South Africa vs India | 1st test | Chennai | 26/3/2008 to 30/3/2008

[pakistani pride]

well a score of 450 will be actually very good for SA. that will also means that India have to bat really well in order to stay in the match.

Indıa needs to make sure that SA doesnt cross 450.

 

[Rajan]

Lanat Hai India Per, Duurr Lanat...with all the supposed progress they made recently in the pace department, they are playing with two pacers and Sehwag as their 5th bowler!

Surely days of the opening batsmen also opening the bowling attack must be coming soon too :16:

Keep on dreaming!

 

[Tupac]

good start for the series for the saffies....i want to see how they handle days 4 and 5 though, they're technique seems improved but still awful

but good fightback from jumbo and his boys, we should aim to knock em over for less then 400 and then bat for a good 2 days

 

[saffer]

good start for the series for the saffies....i want to see how they handle days 4 and 5 though, they're technique seems improved but still awful

I'm be more worried about your own batting against spin on days 4 and 5 . Harris took two 5 wicket hauls against you in south african conditions at an average of 18 or something and you have to bat last . S.A play spin very well . I think 400 plus will see India under great pressure . Steyn is coming in with a mighty reputation and that is bound to play on the minds of the Indian batsmen ....harris and ntini arent too bad either .

 

[siddharth]

Just checked the score in the morning .SA looking well settled .our bowling attack is looking boring as hell . Kumble ,Bhajji and Sehwag as fifth bowler ,yawn. I wonder why curator made a desert pitch like this .

 

[saffer]

Just checked the score in the morning .SA looking well settled .our bowling attack is looking boring as hell . Kumble ,Bhajji and Sehwag as fifth bowler ,yawn. I wonder why curator made a desert pitch like this .

because you'd have no chance on a fast track ?

 

[PlanetPakistan]

because you'd have no chance on a fast track ?

These days IND do worse on slow pitches. They lost the last test match in SA on a very slow track, they lost the game at the MCG(slowest pitch i have ever seen at Melbourne) and couldn't win the 2nd or the 3rd test against an average PAK side despite winning the toss. Compare this to their performance on fast pitches like the one in the 1st test match in SA, the game at Sydeny and Perth and its clear that Indians need a bit of help(pace) from the pitch.

 

[Monsee]

Keep on dreaming!

Nice come back


So what is your reply to the first part of my post?

Originally Posted by Monsee
Lanat Hai India Per, Duurr Lanat...with all the supposed progress they made recently in the pace department, they are playing with two pacers and Sehwag as their 5th bowler!

Surely days of the opening batsmen also opening the bowling attack must be coming soon too

With bowlers waiting who are supposedly the Best in the World, according to a few of your own, what is the excuse?

 

[siddharth]

because you'd have no chance on a fast track ?

Last time we won aginst SA in a fast track.Preparing patta pitches have back fired us in the recent times.

 

[dinakar]

Nice come back


So what is your reply to the first part of my post?



With bowlers waiting who are supposedly the Best in the World, according to a few of your own, what is the excuse?

see the bowling lineup of the winning team in this test, which had the best fast bowling group of that time..

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...ND/SCORECARDS/PAK_IND_T1_28JAN-01FEB1999.html

for the same reasons

 

[Monsee]

see the bowling lineup of the winning team in this test, which had the best fast bowling group of that time..

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...ND/SCORECARDS/PAK_IND_T1_28JAN-01FEB1999.html

for the same reasons

Few curious questions:

What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?

Now after having asked all the vital questions, here a few more

Was the above match played in Pakistan or did Pakistan had anything to do with the pitch preparation?

Do you honestly think Srisanath and Singh are anywhere close to Wasim and Waqar's class/skill?


Lastly, my comments were in response to the recent innuendos that 'Indian Phaast attack' is the Best in the World...constantly being said/printed etc. all over the world by some of the Indian experts/journalists!

What good is an attack when you can't even use it at home...why not prepare a supporting track and lets see how good is your attack in reality?

One last time...What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?

 

[dinakar]

Few curious questions:

What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?
What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?

Now after having asked all the vital questions, here a few more

Was the above match played in Pakistan or did Pakistan had anything to do with the pitch preparation?

Do you honestly think Srisanath and Singh are anywhere close to Wasim and Waqar's class/skill?


Lastly, my comments were in response to the recent innuendos that 'Indian Phaast attack' is the Best in the World...constantly being said/printed etc. all over the world by some of the Indian experts/journalists!

What good is an attack when you can't even use it at home...why not prepare a supporting track and lets see how good is your attack in reality?

One last time...What does Pak team's attack have anything to do with this?

I need to give a simple answer. despite having the best line up (with Shoaib in the squad) why Pakistan has chosen to go with 2 pacers + 2 spinners? it because the nature of the Madras pitch, which suits spinners. the same tactics by India too now. you don't need to go over board that I'm comparing Sreesanth with Akram or so. nor I attempt to reply to your stupid over reactions.

 

[Amir]

I am not too pleased. I Was hoping for a better performance. We should have scored 146 more runs in the day without losing four less wickets. Looks like we will just have to make do with what we have and finish them off in four instead. Oh well, one extra day off is better than nothing.

 

[gibster82]

Thats in the Macquarie dictionary now.

MacquArie dictionary...off topic - do any of you work for Macquarie?

 

[phoenix-suns]

Overall Indians have done well to restrict SA to 300 for 4. SA wasted a great chance of scoring 350+ for 2 or 3 wickets on this wicket which was very good for batting. RP Singh and Sreesanth over attacked a bit in the beginning but spinners done well in the second and third session. If India could get SA all out for 400 or 425, we are going to have a very good test match.

 

[Amjid Javed]

S.A have set a good solid base but they need to go on and get 450-500 and then start to put pressure back on indian batting. Intresting to see how likes of morkel and steyn go on this flat bed!

 

[Tupac]

I'm be more worried about your own batting against spin on days 4 and 5 . Harris took two 5 wicket hauls against you in south african conditions at an average of 18 or something and you have to bat last . S.A play spin very well . I think 400 plus will see India under great pressure . Steyn is coming in with a mighty reputation and that is bound to play on the minds of the Indian batsmen ....harris and ntini arent too bad either .

Harris has played a grand total of one test match against india, picking up 5 wickets in 59 overs at an average of 36.

Not two 5 wicket hauls....5 wickets TOTAL

 

[Amjid Javed]

S.A have continued to look very strong at home and i think this series plus the ones away to Aussies and England will show wether this side could become there best side since re-admissionin 1992. Some may say they need a spinner to compete in all conditions but then again S.A never have had a decent spinner and seem to be able to compensate for that fact most of the time.

 

[saffer]

S.A have continued to look very strong at home and i think this series plus the ones away to Aussies and England will show wether this side could become there best side since re-admissionin 1992. Some may say they need a spinner to compete in all conditions but then again S.A never have had a decent spinner and seem to be able to compensate for that fact most of the time.

It's not the best side since re-admission , it's just good in relation to the other teams around at the moment. Potentially it's a good side , but that's based on the assumption that amla and devilliers will keep scoring more regularly . 6 consistant batsmen and our bowling would make us the best side around at the moment .

South Africans are looking to these three series to prove themselves. I do honestly think england is not such a great challenge...all of our players have loads of experience on their tracks. By losing the toss india have given away all the advantage they would usually have in a series against S.A ....too early to say but I think S.a will grow in confidence and start dominating from here provided the pitches to come offer something to our bowlers .

 

[Tupac]

It's not the best side since re-admission , it's just good in relation to the other teams around at the moment. Potentially it's a good side , but that's based on the assumption that amla and devilliers will keep scoring more regularly . 6 consistant batsmen and our bowling would make us the best side around at the moment .

South Africans are looking to these three series to prove themselves. I do honestly think england is not such a great challenge...all of our players have loads of experience on their tracks. By losing the toss india have given away all the advantage they would usually have in a series against S.A ....too early to say but I think S.a will grow in confidence and start dominating from here provided the pitches to come offer something to our bowlers .

will harris take another 10 wickets at an average of 18 ?

 

[saffer]

will harris take another 10 wickets at an average of 18 ?

My mistake . That was against India and pakistan combined . You all look the same to me .

(yes , a joke).

Either way he has a good record playing on tracks that don't help spinners. I imagine he'll do pretty well on ones that do.

 

[switchblade]

Such a boring match.... India should have played with 5 spinners to get some excitement...lol.

I guess Waseem Jaffer and Sehwag will repay in kind and the match will be a tame draw.

 

[saffer]

Such a boring match.... India should have played with 5 spinners to get some excitement...lol.

I guess Waseem Jaffer and Sehwag will repay in kind and the match will be a tame draw.

Yeah....the heat and flat pitch isnt going to inspire any great fast bowling from South Africa either .

 

[PlanetPakistan]

I watched the match for the 1st 2 sessions and the pitch is not very good for test cricket but the S African batting in the first 2 sessions was not that boring.

 

[bablu_khan]

I watched the match for the 1st 2 sessions and the pitch is not very good for test cricket but the S African batting in the first 2 sessions was not that boring.

may be during the session 2 of day 3, game might take some turn with pitch deteriorating..

 

[TruSachFan]

i fear tests in india are taking a drastic hit
shows bcz india is only playing 2 tests against eng when they tour us in december

20/20s unfortunately is the big deal now

anywayz for the game

we must restrict saf to around 390 and then sehwag blitz

 

[Indiafan]

Pitches like these dont help the cause. The matches in Australia were so very interesting becuase the pitches had somehting for the bowelrs and only good batmen would have survived. Ponting would have scored 300 against Ishant on this road (well maybe not, Bhajji would have still got him).

Defensive captains dont understand that in the long run, they are harming Test cricket in India for short term gains.

 

[TruSachFan]

its BCCI man i can understand not preparing green picthes b4 but now we have pace

for gods sake we have RP and sreesanth who would do wonders

just wondering
when does tat fat pig pawars term ends??

 

[12thMan]

...Defensive captains dont understand that in the long run, they are harming Test cricket in India for short term gains

Captains should have no say on the pitches. The grounds should have standard pitches (like in Australia) and if captain has a say then it should only be which city the test should be in. It kills cricket and half the time the pitches don't turn out the way they want anyways. When there is a test scheduled in Sydney or Perth you know well in advance what the pitch will be like so the team can also be better prepared in squad and team selection . It should not be a surprise waiting to be discovered a day before the game

 

[saffer]

Test cricket is much more exciting when there is something in the pitch for the bowelrs. Then whether your team is bowling or batting you expect something could happen at any moment. It helps keep the tension. When you see a 50 or hundred partnership on south african pitches for example it's almost match winning...in India it seems routine ....boring ...all the tension is gone . I found myself falling alseep at times yesterday...even though the batsmen were hitting 4's frequently...there was just no feeling that they would get out unless via a fluke.....

Listen and learn India .

 

[TruSachFan]

Test cricket is much more exciting when there is something in the pitch for the bowelrs. Then whether your team is bowling or batting you expect something could happen at any moment. It helps keep the tension. When you see a 50 or hundred partnership on south african pitches for example it's almost match winning...in India it seems routine ....boring ...all the tension is gone . I found myself falling alseep at times yesterday...even though the batsmen were hitting 4's frequently...there was just no feeling that they would get out unless via a fluke.....

Listen and learn BCCI .

FIXED

 

[saffer]

FIXED

Fair enough. Listen whoever is reponsible for the pitches anyway.

 

[UP]

Just saw few overs yesterday but what a performance from South Africa!!!

If S.A. makes over 450 India will bat under huge pressure!!!

 

[saffer]

If S.A. makes over 450 India will bat under huge pressure!!!

Unlikely . S.A has a long tail this game and none of them can play spin . Much depends on amla , de villiers and boucher . But I'll be very happy with 400 or anything above .

 

[saffer]

Nice start from devilliers...something tells me S.A want to hit the spinners out of the attack and get the "quick" bowlers on again for some beating . Big mistake for india if they fall for it . De villiers will be lethal on this flat track against the "pace" bowlers india have .

 

[saffer]

And they fall for it...new ball taken . Might work for India of course...but I think this could be a mistake .

 

[bablu_khan]

most of u forgot, chennai is always good on day 3,4,5.

so hang on folkz..

even Australia put 326 for 3 something during day 1 of first test @ chennai..

the end result we all know

 

[saffer]

Pitch looks like it might be making a little movement....S.A bowlers will look at that with interest .

 

[bablu_khan]

Well played Mr. Amla..

congratz on reaching 100

 

[saffer]

amla gets his hundred with 3 fours in a row...class !!

 

[saffer]

50 partnership......these two looking very dangerous at the moment . S.a seem in no mood to let indian back into the game .

 

[saffer]

I take back what i said about the pitch...still looks flat as anything .

 

[saffer]

India are having a nasty wake up call after their party in australia at the moment...they look as flat as the pitch...bad fielding , bad body language etc...

 

[bablu_khan]

I take back what i said about the pitch...still looks flat as anything .

well not really.. we have seen some poor line n lenght also.. as they day progresses.. surely it will become better for bowlers what it was yesterday..

some poor line lenght also.. if u see

 

[bablu_khan]

looks like ganguly is gonna come..

hey saffer. what channel are u watching the game on in south africa?

 

[saffer]

looks like ganguly is gonna come..

hey saffer. what channel are u watching the game on in south africa?

i'm watching streaming cricket....I'm based in East Asia for work so they don't show it on local tv . In south africa supersport 1 or 2 will be showing it no doubt .

 

[saffer]

7 runs an over this morning ....silly to have taken the new ball .

 

[saffer]

That last ball seamed away a bit . So maybe just one or two spots now .

 

[saffer]

Sree trying to show some aggression and devilliers come down the pitch and hits him for 4 . I want to pat him on the head as one would to console a child .

 

[bablu_khan]

where did u buy the streaming from saffer?

 

[bablu_khan]

and finally.. sreesanth has taken a wicket..

de villerz mate goes..

 

[saffer]

De villiers goes.....

nice partnership.....got the momentum going .

 

[saffer]

Bablu I will message you the site .

 

[bablu_khan]

okay saffer

 

[saffer]

edit.

 

[saffer]

Sree is around 125 kmph .....is he always that slow or the heat ?

 

[bablu_khan]

saffer buddy thanks for the link

 

[wanted_desi]

105.5 Sreesanth to Boucher, no run, fuller length delivery angling into the right hander, Boucher comes on the frontfoot and looks to defend, rapped on the pads, HUGE APPEAL!! for lbw turned down, that was a mighty close shout, Sreesanth can't believe it, that would have hit middle I think

 

[saffer]

Boucher was lucky there...watch him make a hundred....that will be the end of the umpires career .

 

[PlanetPakistan]

390-5

Amla moves on to 121

 

[OZGOD]

India being put under the cosh at the moment. If the Boers get to 500 it will be a pretty handy score I reckon.

 

[saffer]

South african batsmen are playing the spin well ( as expected..always do these days) . No bat and padding up...they are hitting through the line .

 

[saffer]

If the Boers get to 500 it will be a pretty handy score I reckon.

That would be great . Would require a good partnership from these two though...450 more likely ...but anything over and about would be a good score . A non losing score anyway...

 

[saffer]

401 for 5 ...

 

[saffer]

India winning look less and less likely....S.A need about 50-100 to totally bat them out of it .

 

[161]

worlds greatest pace attack doing awesome here ..

400 runs up for the saffies and they have managed to pick up one whole wicket ...

 

[saffer]

So quiet from the Indian fans....you guys had a lot to say before the series .

 

[asifp]

yaar the PCB and BCCI are the definition of phatooooo

i never get it , PCB prepared lively tracks at domestic level but sucks at intl.

Jeez when will we get lively tracks in the sub continent to get some good cricket, is it that tough really.

Only guys that know how to create tracks, National Stadium Karachi

 

[PlanetPakistan]

Sree is around 125 kmph .....is he always that slow or the heat ?

No...his top speed is around 90 mph and average about 85.

RP has been very disappointing, i hope they get Sharma back for the 2nd test.

 

[PlanetPakistan]

yaar the PCB and BCCI are the definition of phatooooo

i never get it , PCB prepared lively tracks at domestic level but sucks at intl.

Jeez when will we get lively tracks in the sub continent to get some good cricket, is it that tough really.

Only guys that know how to create tracks, National Stadium Karachi

the pitch for the 1st test against SA was as bad as this one in Chennai and the one against WI in 06 was one of the worst pitches that i have ever seen

 

[saffer]

Yeah...as a fan it's not fun to watch your batsmen get 500 runs if you know that all that it means if you have to sit back for 2 days and watch the opposition batsmen smack your bowlers because the pitch is doing nothing . India deserve to lose this for the negative tactics employed in hoping they win the toss .

 

[Megadeth]

I am so glad Ishant isn't playing on this flat track..would've done him damage ala Asif,Gul... *** indian board and curators...stop using the same old 90s tactic of a dead pitch...

 

[Megadeth]

Yeah...as a fan it's not fun to watch your batsmen get 500 runs if you know that all that it means if you have to sit back for 2 days and watch the opposition batsmen smack your bowlers because the pitch is doing nothing . India deserve to lose this for the negative tactics employed in hoping they win the toss .

Agree with saffer here..the pitch was completely uncalled for...its not even taking spin...maybe they're trying to get Sehwag in form before the nxt test..

 

[saffer]

Match is going a little nowhere ....S.A probably need to score another 150 plus for a chance to win (enough runs and time to get india out twice) and that won't likely happen....

 

[OZGOD]

That would be great . Would require a good partnership from these two though...450 more likely ...but anything over and about would be a good score . A non losing score anyway...

You guys will easily get over 450. What Smiffy has to think about is how many overs he will need to take 20 Indian wickets. Based on how the pitch is playing it will be a lot.

 

[PlanetPakistan]

Still 3.6666 days to go so obviously there is a chance of a result.

We have heard a lot about Steyn and if he can perform on such rubbish pitches then i am sure the whole world will see him as the best fast bowler.

 

[OZGOD]

So quiet from the Indian fans....you guys had a lot to say before the series .

They're waiting for India to bat and put up 500 in return I reckon.

 

[Random Aussie]

Meh same old India - dead pitches again

 

[OZGOD]

India just can't get Amla out.

 

[161]

Test Cricket in India = ZzZZZzZZzzzzZZZzzZZZzZZ

bump .. anything happening yet or should i go back to sleep ?

seriously .. teams should cancel their tours to the subcontinent .. not for security reasons .. but rather these pathetic pitches.