Making a match(-worma)

So after Kumble's domination at Delhi, Bhajji also came to the party...thus making atleast our bowling attack almost ready for the tougher challenge in the season.

Not so about the batting though. The top order failed again...and although RD's absence is a factor, bigger still is the fact that the opening partnership is not going anywhere, something which was the foundation of all our peak performances in the last 3 test seasons. Sehwag is now officially 'out-of-form' in test matches (I'll post a list of his series-by-series run in tests later) and so is Gambhir. He probably blew his last chance(for a while atleast) and now Jaffer is sure to pair up with Veeru in first test against Pak. If not, then his selection into this squad was an even bigger selection goof-up than it has been credited so far!

And Kaif is not doing his chances any good either, although its a bit harsh to expect someone, out in the cold from tests for a while, to come in and perform right away. But all in all, the batting is still shaky, and time to get it in tune for facing the confident Pak attack is running out fast.

While in the other hemisphere SA made a match of the Aus march towards victory at WACA. With 5 wkts in hand, and 10 overs to go(as I write this) it does look like the series would be wide open going into the next match. SA might not be as easy a roll-over opponent as most would have thought. Meanwhile, something striking about the match has been ineffective showing from McGrath. Saurabh Wahi, a regular here as most of you would know, is of the opinion that there's an axe hanging on his head...with his less than impressive run since the Lords spectacle (22 wkts at 65), and with CA looking to blood replacements well ahead of WC07 and Ashes 07.