Glad to see that Steve Waugh admits Indian team is much more than one man, Sachin Tendulkar. No offense to the Supremo, but, we have decent scores in spite of his recent loss of form in test matches. Kudos to Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly.
I personally think Aussies bowling is overrated with the absence of McGrath and Warne. I don't think they have enough talent to get Indian team out two times, unless the pitch is bad.
With some improvements in the fielding (read catching) and discipline in batting and bowling, this Indian team can turn this series an unpleasant surprise to Waugh. Good luck.
I feel Ponting is highly over-rated as a batsman. I don't think I have seen any other top-rated genuine batsmen getting beaten as many times as Ponting when he comes to the batting crease afresh! He is too tentative with his footwork when his innings gets underway. That's precisely the reason why he couldn't open his account in the 2nd innings of the Adelaide 2nd Test even after facing 15-16 balls which finally led to his downfall. & this happened inspite of the fact that he had a double century tucked under his belt in the previous innings which definitely would have acted as a catalyst as far his confidence is concerned but the fact is he is never confident when he just comes out to bat. In fact, he should consider himself lucky to score 242 when an Irfan LBW appeal, which was plumb, was negated! He was batting on zero then. But once he gets his eyes in, he can be a very dangerous player. He is capable of murdering any attack which includes spin bowlers also which, at one point of time, was his Achilles' heel (remember the 2001 series when Bhajji got him out 5 times including 2-3 first ball ducks, if my memory serves me right). So just nip him in the bud (easier said than done!)
Thanks Steve for all those great years of competitive cricket. While the story goes that Australia would choose 4 pacemen for Melbourne, Brad Williams, Brett Lee, Bichel and possibly one of Nicholson/Tait/Bracken, the likelihood is that Australia will bat first(remembering Dean Headley) is high. India missed out on the opportunity to bring in Bangar and operate with a full seam combo along with Kumble. Looks like Ganguly may bowl a few overs in Melbourne. So, it will really be about how little width the Indian Seamers give Australia in the first morning and how good Zaheer/Nehra will be exploiting seam conditions and how good the slip catching is. Waugh has always performed great at Melbourne, but the question is whether Zaheer can show that he is in the Wasim Akram class(Akram had 10 wickets in Melbourne). Bruce Reid's advice is key as he has two 10 wicket hauls in Melbourne. If India can restrict Australia to under 350 in the first innings, and then close in on that figure, the stage will be set for a 300 or so in the fourth innings. More than Brett Lee, Bracken and Matt Nicholson will be dangerous. Any team that gains a 100 + first innings lead tends to win.
u had ur GREAT days. u have gracefully stepped out and that's good. u dont deserve a place in the current aussie XI as a batsman or bowler.
yes, like in india, indians will win 2-1. or may be 2-0 or 3-0. these r the only likely options except for an 1-2 indian defeat (unlikely-with ur bowling reserves) or a 1-1 draw, to help u exit gracefully.
isn't it?
please spend more time at udayan, barracpore-we will love that & appreciate u even more for that.
This person is fake and is not willing to accept that indians had outstated them in all parts. And in last 3 dyas game, they had dominated the paly and the aussies are not used to see this type of game. Also u think that each and every player from Indian side had contributed in the match. Just nehra had not done anything otherwise all 10 players had contributed to the glorious victory. and this Aus Captain is not a true sportsman. He should give credit to india in full and should opt himself out from the remaining test series. Unfortunately Defeating india anywhere under his belt is not his cupt of tea and his dream will remain as a dream forever in his life and this will be like a Black Patch on this captaincy graph.
