammad Kaif should have made this 'A' team - two players who aren't going to South Africa anytime soon, thereby proving that the BCCICC doesn't function in its own self-interest, and helps out by making the home team look better than they are.

 

[Random Aussie]

So who's interest should they behave in? Cricket Australia's?



While as a cricket fan you have a right to make these comments, I am not sure why it should concern an outsider - you- who we sent on our A team tours?

While I mostly criticize them, in this case I am 100% behind BCCI's decision. We have an upcoming tour of SA. Given the crowded Test calendars our international team is likely to not get too many FC games to get familiar with conditions.

This way some of our batsmen can get the experience, and some can make a point to the selectors.

I realize that It's likely to not work out as intended anyway, because these SA pitches so far have been roads. But top marks to the BCCI for trying.

The A team tours are meant to be for A team players. I just think its funny to send someone who so obviously is not a second XI player on a second XI tour. In fact he might be the highest averaging batsman in world cricket at the moment, on an A tour.


I can bet you if CSA had picked Dale Steyn and he tore apart your batters in an A game, there would be hue and cry and teeth gnashing and all that......

And as far as your "none of your business" point, its a cricket forum and I will comment on what I like.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Since you're trying to create strawmen and knock them down...

.......And as far as your "none of your business" point, its a cricket forum and I will comment on what I like.

..I am quoting myself. See the bolded part.

So who's interest should they behave in? Cricket Australia's?
....
While as a cricket fan you have a right to make these comments, I am not sure why it should concern an outsider - you- who we sent on our A team tours?.....

 

[KIC]

Why was David Warner included in the Australia A team? Wasn't it because he did not get enough match practice ahead of the Ashes due to being banned? He was very much part of Australia's test XI.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

To answer what you've added to your earlier post

.....I can bet you if CSA had picked Dale Steyn and he tore apart your batters in an A game, there would be hue and cry and teeth gnashing and all that......
.....

You can bet, can you? In other words, you have no facts to back up your argument Just a hypothetical scenario with a convenient ending.

 

[Random Aussie]

To answer what you've added to your earlier post



You can bet, can you? In other words, you have no facts to back up your argument Just a hypothetical scenario with a convenient ending.

I'm not even arguing, I just think it is funny that a) the form Test batsman in the world is playing an A tour and b) that if I post a line of two bagging India the Defenders of Bharat come flying in, all puffed up with righteous indignation and anger,

 

[Aman]

Once again BCCI just behaving solely in their own self interest.

In what world is Pujara an A team batsman? He is the best batsman in the indian test team and averages what 60odd? Is his place under threat so he has to go on an A tour?

It's a futile attempt from the BCCI's behalf, if they think the wickets will be anything like this they're in a for a surprise come December/January.

 

[Varun]

Why was David Warner included in the Australia A team? Wasn't it because he did not get enough match practice ahead of the Ashes due to being banned? He was very much part of Australia's test XI.

Scored a brisk 193 too did Warner, bashing the likes of some 'Harmer' and Hendricks.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/630760.html

Came back to England after that and scored a 41 and a 71, which is good for his standards I guess - averages 38, leave alone his away numbers.

 

[Aman]

^ Good to see Glenn Maxwell doing well in meaningless games

 

[ST1998]

I can bet you if CSA had picked Dale Steyn and he tore apart your batters in an A game, there would be hue and cry and teeth gnashing and all that......

lol at your assumptions!!

How do you know that anyone would've cried even if Steyn would've been unleashed on these Indian batsmen? In fact, we'd have welcomed that move as that'd have given at least Dhawan and Pujara match practice against him. That'd have been priceless from Indian point of view.

Do you even think before you spew venom against anything and everything Indian?

 

[ST1998]

I'm not even arguing, I just think it is funny that a) the form Test batsman in the world is playing an A tour and b) that if I post a line of two bagging India the Defenders of Bharat come flying in, all puffed up with righteous indignation and anger,

lol, one can understand your current state of mind. So lets leave it at that.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

I'm not even arguing, I just think it is funny that a) the form Test batsman in the world is playing an A tour and b) that if I post a line of two bagging India the Defenders of Bharat come flying in, all puffed up with righteous indignation and anger,

When you resort to personalities, you know you've lost it.....