.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Sight Screen

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Open thread of Ind-NZ FINAL

Hi guys, so here is the open thread for the big game. Unfortunately, I wont be there for most of the game, darned unavoidable meetings...but hopefully Prem would come in, as he had said last time.

So, about the game ? Our dear L P Sahi from Telegraph says, as he heard from his 'reliable sources', that India is looking to bat first to send a strong signal to Nz and Bond. And no changes in batting order. Lets hope we win the toss, I also want to see us bat first.

posted by worma at 2:26 AM

159 Comments:

  • i think it's down to Bond. A guy who has taken 22 Aussie wickets in 6 matches has to be special...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 02:39  

  • And this is the score of some of the best batsmen in the world when he got them out:

    G Kirsten 0
    RT Ponting 0
    SR Tendulkar 0
    V Sehwag 0
    Yousuf Youhana 0
    ME Waugh 1
    ML Hayden 1
    V Sehwag 1
    DR Martyn 2
    G Kirsten 2
    IJ Harvey 2
    SC Ganguly 3
    R Dravid 5
    SC Ganguly 5
    MS Atapattu 6
    RT Ponting 6
    RT Ponting 8
    M Kaif 9
    SR Waugh 9
    RT Ponting 11
    IJ Harvey 12
    AC Gilchrist 14
    V Sehwag 15
    AC Gilchrist 18
    AC Gilchrist 21
    GC Smith 23
    MG Bevan 27
    DR Martyn 31
    RT Ponting 37
    RT Ponting 45
    JH Kallis 65
    DR Martyn 73

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 02:50  

  • further stats on Bond:

    Out of his 61 wickets, 35 have been before the batsman has scored 10 (11 ducks) and a further 10 before the batsman has scored 20!

    in fact, only 7 of his wickets have come when the batsman has scored more than 50.

    Pretty impressive...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 02:53  

  • and he has taken 38 wickets in the 16 matches that New Zealand have won with him in the Team...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 02:55  

  • yeah saurabh...lets hope he is not in full flow today...because if he is, then hardly matters who the batsmen is

    By Blogger worma, at 03:02  

  • ..another problem is I've not yet seen Bond being taken apart..I know he's played so less...but still. Although Sehwag did score a couple of hundreds in Nz, I think Bond played in atleast one of those games?

    By Blogger worma, at 03:04  

  • india win, bat first !

    By Blogger worma, at 03:07  

  • good morning Prem..

    India batting first.. mmm.. reminds me of the results int he disasterous 2002-03 tour of NZ.. there the mantra was: win toss, insert the opp. in.. and let the swinging ball of Bond, Tuffey, Oram and Andre
    do the damage

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:13  

  • Worma, he gave away runs ar 4.57, 3.40, 3.33, 2,88 & 2.11 against India.

    Actually only 6 times out of 30 has he gone for more then 5 an over. But he took 9 wickets in those 6 games. His worst performance was against South Africa in the world cup when he went for 73 in 10 (but NZ won the game).

    What is frightening about the guy is his ability to strike Early. He takes most of his wickets in his first spell.

    Now only if India can see off his first spell...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:13  

  • Harare weather: High:86 Low: 56. Sunrise: 6AM. 35% humidity; sunny and warm

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:20  

  • Extra batsman with Bhajji as super-sub.. so lucky for us.. cairns supersub for them.. not a bad toss to lose, as far as supersub is concerned

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:22  

  • k-slice...fan or not, I agree with what Prem said....I dont think the result of this final...or the runs he makes here would be considered. Although if he does fail in all test innings (if he gets a chance) then that would hold against him...the decision whether its a temp form loss...that decision may be altered because of his test run

    ravi..nope boss...not even that long...off in 30 mins :(

    By Blogger worma, at 03:23  

  • jai this time captain was selected for a series (after a long time this happened) because the selectors gave the reason of they not being there for long term (isnt there new board coming in, in Sept?) therefore they cannot (or rather, would not!) chose long term

    By Blogger worma, at 03:25  

  • I think the Kiwi's will use Bond in the first spell and then get in Cairns. Like I said, Bond is a menace in his first spell, but somehow not as effective in his second...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:27  

  • k-slice..right dude :-)

    yeda...I knew this was coming when I said 30 mins :-)...actually I was expecting a SG joke there :-)

    By Blogger worma, at 03:27  

  • or maybe 7 overs in the first spell and then another 3 around the 30th over and then replace him...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:27  

  • Prem, now the obvious strategy looks like seeing off Bond.. If Sehwag thinks, thats not my style.. i would rather destabilize him by sending a few to the fence..?

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:28  

  • saurabh, I dont think Cairns is supresub as an allrounder...as a batsmen

    By Blogger worma, at 03:28  

  • rieman1, i agree with you in part, but given that they probably only have 20 odd players playing cricket at any given point in time in that entire country, they do pretty well :-)

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:29  

  • did he not bowl in the previous game? sorry for my lack of knowledge as I have been only following the games on this blog....

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:31  

  • Sehwag trying to attack from first ball.. Prem, seems Sehwag has his own plans.. waht say?

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:31  

  • yeda me too :)

    By Blogger worma, at 03:32  

  • Bond is making Sehwag realize that its different ball game altogether.. attacking him at different angles

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:33  

  • saurabh, dont rem last match...but isnt he injured (and was declared he wouldnt take part in the match)..so was just guessing that if he brought back from injury..most be to bat only

    By Blogger worma, at 03:33  

  • FOUR>. off no ball.. still one more ball left in the first over 5/0

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:34  

  • First over of Bond seen off.. No damage.. 10% job done.. :-)

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:34  

  • the problem is, SCG, fromt he other end, will look forward to surviving the first 10 overs...which means that india would be more happy with 30/0 rather than 55/2.. let us see

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:37  

  • Ganguly is watching the ball VERY VERY CAREFULLY.. 2nd over was maiden.. 6 dot balls for each batsmen so far..

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:38  

  • prem: I wonder if that kind of stance would be good against Bond .. he tends to bowl more in-coming balls (cutters and swings). As you pointed out earlier, more orthodox stance and straight bat are in order.
    - Shekhar

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 03:38  

  • actually 30/0 is not bad at end of 10 overs, given the seaming ball and depths to which our batters can possibly descend

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:38  

  • one more FOUR.. slashes hard at Bond .. 9/0

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:39  

  • sehwag has taken a single.. NOW our captain courageous has to survive 4 balls from Bond.. guaranteed to be dot balls..

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:39  

  • Prem, thats a very interesting observation... second option is sehwag hits bond out of attack :)

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:39  

  • SG would like to settle in against other bowlers so that he can play Bond better. Or would he play Bond ?
    - Shekhar

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 03:39  

  • I wish the comms would stop about the 10k runs that Ganguly has. They brandish it like it's some defensive shield.

    By Blogger V, at 03:40  

  • survived 1st ball....... *SIGH*

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:40  

  • SG *actually* played a Bond ball with straight bat ..
    - Shekhar

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 03:41  

  • 2nd Bond over.. No damage yet.. 20% job done..

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:42  

  • Agree Prem, Bond has one of the best bowling actions in cricket today. And the fact that he can bowl fast does help as well.

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:42  

  • actually SG has been playing OK, its just that when you don't have scores behind you nothing seems to work... Hopefully he'll make some today

    Prem, do you agree with making dravid the skipper in absence of SG, or should we groom someone like Sehwag

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:42  

  • Why is VS taking singles ? That should be SG's job...

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 03:44  

  • Prem, I agree with that. Selectors need to make up their mind... if they think SG can carry the team thru the world cup then persist with him....

    if there is any doubt they should look at long term solution.

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:47  

  • was that swing for Bond...that first ball ??

    By Blogger worma, at 03:48  

  • coolguy'oc, thats because Arun Lal is feeling good and positive about SG too

    By Blogger Toney, at 03:48  

  • ravi shastri makes an interesting comment... we have been losing finals because none of our batters are giving us hundreds.... someone needs to take up the responsibility for big occassions

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:49  

  • yeah Prem..I was hoping that they would take Bond front on

    By Blogger worma, at 03:51  

  • prem, if you heard, Shastri and Lal seem to suggest that SG is staying on the back foot which is a good thing. Cant understand their reasoning though.
    Are we giving too much respect to Bond by the way?

    By Blogger Toney, at 03:51  

  • Ganguly should just focus on giving Sehwag the strike... rather than try any heroics.

    By Blogger Arjun Swarup, at 03:51  

  • What is SG trying to do ?
    I mean I am not suggesting him anything ( heeding Yeda_Yakub's advice) .. just trying to understand ..

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 03:52  

  • Even a few big hits against him....spoil his start..would have been good

    By Blogger worma, at 03:52  

  • Yes raghu, aravinda showed real guts.... for me it was aravinda desilva both in semi final and then in the finals who shouldered the big match burden.... jayasuriya gave the early impetus and made them believe they could do it

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:53  

  • yeda...on this pitch not all his balls are dangerous enough to be seen off

    By Blogger worma, at 03:54  

  • KM is definitely benefiting from Bonda at the other end ;)

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:55  

  • Prem: If Ganguly isnt in any sort of form, why is he opening? Wouldnt he better placed to play himself back into form if he came in against the lesser bowlers, on a good platform on a good batting track?

    By Blogger Arjun Swarup, at 03:55  

  • prem...i would have thought, even with their pre plans, these two are experienced enough the judge the pitch and alter accordingly ?...

    By Blogger worma, at 03:55  

  • this is looking good already for india. see bond out with a decent run rate and sehwag still in.... with the right super sub, and a long long batting line up with dhoni etc. waiting, we could make 300 here.

    By Blogger S, at 03:55  

  • maiden ? maiden ?? maiden ???

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 03:56  

  • At this rate SG and VS will see off even Zimbwabwe ..

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 03:56  

  • yeda_yakub, seeing off is one thing, not scoring another...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:57  

  • SCG is absolutely clueless against the new ball bowlers.. 1 run of 22 balls

    By Blogger Raju, at 03:57  

  • TIME FOR GANGULY TO BE SACKED.

    By Blogger S, at 03:57  

  • prem, eagerly awaiting your "dot-ball" stats :-)

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 03:58  

  • At this rate, India will be 80 for no loss at lunch. As Sunil Gavaskar used to say, give the first session to the bowler and the next two sessions will be yours!!
    The way AL and Shastri are talking up Bond, seems like he's the first bowler who broke the 140kmh mark

    By Blogger Toney, at 03:58  

  • SG finally gets *2* :)

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:58  

  • yeah thats what I thought....there was talk of batting first to show positive signals etc....what the heck....bat first to play maidens...thats not positive signals at all :-)

    By Blogger worma, at 03:58  

  • and somehow, I have always felt that these experience players are always able to judge the pitch, even if we sitting back are mistaken....hardly see such pre-determined effort to be bogged down

    By Blogger worma, at 03:59  

  • off late ganguly seems to be preferring the leg side

    By Blogger gaurav, at 03:59  

  • 44 balls, 3 four balls, 4 singles, 1 two ball, and 36 Dot balls...

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 04:00  

  • ok Prem...here comes the SA shot :)

    By Blogger worma, at 04:00  

  • and another one

    By Blogger worma, at 04:01  

  • one more from SG, i spoke too soon

    By Blogger gaurav, at 04:01  

  • prem.. it is only to be expected from ganguly against bond - atleast initially when he is under pressure to perform. I think sehwag should go for it.

    By Blogger V, at 04:01  

  • if sehwag takes bond to the cleaners a few balls - then ganguly will probably be a bit more confident as well with bond. in any case he seems to be taking a liking to mills.

    By Blogger V, at 04:02  

  • wow this was a good shot from SG

    By Blogger gaurav, at 04:03  

  • SCG probably heard us
    :-)

    By Blogger Raju, at 04:03  

  • SG now overtakes VS in terms of runs scored

    By Blogger gaurav, at 04:04  

  • gp: Looks like slow connection to Harare ..

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 04:04  

  • well bowled, Bond, that shopuld wake him up.

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:05  

  • Is there any kind of bounce on the pitch ?
    Is VS looking more comfortable now ?

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 04:05  

  • SG gets one bang on the helmet

    By Blogger gaurav, at 04:06  

  • This hit on the helmet is going make the difference here. If ganguly shakes this off and plays the next few short balls well then he would have conquered his demons for today.

    By Blogger V, at 04:06  

  • don't do anything stupid against Bond now....

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 04:06  

  • I think a couple more times down the track shouldnt hurt. It'll upset the length of Mills as well as the rest to come, will get them thinkining at least.

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:08  

  • SG plays the pull!!1 Pulled it off :)

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:09  

  • Phew ! Saw off Mills ..:-)

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 04:11  

  • I have not yet seen any team having to use the powerplays strategically.....

    probably needs better teams in competition to see extra thrill thru the new rules...

    By Blogger gaurav, at 04:13  

  • woohoo Oram goes for 4 ..

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 04:14  

  • Has SF taken Powerplay now ?

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 04:14  

  • Avinash, the Kiwis are a one-man attack.

    Should be easy from here on....

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 04:15  

  • Good start for Oram!! 12 off over 1.

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:15  

  • raghu:

    Umpire probably thought it hit the arm, not the glove... hence leg-bye. (ofcourse ump was wrong)

    By Blogger Unknown, at 04:18  

  • Why did Bond go off ? Scared that SG will hit him ?

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 04:18  

  • Seems Styris is getting some swing.

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:20  

  • Has SF opted for powerplay ?

    By Blogger Shekhar Kale, at 04:23  

  • Hope Indians are not "careful" against Vettori the way they were careful against Bond. Keep rotating the strike at least then

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:24  

  • One thought...

    Ganguly has not batted past 10 overs for a long time. What if he gets tired after another 10 overs? Will he be allowed a runner because he is tired? I guess he can use lack of current experience as an excuse!!!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 04:26  

  • out to a bad ball

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:27  

  • howzzat:

    I guess Ganguly heard me...

    By Blogger Unknown, at 04:29  

  • howzzatt, can we take it back if the answer is no?

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:30  

  • Wonder what a good score on this is!

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:35  

  • Power play 3, Hmmm

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:37  

  • howzzat, if VS gets out anytime uin the next 3 overs, none of us would be blaming him :) and you can be the official "jinxer"

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:38  

  • looks like Prem's off to sleep

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:47  

  • I heard that there was some computer whiz dude who goes around with the team these days so that they can review their footage etc etc. I wonder if in the same spirit they might charge this fellow with the responsibility to cull all the wisdom that is happening on the net right now (for instance Prem's suggestion about who needs to come in next) and then present it to the think tank for consideration among the various options?

    Teams ought to grab on the whatever small advantages they can gain i feel.

    By Blogger V, at 04:50  

  • first 50 in 15 matches for VS and its come in good time

    By Blogger Toney, at 04:51  

  • Is it commentary through the internet or is Harsha Bhogle coming on a bit too loud? His use of the word beauutiful especially...

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:00  

  • ze rambler, MK and VS are doing a very good job, we'll see what they do.

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:04  

  • Kaif does bat like azhar a bit though.

    By Blogger V, at 05:06  

  • Anny guesses when Bond will come back into the attack?

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:08  

  • howzzat, youu are the man!! VS is out- second time today for you right?

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:15  

  • dravid might not be a completely bad choice now - if he can come out and play positively.

    By Blogger V, at 05:16  

  • geez. prem - you are god.

    By Blogger V, at 05:17  

  • armer??

    By Blogger V, at 05:19  

  • In response to Shastri's comment: why should kaif change his tactics now that india lost a couple of wickets? he hasnt been playing dangerously or anything.

    By Blogger V, at 05:20  

  • ze rambler, for that, he has to play past the opening bowlers and for a reasonable length of time. There's no use brining up "Once upon a time" possibilities, thats what I meant to say. Sure, it would be nice to have SG in good nick face Vettori, it would also be nice if we SRT never injured his elbow and many other things...

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:25  

  • abhay,
    couple of wickets in an over + tight bolwing by Vettori

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:38  

  • and now Mills is gifted with a wicket, wonderful

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:47  

  • Looks like Rao didnt have any answers to a Bond over.

    By Blogger Toney, at 05:58  

  • I'd go for Dhoni, Pathan, Agarkar, Yadav.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:01  

  • even steering to the 3rd, he doesnt seem to be connecting. So, maybe he's practising the shot so that he can be perfect by the endof the 47th oover

    By Blogger Toney, at 06:05  

  • Oh my God, Rao hits a six. Talking abt eating my words!!

    By Blogger Toney, at 06:06  

  • Rao suddenly growing some balls :)

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:07  

  • yacrik, if Nehra bowls 10 overs, HS (his sub) cannot bowl any more. HS will come on for someone else

    By Blogger Toney, at 06:07  

  • thankfully, Rao just wastes 31 balls (5 overs). Better than prolonging his stay

    By Blogger Toney, at 06:08  

  • Goodbye Rao, see you again in 2 years time in test matches.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:09  

  • Kaif seems to have lost his timing...last few overs he hasn't quite middled it.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:11  

  • Kaif really needs to get going...hit out or get out at this stage. We still have Pathan, Yadav, Agarkar.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:28  

  • Very poor decision by the umpire.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:36  

  • There is no TV replay for LBW's in The Ashes...they are thinking about it for the Super Series.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:37  

  • Catching practise going on here.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:38  

  • I'd drop Kaif for the next match for disciplanary reasons..this is awful batting.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:41  

  • if the captain or the selectors talk about how many collective runs the team has one more time i am going to have the terrible urge to throw rocks at the tv.

    By Blogger V, at 06:43  

  • Was it some kind of ploy to not play shots till the 45th over ? We just wasted 10 overs.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:45  

  • Bond looks winded...maybe some injury concern. He is surely not bowling at his best.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:50  

  • abhay, what exactly is playing for oneself?

    By Blogger Toney, at 06:51  

  • Nice to know that you give lots of value to everything that Hayden says. ANyhow, just curious, thats all

    By Blogger Toney, at 06:54  

  • 6+ runs this over and 6 next without losing wicket is all what we need. then go for broke in the last one.

    By Blogger V, at 06:56  

  • Pathan should be batting at #7...he is better than Agarkar & Yadav.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 06:56  

  • i think yadav is going to be key today. bowling wise.

    By Blogger V, at 06:57  

  • Bond twisting his ankle on his follow through...hopefully its not too bad. Meanwhile Oram completing his over.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 07:02  

  • prem... wake up :)

    By Blogger V, at 07:03  

  • abhay, you said you used to play for your state, I probably gave you more than what is due. Why should that be "senti"?
    Anyhow, hope India gets through 50 overs

    By Blogger Toney, at 07:04  

  • idiot

    By Blogger V, at 07:06  

  • Nehra is stupidity personified...Kaif told him to just touch and go and he goes for wild swing to fine leg.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 07:07  

  • if for nothing but to give kaif a chance for a century :(

    By Blogger V, at 07:07  

  • if you understand, I said I over-estimated you. Cant understand you taking it as a complement, so I over-estimated you on several counts. My bad... :)

    Anyhow, Indians all out, hope the bowlers start well, 276 is not such a bad score, if a couple of early wickets come by

    By Blogger Toney, at 07:08  

  • i think nehra has bowling talent and nothing else. no brains, no sense.

    By Blogger V, at 07:08  

  • I was just abt to remark on Pathan applying himself when he didnt do a great job either. Hope this doesnt cost us in the end.
    What was the logic in playing Nehra than HS when the aim was to bat first? Or was it insurance if Fleming put India in first?

    By Blogger Toney, at 07:11  

  • Once again, my bad :). To recap, I thought, since you played for a state team (which team,I wonder), you would have some cricketing sense in you not to dub every player selfish when things dont go to your liking. But I was wrong in judging you too soon
    Secondly, I thought you had some common sense. Wrong on that too. After all, I wouldnt believe an Aussie, especially when he comments on the opposition during a live series. But you know better again.
    Finally, the third one. Happy?

    By Blogger Toney, at 07:19  

  • one word for nehra = mule

    By Blogger V, at 07:33  

  • wow, two dot balls in a row

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:21  

  • If it is not Zaheer, then Pathan or Nehra or Agarkar or ....for the Finals

    Very consistent these guys are, hats off to them

    By Blogger Neelan, at 08:25  

  • Relax guys, India has never lost to New Zealand after scoring 265+

    Me and my stupid stats :-)

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:27  

  • But saurabh., India has lost after scoring 264, right? And there's always a first time.

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:36  

  • Gavaskar has to mention SRT even when praising Fleming's straight drive....
    By the way, any predictions for the match from here on? Do you think they coukd win this in under 40 overs?

    By Blogger Toney, at 08:45  

  • I think NZ is looking to get the bonus point. ;)

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 08:46  

  • Yes Toney, we lost after scoring 264, hence I picked up 265 to prove my point :-)

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 08:57  

  • and we haven't lost in a finals after scoring more then 274 :-)

    By Blogger Saurabh Wahi, at 09:01  

  • Sehwag needs to shave his head...he has a bald patch right in front. With his curly hair he can't even do a comb-over.

    By Blogger ClannZú, at 09:05  

Post a Comment

<< Home