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Sight Screen

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Ind-Zim Day3 open thread

The game's progressing on pretty predictable lines...with India, having wrapped the Zim innings fairly satisfactorily, and then built on the initial advantage with a good opening partnership, are looking to play relatively safely, so that they have to bat only once(and big). They covered the smaller milestones in that journey fairly perfectly. Not loosing any extra wickets and Laxman and Ganguly refraining themselves towards the end of the day.

Laxman, while acknowledging the weakness of the attack, is fairly pleased with his effort, coming from a break of sorts, understandably so...although I wished he hadn't spoken about the 'negative vibes' in the team. Dropping hints like these serves no purpose for his or team good. But still, given the kind of troubles he has faced in the last years, some vent is probably due. I hope he does it more with the bat, though. In this match, the next, and the next.. :-)

And btw, ICC called up a special PC to trash the speculations about the match fixing investigation going on. Now this issue surely looks dead to me...but I guess with the knowledge of the past, as we have, its never safe to discount all possibilities.

Anyways....open thread for the day....

posted by worma at 2:58 AM

289 Comments:

  • Yeah, we should look forward to batting almost the entire day. We can probably still win by batting aggressively till about an hour after lunch and try to finish the game today itself, but all our batsmen need batting practices. Weak or strong, Zim is an international side against whom Sehwag and Dravid couldnt make hundred (in this game). So, a year from now, when we analyze Laxman's performance, would we discount this hundred saying it came against the arguably weakest attack in the world?

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:44  

  • gp, true in all you say. For example, no one now discusses that Hayden triple ton was against Zim. It was part of building his reputation as a big scorer.

    As I said yesterday, its Zim alright, but still many good batsmen miss out on tons, and many good bowlers on five-fors. So what Lax and Pathan did is not 'totally useless' and 'not worth mentioning', whatever people may say.

    By Blogger worma, at 03:53  

  • k-slice..agreed. Its not at all contrary to my opinion (wrote abt it earlier)...comfortable series win here..with good individual performance...is good for this team...a perfect way to come out of lean patch before going into tougher challenges in the season.

    By Blogger worma, at 04:05  

  • k-slice...if they are foolish enough to get complacent after their achievements against Zim..then no-one can help them!!...but IMO they are aware just exactly what these achievements mean for them (as Lax conceded about the attack).

    Azza's PC's were a riot :)

    By Blogger worma, at 04:15  

  • vshan, just remember that this is the first test innings, in a while, for our bowlers and batsmen....it takes a while to get into test match mentality (attack with bowl, and carefull with bat)...so..give some leeway for that

    k-slice don't be so cruel ;)

    By Blogger worma, at 04:20  

  • k-slice no probs...i dont defend him anymore ;)...and yeah..I also remember the times when the match for us got over when SRT got out..those were bad cricketing times for Ind team...but still somehow the memories are nostalgic :)

    By Blogger worma, at 04:27  

  • Yakub,
    Is this for tests or ODI's? I would think Farookh Engineer in place of s.vishwanath.

    Ravi (No Italics !!)

    By Blogger Karrileaf, at 04:38  

  • vshan, put shastri instead of venkat and take azza in. Thats my team (from the players i have seen)

    By Blogger worma, at 04:51  

  • I would think Dravid is the best batsman at number 3 for india. So would add him

    By Blogger Karrileaf, at 04:59  

  • I wonder what SG was doing !!

    By Blogger Karrileaf, at 05:00  

  • From Cricinfo:

    92.4 Blignaut to Laxman, no run, RUN OUT! turned away well wide of the fielder at midwicket and Laxman takes off for a single, should have been an easy run but Ganguly stands his ground and that complicates things - in the end a terrible mix-up and Laxman is out by a long way.

    India 356/4, Partnership of 128
    VVS Laxman run out (Streak) 140 (221b 21x4 0x6)

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:02  

  • ravi, ball watching was what he was doing. Cricket 101 was not really followed here.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:03  

  • yeda, Laxman flicked to a vacant mid-wicket spot and took off with a loud call immediately. Ganguly came down about 3-4 steps, all the while looking towards the ball. Streak swooped in from mid-on and picked up and threw in one motion. Ganguly retraced his steps, by which time Laxman had crossed mid-pitch. Laxman stopped and was not even remotely close to making ground when Taibu collected the throw and threw down the stumps.

    It was Laxman's call all the way, and would have been completed (or not), IMO, had Ganguly responded with a call in a normal course of time.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:06  

  • Throw was wayward but Taibu did well to collect it near the crease in front of the stumps and then turn around and dive to hit the stumps. Laxman was about 2/3rds of the way down when he stopped and turned around.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:08  

  • So VVS had almost taken two runs and got run out while SG did not complete half a run. Interesting..

    By Blogger Karrileaf, at 05:12  

  • The commentary team is discussing all kinds of run-out stats.

    Steve Waugh involved in 27 run-outs. Himself run-out 4 times!!

    SG is not far behind either. I wonder what the numbers are for Atapattu.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:14  

  • Two awesome cover drives by Yuvraj.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:14  

  • Yuvraj looks ominous for Zimbabwe.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:15  

  • Hmmm...of course, Inzamam is an old hand at this. I guess I shall have to look around to dig up the numbers for him...

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:16  

  • uvraj yorks himself!!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:26  

  • No Veenu Mankad and no Kumble,in an all time India XI. I would like to request this forum to name any Indian bowler who has taken more wickets per test than Kumble.

    By Blogger Nearly Man, at 05:30  

  • Ganguly has gone past his par score, i hope he now accelerates.

    By Blogger Nearly Man, at 05:32  

  • Hirwani has less than four per test.

    By Blogger Nearly Man, at 05:33  

  • Finding run-out stats for Inzy was easy enough...but finding totoal # that he was involved it was harder...oh well, someone with better searching skills could do this one.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:33  

  • 99.2 Dabengwa to Karthik, no run, fulltoss, driven down to the mid-on
    region, there was an easy single there but Ganguly truns down the
    call

    Whats gotten to SG ??

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 05:34  

  • Yuvraj was looking at the spot in teh pitch where the ball landed, thats all.

    Fantastic catch by Taibu..one of the best keepers in the world today. Karthik gone.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:35  

  • The catch was like Gilchrists take in the final Test (Vaughn's, I think, it was).

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:36  

  • My take? Dhoni is not Test standard in keeping. In an ODI for the most part he has done a decent job, and his batting is a bonus. Personally, I like a great keeper-soso batsman ahead of an okay keeper-good batsman. (Yes, I would take Chris Read everytime over Geriant Jones). Just my view, thats all.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:40  

  • What a cover drive by Pathan. Economy of movement, but impeccable footork and timing.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:44  

  • 5000 runs for Ganguly in Tests

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:47  

  • wow...2 more gone...Taibu would learn a lesson that all new Indian batsmen should be fed pace attack when they come in

    By Blogger worma, at 05:48  

  • If i was an Indian tailender, I would get myself out !!

    Why give SG any bragging rights ???

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 05:48  

  • Sweet cover-punch by Pathan off the left arm spinner. Nice, nice shot. He bats in such simple straight lines. If he keeps it up he is in for a very fruitful career. He has the requisite tools for it.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:50  

  • I would still think a lead of 200 looks on par....so maybe we would be allout instead of declaring...doesn't matter

    By Blogger worma, at 05:50  

  • ravi..I think its still not time to throw the bat around...pathan can bat decently...and Kumble can hang around...so SG can look to build proper partnerships with them...then throwing of bat comes with ZK and Bhajji

    By Blogger worma, at 05:55  

  • IP has some serious batting talent...If he can work on his batting against short pitch batting he could, in my opinion, be as good as RD

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 05:55  

  • India today 70 for 3 in 23 overs.

    Does Yuvraj have experience as a captain? What about Kaif, has he captained after the Under-19 days? Anyone know definitively?

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 05:57  

  • vshan, yeah sure declaring would have been good..but to me, if we get 500+ and even if are allout in the process...and get them out under that in second innings..then its a fairly comfortable victory....

    By Blogger worma, at 05:58  

  • blwe_torch..no bhajji isn't bad, can surely get a chancy 50 against this attack....what I meant was that there would be any 'building of innings' when he comes in

    By Blogger worma, at 06:00  

  • " nicer to get a good 77 than an ugly 100". Was he talking about SG?

    Did he really say that... then his target his so obvious :)

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 06:01  

  • 12 overs per hour!! This is very sad.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:01  

  • jaiho...u mean VVS... SG got his wicket

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 06:05  

  • In his post match interview yesterday Laxman was asked what the target would be for today. he replied that GC would sit with the team and tell them their goal for the day, and then they would take it from there.

    I like that. It looks like the team has a set goal in mind for the day and work towards it with input from the coach.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:05  

  • S Gavaskar says he was disappointed with the session. He anticipated at least 100 runs in this session.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:06  

  • mock : hmm..how did he know he would get a nice 70+ in the match ;-)...anyways...I guess it was a general comment...and unlike Lax...dravid has much better control of his self...wouldn't drop useless hints..either speak out or keep it to himself....btw can you point to that interview ??

    By Blogger worma, at 06:06  

  • yeah well...Gavaskar is right...but it wasnt the runs...it was the wickets...new batsmen coming in means taking time to get set...am sure had VVS stayed we would've had atleast 100 runs in the session

    By Blogger worma, at 06:08  

  • dadagiri, yeah I'm pretty sure that whatever be there internally, dravid was making a general comment...and anyways...SG is playing a cautious knock...but there's hardly anything ugly about it. From what I saw last evening, he was playing with a perfect straight bat....not the slightest of open face

    By Blogger worma, at 06:10  

  • My all time india XI:
    Gavaskar,Sehwag,Dravid,Vishwanath,Tendulkar,Mankad,Kapil Dev,Kirmani,Nissar,Srinath and Prasanna.Nissar has 25 wickets in 6 tests,Srinath has taen the most wickets amongst fast bowlers after Kapil and Prasanna has a shade under four per match and may be preferred over harbhajan who has a better strike rate but lacks consistency.The all rounder's slot goes to Veenu Mankad.

    By Blogger Nearly Man, at 06:10  

  • Gavaskar is spending quite a bit of time on the art of responding to a partners calls. Does not seem too impressed with the technique of the running in this innings.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:11  

  • and Kumble rather than Prasanna

    By Blogger Nearly Man, at 06:11  

  • All-time run out list in Tests.

    Border 12 self -17 others
    Waigh 4 self -23 others
    Botcott 7 self -13 others
    Sobers 10 self -10 others
    Dravid 7 self -12 others

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:13  

  • Hmmm, continuing on a thread from earlier...maybe we should get Taibu to emigrate to India! Awesome keeper, decent batsman! :-)

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:15  

  • ravi, absolutely. We spend too much of our time looking for hidden meanings. IMO, a waste of time.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:16  

  • Guys,don't run for my profile...I am from Blore

    I sort of guessed that yesterday when u named bharadwaj, david johnson, somasundar, kirmani and GR Vishwanath in the same post :)

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 06:22  

  • dadagiri, trading me for jonty would actually get you an older, slower player ;-) Though, yes, thats who inspired my moniker.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:22  

  • Avinash, Straus is an exception to the case. Not too many people start so well after 19 Tests. He has the added advantage of being an opener (and not a transformed one at that) so he gets more chances.

    By definition, batting at #5 or #6, where SG and VVS have spent a major part of their career, gives you fewer opportunities of converting those 50's into 100's since the tail is with you and the WAY you bat changes and so does the thought process.

    Sometime later I shall give you a comparison of the #5's and #6's of the present and the recent past and show you that VVS and SG actually stack up very, very well. (even for their century count).

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:30  

  • mock turtle..or someone...can you please post the link for the morning interview of Dravid ?

    By Blogger worma, at 06:30  

  • oh ok...did he say something else ? Abt the team strategy etc?

    By Blogger worma, at 06:34  

  • meanwhile Harsha, as usual, describes the Indian innings very well here.

    By Blogger worma, at 06:37  

  • Bhimani made a tongue in cheek remark about a 3-day test match giving the visitors more time to sight-see, and Heath Streak who was with him, promptly said that he didn't think Zimbabwe could beat the Indians in 3 days!! Splendid comeback!!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:38  

  • avinash, okay ... if the point was about them being called great players, then okay by me. An Indian summer here and there does not warrant a long-term greatness tag, I agree.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:41  

  • rajesh, did you know? Carl Hooper is the only person to score 5000 runs, take 100 wickets and take 100 catches in BOTH Tests and ODI's?!!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:43  

  • blwe_torch..sure that applies to VVS also. Not as much to RD and VS. But all the others shud be happy to gather some runs..Karthik, Yuv, Pathan...all of them would get some confidence from these runs

    By Blogger worma, at 06:45  

  • Oooh...Pathan hits a gorgeous straight drive. And Shastri has his stock "quick outfield" comment.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:45  

  • Shastri has also never had a 30 minute session without saying "odd ball stopping" or "odd ball keeping low" or some variation of that.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:46  

  • rajesh, oh absolutely...I think Hooper never translated his skills into what he may have been capable of, except for the brief period when he was captain.

    As captain: 22 Tests 1609 runs 233HS 45.97average 9 (100) 4 (50)

    As non-captain: 80 Tests 4153 runs 178*HS 33.76 average 9 (100) 18 (50)

    I guess that had he been given more responsibility earlier in his career he may have been more focussed and thus translated his more than obvious skills.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:52  

  • ..ok..looks like lunch time meeting decision was to pick up the pace...with both being set now...

    By Blogger worma, at 06:53  

  • Sorry, that should read 4 (100) and 9 (50), as captain.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:53  

  • Pathan looks really good. He has this Akram-ish hit to midwicket, otherwise everything else is straight.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:54  

  • yes jaunty..his midwkt hit is very akram-ish..and now they have a deep midwicket in place for him

    By Blogger worma, at 06:55  

  • I wish I could fast forward to the moment when SG crosses 100. Because after that the shoulder will no doubt loosen and the bowling of Dabengwa will be creamed.

    And even as I type it, he gives Dabengwa the charge and put his bowling in perspective. I hope he keeps this up.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:56  

  • yikes...what a predictable happening..SG seems to have ran out VVS.. I predicted that to a friend of mine...infact, it could have happened in the very first balll when Laxman faced after RD got out. SG did not want to run, as he usually does for other's runs.. Yuvriaj his prized selection failed. SG has moved from 27 to 50 in one whole session and the score ( India has done this kind of thing umpteen times in the past) had crawled up by a mere 50 in one whole session...Only Indian batsmaen and SG can contrive such a happening...

    By Blogger Crick_Love, at 06:57  

  • ravi, 2 boundaries for SG were edges through to third man, from what I recall. (Laxman had more than that, for perspective! :-)

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:58  

  • 109.4 Dabengwa to Ganguly, FOUR, there you go, that's more like the Ganguly we know - comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the delivery and lofts it away to the wide long-off boundary - good clean shot

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 06:59  

  • ravi, see above for a description of the 7th four of Ganguly, gleaned from Cricinfo.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 07:01  

  • and I hope Pathan does not try to be over agressive...he should try and stick to normal clean test cricket...atleast till this partnership is alive

    By Blogger worma, at 07:02  

  • For a guy who hits so sweetly straight down the wicket to spinners, why does SG try these ungainly sweeps?

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 07:03  

  • Okay, guys, its 7am here...will get some sleep and come back post-tea, I think.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 07:03  

  • ravi...I dont think running has been generally bad...just a bit cautious, like their overall approach..thats it. And runouts happen...even with less cautious approaches...

    By Blogger worma, at 07:18  

  • ravi...I was also talking about the general running....their approach has been same throughout the innings...a bit cautious (even now I read that SG denied a possible second in one case, IP was wanting it)...but we see more singles now because the spinners are in operation (with defensive fields, I presume) and also because these batsmen are now set, so Taibu is not attacking (and notice the fours hit by them early on...that might also have spread the field a bit)..but I say all this as a thought of what could be the reasons....am not watching the game.

    And btw...I dont mind any hard feelings on runout or any other SG related matter ravi, and others :-))...go on and discuss what you want, I personally dont get involved, thats all ;-)

    By Blogger worma, at 07:25  

  • will pathan get to 50 first or SG to his 100 guys??

    By Blogger Sid, at 07:28  

  • dadagiri, yes but he(Sri) quit from the wrong one :)

    By Blogger worma, at 07:43  

  • agree with you on that worma. Sri was a much better test bowler than an odi bowler. He wud have been an asset to us in the aus tour.

    By Blogger Sid, at 07:48  

  • hi everyone,
    just woke up. so far looks like its a good day for ravi and worma! :)

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 07:52  

  • two almost run outs... pathan is kinda lucky to still be there.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:01  

  • I think When Tendulkar returns he should replace Ganguly in testsand and dravid in ODIs. we should move to two captains and prepare Sehwag for tests and Yuvaraj for ODIs.Sehwag is like slater plays test at run a ball and bats for long but in ODIs he well bats.

    By Blogger Nearly Man, at 08:03  

  • i think gangs certainly needs a lesson in running basics...but he is certainly batting well - considering he is out of form. pathan certainly seems more accomplished of the two.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:04  

  • 50 well made runs for pathan.
    This guy shud be batting at 7 in odi's.

    By Blogger Sid, at 08:07  

  • Hhhmmm... Ganguly painfully dragging his innings here against ZIM...

    Runs scored = 89
    Balls faced till now = 228
    Opposition = ZIM (#9 in Test ranking)

    If we were playing any of the top 5 teams, we would be calling this kind of an innings as being detrimental to the team's cause, but here Ganguly fan's are keenly awaiting his painful century. Great....

    Ganguly is playing this slow, almost painful for us fans, just to secure his place in the team. Is this team spirit? Is this boosting team's morale? Isn't he supposed to be the best hitter against spinners? So, he can't hit out the unknown ZIM spinners now?

    Ideally, we would be looking to win as early as possible against ZIM, not after tea on the 5th day!! That commanding win would boost the team's morale more than a painfully dragging win. But our His Greatness is more intent on cementng his place rather than doing what is good for the team. So much for team spirit....

    Again, what would we fans like to see more? This painfull and dragging cricket being played or a quick and commanding win over ZIM that would prove that we still are # 3 team in the world??

    By Blogger Unknown, at 08:13  

  • well, gangs is certainly playing within himself. but given that his natural game has shown little results, this manjrekar/arun lal paced innings might be his new forte. maybe he will become a specialist test player after this.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:13  

  • ruchir

    I dont understand. Whats wrong with winning on the 5th day. A win counts the same if its won on 4th day or 5th day.

    By Blogger Sid, at 08:14  

  • Ganguly is just spoiling the team morale by playing with so much respect for Zimbabwean attack. This may result in him etting a century but no way is this gonna help the Indian team. Pathan looks the better batsman of the two.

    And please someone teach Ganguly the basics of running between wickets.

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:16  

  • There goes Pathan....

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:17  

  • definition of irony: arun lal berating the indian team for batting with a defensive frame of mind.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:18  

  • sid: So you say its great to win against Zimbabwe after tea on the 5th day?
    Come on....gimme a break!

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:18  

  • i think ganguly will free his arms now...he doesn't have much faith in the rest of the batsmen...

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:21  

  • I think we should declare as soon as SG gets to 100 or gets out before that....We should save ourselves from the disgrace of being bowled out by Zimbabwe!

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:26  

  • jk...i think kumble should be able to hang around...SG and team wud have that much faith in him...although he not exactly radiating confidence out there :)

    By Blogger worma, at 08:27  

  • rajesh,
    i agree with u partially. knowing ganguly's headstrong self, it must be very humiliating for him to play such a slow innings against one of the weakest bowling attacks in the world. yet, he did control himself, and play a steady long innings knowing that both he and india need the runs. and that is something that sehwag, gambhir, yuvi did not do. and his hundred runs might be the difference between an innings victory and having to bat a second time.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:27  

  • Rajesh: Your logic doesnt seem to be good. Why do you place SG's interests ahead of the team interests?

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:27  

  • Actually, Dadgiri, I was reading the entire blog (didnt wake up at 4 to see SG and VVS playing, too sleepy) from abt 6am, :)

    I just took a loong shower in the hope that I could miss this wonderful landmark (SG's century when it comes later today) but even I was not that lucky.
    By the way, mate, after reading your drooling comments on SG, I dont think I should have anything direct to say to you...

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:28  

  • Ruchir, good point. We need to make a statement against the minnows (like the aussies and the current English team).

    Some may argue that this team is short of confidence (now) and is hence playing slowly, but here is an interesting fact.

    In the last 100 Tests, the average Indian game lasts 344 overs. However, our games against Zimbabwe last 371 overs (The longest). This little statistics tells its own story...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:29  

  • Ganguly is playing as if he is facing Shane Warne and Glen McGrath!!! Disgraceful scoring rate, to say the least.

    This Zimbabwe team deserves to be beaten fair and square by, say, Baroda or Hyderabad Ranji team.

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:31  

  • jk,
    Agree with you to a certain extent on the some of the other guys buckling down too. But couldnt we see it this way? Sehwag has been getting all his runs in this agressive fashion, is it wise for him to change his game? I mean, he doesnt have the greatest technique and has a chance to be out anytime because of this deficiency. But if he gets a few quick runs during this period anyhow, its a good thing for the team. Mind you, I am not saying that he's another Afridi...

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:32  

  • Sheesh!!! look at this scoring pattern . 1 . . . . | 1 . . . . . | . . . . . . | . . . .

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:33  

  • toney, i can't agree more. i was just trying hard to see something good about this gang innings.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:34  

  • 10 overs for 11 runs, 1 four, 1 wicket for Zimbabwe.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 08:35  

  • last 10 overs for 11 runs, hopefully SG after the 100 will make them pay. Looking forward to tomorrow's post-lunch session

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:35  

  • saurabh, what statement ? That we, even when not at the top of our game, are foolish enough to go for bravado and risk (even if its a 10% risk) of falling short..having to draw (or heaven forbid, loose) the game ?

    What exactly do you want the players to do.....all play like sehwag and dravid? Well all of them are in different frame of mind (and personal form) and each should play accordingly (otherwise you end up with a Yuv like case, who should have played more sensibly). Ultimately, despite these individual efforts, I still see(and like) the team strategy of playing a bit on the side of caution, and trying to win it in one innings. No matter how it 'looks'.

    By Blogger worma, at 08:36  

  • I'll be curious to see SG's reaction after he reaches his century. It will giv a good idea of his frame of mind.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 08:36  

  • And shankar, that's when you are 200 ahead!!!

    I think playing cautiously in the first session made sense. But now...

    Does Ganguly not think we have enough on the board for Kumble & co to get Zimbabwe out?

    Will be interesting to see how they play when batting first...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:36  

  • Yikes...its not tea yet. I thought I'd slept long enough!!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 08:37  

  • This is absolute disgrace from "Ban"guly, there is no meaning in what he is trying to achieve here, how much he can stoop down..

    By Blogger Neelan, at 08:38  

  • Last ball before tea, chai paani ho jaaye

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:40  

  • ha ha ha. its tea.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:40  

  • This grim watchfulness is strangely fascinating. SG has been in the '90's for over an hour!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 08:41  

  • 95 runs in 36 overs in the post lunch session. worma - do u really think this was team strategy? :)

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:41  

  • jk..no the team strategy is to play cautiously and not take undue risks. The low number of runs in this session were because of all batsmen slowing down (SG understanably, cause he wants to see what a century looks like ;-)...but not so sure about Pathan and Kumble). But I was talking more about the overall approach of the team.

    By Blogger worma, at 08:43  

  • I remember a lot of talk (from experts)abt RD being stuck in his 80s (abt 45 minutes ona particular score, forgot which one) in his first test at Lords!! And that too about a decade ago when test cricket was not as aggressive as today.
    Today, SG is in his 90s for over an hour. And lots of guys is saying this is a resurrection of his career. I dont really think this is detrimental to INdia's chances of winning but is this how SG wants to portray himself? That for personal milestones, the team's interests can be set aside? I have my sympathies for SG but this, I dont think is the right message for TEAM INDIA.

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:43  

  • toney, is the team interest really being set aside? So what is the team interest, I fail to understand!

    By Blogger worma, at 08:45  

  • sid:

    A win is a win, agree. But a painfull win against ZIM is not the best thing to happen for team india. We are # 3 team in the ranking. It was Ganguly's own dream to be # 1. He shouted this for a long time after coming back from AUS.

    Now, do you think he is doing justice to his own dream by playing like this? And to team India too?

    A slow win against ZIM would actually look bad. Unless we ruthlessly steamroll low ranked team, we will never get the confidence of winning against #1 & 2. Would you, as a fan, believe that we can win against AUS and ENG if we obtain a slow, painfull and dragging win against ZIM??

    That is the difference between a commanding win and a win like this one that Ganguly has planned....

    Just my opinion.....

    By Blogger Unknown, at 08:48  

  • @Worma, Rajesh: When you give this much respect to a Zimbabwean attack which deserves to be flogged by a Ranji team, you are stopping to that level. Ganguly is doing exactly that. He had an opportunity to go into tea with a 100. His 'drop dead' slow batting against this attack will definitely help Indian team's confidence.

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:50  

  • worma, u r right. i don't think india will pay for ganguly's slowness. i hope he reaches his century soon because i am hoping the ganguly of old will re-emerge to feast on these spinners.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 08:50  

  • ruchir

    For ur info...india will get more points this time on winning coz they had a draw with zim the last time.
    And the points dont increase/decrease if its a 4th day or 5th day win

    By Blogger Sid, at 08:51  

  • I meant 'stooping'... typo...

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:51  

  • sid: As I understand, it is taken for granted that we are gonna win. How we win is the issue here.

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 08:53  

  • Dadagiri,
    If you read my earlier post, I said I dont think this is hurting India's interests here. I am taking a break anyhow, cant bother with the post tea session congratulations doing the rounds here...
    And by the way, who is us? Dont try to answer everything, mate. I dont want to make this another anit/pro SG session, hence kept my mouth shut....

    This was the same team which declard with SRT on 194. I have no problems with that, but thats not exactly what we are seeing here. Worma, didnt anyone tell then that was Team India's message to the youngsters? That personal milestones are not as impt as team interests?

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:53  

  • sid:

    I am not thinking about points. I am thinking about mentality of "just" winning against a "commanding" win. If we feel that "just" winning against ZIM is okay and will boost our team's morale to a new level then okay, no problems...

    By Blogger Unknown, at 08:55  

  • ruchir, I think a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since we returned from Australia ? Sure, we are still number three, but atleast the individuals (and ALL of them) are not all at the peak of their game, are they?

    A slow win looks bad, but better than a draw, or a defeat. A slow win also doesnt look as bad if in the end you have to bat only once (which is what the team is trying). Do you want to achieve the confidence of winning against number 1 or 2 just from this series ? Thats NOT POSSIBLE...this team is not yet in a position to take on number 1 or 2 NOW...and if they take the bravado approach (and get an unwanted result) they maye NEVER be in that position.

    We can win against Aus and Eng in near future, if we build on from a safe and comfortable win from here. We anyway cannot win against them right now...had we gone to Eng or Aus instead of Zim.

    The 'team management' has planned the safer approach helpful in the long term to a more jazzy, good looking yet dangerous(for the build up) one.

    Having said this, sure they could have scored 20-30 more runs(with the same safe approach) in this session, and we wouldnt have complained so much. But do those 20-30 runs matter that much in this game?

    By Blogger worma, at 08:55  

  • i dont understand indian junta.....when SG doesnt perform they go for his blood. when he is taking his time to get back to form, they say he is slowoing down.Comon guys, give me a break.If he is taking his time, the result is for the betterment of the team!

    By Blogger Aravind, at 08:56  

  • Another things. I feel that Ganguly fans on this blog look for the "faintest hint" of positive in him and bloat it to till it becomes huge. They just igonre the negatives in him.

    When SRT made slow 241 in AUS, daggers were dug deep into him for batting slow and he was batting against #1 team. Here, Ganguly is doing much much worse against # 9 team and fans are feeling elated by that.

    If this is the Ganguly we want then fine, what else can I say!!!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 08:58  

  • Agreed ruchir

    But my point is if indian bowlers cant get this zim lineup all out within 10 days, then we better stop playing test cricket.

    By Blogger Sid, at 08:58  

  • sorry 2 days, there was a typo

    By Blogger Sid, at 08:59  

  • toney, again, my question was is this approach by the players (and not SG only, all of them right now) really hurting Indian team's interest ? How ? And btw, the message to youngsters and old players right now seems to be that winning is more important than bravado or 'looking good'...while the message at the time of SRT 194 was that winning is more imp that personal milestones. I dont think the team's approach has been decide around SG's milestone...

    By Blogger worma, at 09:00  

  • From an article on Cricinfo by Anand Vasu:

    Winning a Test for the team should theoretically be the most important thing. Sadly, in cricket as in life, things are not always as they should be. Despite scoring 246 - the backbone of an English victory - Boycott was dropped for one Test - for scoring slowly.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:05  

  • this partnership is worth 21 runs from 11 overs and anil, having faced less balls, has scored 14 of them.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 09:07  

  • out.

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 09:09  

  • How much ever people here try to defend SG here, facts are very clear...

    SG can score only against ZIM, BD and Kenya and Namibia...

    Case Close..

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 09:09  

  • Guys, Dravid supposedly said, "He'd take an ugly 100 over a pretty 77". The whole discussion from earlier this day needs to be flipped on its head!

    Ganguly gone. Ay caramba!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:09  

  • Gavin Ewing must be ruing his luck.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:12  

  • Iam a consultant.. gotta think a lot..That's what iam doing there :)

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 09:12  

  • mock, did you set everyone up by flipping Dravid's remark? :-) Naughty!!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:13  

  • HS is putting this attack into perspective, and reaping the rewards of the foundation laid by the previous batsmen.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:14  

  • mock turtle
    SRT 241*
    613 minutes
    436 balls
    33 fours
    0 sixes

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:17  

  • sriram...If u look at first day's thread, i had predicted the exact Zim score :)
    I also predicted that VVS would score big....Got the Indian score wrong though :(

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 09:17  

  • anyone who thinks Ganguly is "back" has got to be the biggest fool I have come across.
    This has been one of the most disgusting days, and appalling days of Test cricket I have witnessed.
    One selfish bastard has dedicated the whole day to himself. There is no opposition, and the pitch is flat.
    Trying days indeed for an indian cricket fans' faith. Our great captain utterly trashes the whole meaning of the word "team" and scores a "great" 100.
    It was great waking up at 4am and watching that heap of dung spend the day getting his 100. Maybe he'll instruct his bowlers to give away the runs so that India can bat again and he can go out and score the winning runs.

    By Blogger Dhruv Deepak, at 09:17  

  • bhajji is making up for his bowling...

    By Blogger Jerry Kalarickal, at 09:19  

  • Match will be over by Tea time tommorow

    By Blogger Kansultant, at 09:21  

  • In that innings:
    50 in 134 mins, off 100 balls, 9x4
    100 in 290 mins, off 212 balls, 16x4
    150 in 446 mins, off 328 balls, 22x4
    200 in 532 mins, off 395 balls, 29x4

    Also, in the same Test match:
    Laxman 50 in 125 mins, off 85 balls, 10x4
    Laxman 100 in 233 mins, off 167 balls, 19x4
    Laxman 150 in 336 mins, off 254 balls, 26x4

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:21  

  • A "bit" of selfish interest? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? IM GOING TO HAVE A BRAIN HEMMORHAGE.
    The piece of scum has spent 254 balls since tea yesterday trying to prove a point.
    And what point is that? Scoring a 100 against a team worse than Bangladesh on the flattest pitch in the world?
    Yayyyyyyyyyy, Ganguly is back! Let's felicitate him once more. Call Gavaskar to gift him with more bottles of champagne!
    The most insulting thing was that he didn't bother to last a ball after he got his 100. He is treating this like a bit of fun. I hope India manage not to win this Test. Then he can fucking get sacked.

    By Blogger Dhruv Deepak, at 09:25  

  • What a fighting innings by SG...roaring back to great form by scoring a fantastic swashbuckling 100 off 261 balls agsinst Zimbabwe who boast of a bowling attack of Dennis Lillee, Malcolm Marshall, Shane Warne and Micheal Holding.

    Hats off to Ganguly on reaching an unbelievable milestone against #1 team in test cricket.

    Yuckkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 09:25  

  • sriram,

    Someone asked for stats on SRT's innings. I am just providing them. What they do with it and what discussion results from it is up to them.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:26  

  • Do we really need this disgrace of getting bowled by Zimbabwe???

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 09:31  

  • and the Indian innings looks perfectly on plan...decleration or allout...as I mentioned yesterday....around 250+ ahead, with 10-15 overs left in the day....thats what I hoped our game plan was....and despite the cautious approach...things seem to be moving along pretty well

    By Blogger worma, at 09:33  

  • Ah yes, miyazaki...I remember that Test very well. Azhar's debut match. India scored 437 for 7 declared in 200 overs, yes.

    The match was marred by rain and destined for a draw at the end of the 2nd day.

    I remember my grandfather calling me and making me sit with him because he said, "Watch this young man, he will be a great player" on the 2nd day when Azhar scored 8 runs!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:34  

  • shankar, in recent time Nz, SL, and even Aus have been bowled out by Zim! IMO there is no such thing as disgrace in cricket...winning and loosing....and different categories of winning and loosing (good, comfortable, close call)

    By Blogger worma, at 09:35  

  • yeah I wonder how long they will throw ravi !...but then Taibu missed a trick...giving the mild spin attack to bhajji when new to crease....anyway Streak on...lets see...I think Mahwire should also come in soon

    By Blogger worma, at 09:37  

  • Did I hear right? The world record for a Test 50 is 24 balls. Bajji is on 37 in 15. Has a shot at it, if that is true!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:39  

  • good one Ravi...exactly my thoughts..after reaching 100 ..out next ball..looked school boyish

    By Blogger Crick_Love, at 09:41  

  • Yes, it is true. If HS can achieve it the feeling of deja will overpower Zinbabwe soon.

    24 balls JH Kallis SA v Zimbabwe at Cape Town 2004-05

    And as I say it 2 dot balls.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:42  

  • ravi nice analogy mate..what can I say...inexperienced in this field (I mean breaking up ;)...but yeah something similar came to my mind...SG has forgotten the 'feel' of a ton, scoring big (sure hes done it in county, ranji, but I dont think he himself takes it seriously)...hope he meets the girlfriend again soon...and marry this time and settle down :-))

    ...back to the game..Mahwire back in attack..righto

    By Blogger worma, at 09:42  

  • So much for that!! Bhajji gone. Oh well, it was tremendous fun while it lasted.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:43  

  • and there goes the wkt.....Taibu would remember for next time...Indian batsmen...new to crease....pace pace pace

    By Blogger worma, at 09:44  

  • 275 runs behind, 198 overs to survive or set India a target.

    If you were Zimbabwe, how would you play?

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:45  

  • Yes, mayur. I hope he does not use that trite expression - play each ball on its merit, when he talks to them.

    I prefer an attacking approach since the Indian team will look to plug runs should they get going quickly, based upon recent precedent worldwide. Once they spread the field the task of survival will be easier.

    Having said that, I believe, as an NBA analyst on ESPN usually say, "It's over!!"

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:52  

  • jgohil: I hope he isn't dropped for next game...no-one can be expected to click in one out of one chance (note he is making a comeback in the team) even against this attack. If they do replace him, I guess it would be the Kaif pressure, not an indictment of Yuv's performance...but I am hoping not

    By Blogger worma, at 09:53  

  • One down, 9 to go.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:54  

  • He has met his "for 1" target...can he make it to 40 without further bleeding, mayur
    ;-)

    This could be quick.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:55  

  • yeah suraj, that would surely be an achievement for them..haven't done it for a while

    By Blogger worma, at 09:55  

  • HM is an exciting batsman to watch. Will he click Ashraful style?

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:56  

  • Yes, Taylor LBW Pathan off the 4th ball. Routine inswinger that he completely missed.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 09:57  

  • yeah suraj they have...but the thing is...to make India bat again, they have to make runs also...not just dig in..and I dont think on this pitch they can survive so long against our spin attack...heck I dont think too many teams can chase 250+ against our spin attack (and add Pathan at the top) on this track...which SG said on first day, has more spin at the start than a normal Indian pitch!!

    By Blogger worma, at 10:00  

  • "he" as is HM?, mayur? Well, I guess instinct is instinct. If the ball is on the pads, the flick comes into lay for a lot of batsmen these days.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:00  

  • worma, I agree with that. Batting for time is always aided if runs are also accumulated. KP's innings was great for England's cause not because he was at the crease but because he took the game away from the Aussies.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:02  

  • Pathan's run-up reminds me of Akram. Zaheer's run-up reminds me of Imran Khan.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:05  

  • 2 down...Kumble takes a simple catch at gully, off Pathan.

    Taibu to the rescue?

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:06  

  • The Indian huddle is back! :-)

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:06  

  • What a bunch of hypocrites we have on this blog.

    First they accuse me of taking out my "personal" vendetta. Accuse me of making personal attacks on other readers. Now what they themselves do? Start getting personal with me. Attacking me again and again. Tempting me with "Where are you hiding?", "Fucking joke"...

    And they expect me to reply to anyone of them!! It is very easy to attack me and try to shut me up. But I don't think that will work. I will keep writing my opinions, whether y'all like them or not. At least, I don't use the kind of language I see written here.

    Like you don't care about me, I don't give a damn about you....

    So, keep enjoying yourself. Keep writing filth and trash. I am sure it is your hidden frustrations with Ganguly that are coming out in my name....

    By Blogger Unknown, at 10:08  

  • Ebrahim...oooh, barely survived there!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:08  

  • suraj, yep bhajji needs to get the feel of being amongst wkts. jaunty..that KP innings was the first time he did played a real important role for the team (other 50s I think were mainly ODI style hits with lost oppurtunity to capitalise)..but what a knock it was...that counter attack on Lee (bowling fast and close to his best) was amazing...imagine a front foot pull off a charged up Lee!!...I hope he does learn to play long innings...he is really exciting to watch

    By Blogger worma, at 10:08  

  • mayur, I guessed that you were following it on cricinfo. My comment to you was just a clarification on my part. (no need to apologize is what I am saying! :-)

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:10  

  • worma, yes..he is exciting to watch. He will fail as often as he succeeds. The key will be how much of a leash the selectors give him. I think if they keep winning the leash will be fairly long (re:Bell) but if they start losing, he will be yanked and replaced.

    Zaheer Khan set up Tuffin BEAUTIFULLY! Kept taking the ball away from the left hander and then brought one back in viciously and uprooted the off-stump. Duffin's career average frops from 58 to 29 in one ball!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:13  

  • Tatentda Taibu was on the field for 209 consecutive overs. Then his batsmen were kind enough to give him a 1.1 over break!!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:17  

  • jaunty I hope its not connected with winning. Sure he first needs to tighten his game, like Sehwag, yet keep it natural. Once he does that, I hope they always let him play natural (just like India, whether winning or loosing, does not over control Sehwag). Ofcourse it depends on his own attitude and consistency. He has a long way to go...but if he does get there, I see him atleast as exicting as Sehwag!

    Meanwhile...I am wondering if bhajji will even get a decent run here !

    By Blogger worma, at 10:17  

  • Sorry, I shortchanged his batsmen...they gave him a 3.5 over break!

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:18  

  • A bouncer is any ball that rises above 5 feet!! :-)

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:19  

  • one more down...Pathan again.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:28  

  • yes, issaicn...on a batting wicket he is swinging away and penetrating defences. And to top it, he himself showed that with some application a score can be made. So I say, give it to the bowler - batsmen get enough awards.

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:32  

  • Oh yes, appreciably more swing than the two of Zimbabwe guys. Moreover they are pitching it up so the ball is in the air a lot longer before pitching so the chance of swing is greater.

    Pathan gets another one as I write this. Bulawayo, doesn't that name mean a "place of slaughter"?

    By Blogger Jaunty Quicksand, at 10:35  

  • Now, this is the crushing win I am talking about. 18/4 in 8 overs....

    Heavens bless Pathan and Khan for making it look so easy....

    By Blogger Unknown, at 10:36  

  • jaunty..yeah pathan is a natural swing bowler...basically a better practitioner of the art than Streak...although he does mess up with white ball..its not just as simple as pitching it up...isn't it
    yep..bulawayo means place of slaughter if I remember correctly :-)

    By Blogger worma, at 10:37  

  • Pathan strikes again
    Heath Streak this time :-)

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 10:37  

  • If we can take top 5 wickets in 8.1 overs, we surely can take the remain 5 in 9.5 overs??? :-)

    By Blogger Shankar Anand, at 10:40  

  • ruchir, but the thing is, not everything just 'falls into right place' from day one of a test match..esp not for a team coming from a long break from test matches...and the crushing win looks crushing because we have 500+ on board instead of 400+ (even if we would have won in that scenario also)

    By Blogger worma, at 10:40  

  • Gee, 21/5??

    By Blogger Toney, at 10:44  

  • prem...sounds like fun ;-)..what was that dinner about?...desi support for the next 'first gentleman' ?

    And the game looks well on target...

    By Blogger worma, at 10:46  

  • Prem....atleast Lax (and I hope SG) have kept the right perspective...Lax acknowledged that the attack was not upto the mark. But Harsha, in his review, did have a point...that for Lax its more of a confidence and rhythm thing...and when he gets it back...opposition doesnt matter...so hopefully he would be able to play the same against better attack also...
    ..yep Pathan was good..he could've gone on to score even bigger

    By Blogger worma, at 10:51  

  • Prem/worma,
    Dont you guys remember Pathan's performance against Pak in the last test series (with the bat)? I remember him struggling against the fast bowlers. It might have been a confidence thing, what with his poor bowling form. Anybody remember that? I think IP requires a lot of work before he can guarantee decent scores

    By Blogger Toney, at 10:55  

  • Whether we like it or not, Ganguly is the captain. That is the fate.

    By Blogger Shyam Prasad, at 10:55  

  • yeah toney that, to me, also looked like a confidence thing. because I also remember his assured innings against Aus earlier. Either ways, lots of scope for improvement, surely. As Prem said, and I disagreed:-), he should be guided in batting. I think we should leave him for a while longer (esp if he already has the batsmen's approach at the crease, thats all we need to keep him on track now, and later on, when he's matured a bit more as a bowler, take on his batting also). Well...it depends on how much of his energy can we afford to divert away from his bowling (which itself has plenty of scope for improvement)

    By Blogger worma, at 11:00  

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