God help me - the Test Cricket thread

[Professer E]

Indian over rate is apalling, but that's OK,  well pressure the other side to make them up down the track.

More dirty gamesmanship from the sweet,  innocent Indians.

[DJC]

Indian over rate is apalling, but that's OK,  well pressure the other side to make them up down the track.

More dirty gamesmanship from the sweet,  innocent Indians.

Only three overs short for the day.  That must be right up there with the best for the series.

Dirk Nannes said during the Second Test that the Australian batsmen could find ways to get out when there was absolutely no reason to do so.  With the exception of Warner, who was beaten by a ball that was far too good for his current form, our batsmen seemed to do just that today. 

[Professer E]

Average day at best versus a group of net bowlers,  saved again by a good partnership at the end from Paine - that bloke who apparently can't bat.  Too many soft dismissals - Harris needs a kick in the ar$e for a particularly putrid shot.

[Swan43]

Warner is hopeless.  Simply doesn't learn.
His massive f****g ego got him picked.  He ain't fit,  he has zero form and he's only playing becayse HE wanted to.  Time to F him off.  As stated above..... The architect of the cheat and we need to leave him behind.

Harris gave us exactly what I expected.....little.

Errmm, no, he'd do all he could to convince the selectors he could do the job as that's what's expected. To do less puts commitment into question. In Australia, his average is huge (OS not so, and he shouldn't ever have been allowed a passport for Tests after the first few. But that's another issue. This is not his doing, it's recidivist 'brains trust' and admin doing. They picked him when underdone and he's struggled since. (But who are the options after Puc, who looks like another rare accidental Test player?) We don't create openers and previously Warner was the last one to have formed, however artificially. 20-20 and the like have come home to roost. We should all get used to it and stop blaming the victims and sacrificial, if sometimes aggressive, lambs.

[LP]

Heading for a draw I suspect.

Our batting isn't perhaps good enough to win a test, even with the weakened Indian bowling line up.

Although it remains a possibility the bowling will make up for it, but if we keep dropping catches when we get in the field it'll be a draw.

[capcom]

They bat last .. today means a lot

[ElwoodBlues1]

They bat last .. today means a lot

Think same, that track isnt the best and will break up on the last day and their batting runs out at Pant at 6.
Their bowling ran out of steam last evening with Saani injured and I think Paine and Green can push vs their junior burger attack which lacks venom.
Reckon we will win easy and thats how it should be given the amount of outs they have....

[Professer E]

Our batting has been very,  very sloppy and lazy against a third string attack.  I expect India to make a bazillion on this deck.

Warner has always been a questionable opening proposition with his hard handed technique.  He has gotten away with it for a long time on our decks where he can just throw his hands at it through the line with lightning bat speed,  but if it moves he's over committed and can't adjust.    Now that he's 33 and not picking it up as fast he's not doing it here either.... And picking him for OS tours like the Ashes 2022 is a big risk.  Yes,  he's been entertaining but the end is coming fast.  He has been done a major disservice by the ACB because you can't find form at test level,  you find it playing long form. Without four day games leading in how did he expect to fare ?

Another bloke under the pump is Starc.  His lead in was average and his test series underwhelming.  Again,  why is he an automatic selection?  Surely it's not just because he's from NSW?

[LP]

This circus just goes to show how over-rated the concept of elite is, and how flawed Langer's welded on approach is!

I mentioned awhile back when talking about AFL and player wages, you could sack all 760 players and most of the coaches and replace them from the 10000 players wanting a crack at the gig, and by the end of the following season you would not even notice a difference!

Because despite what is claimed by various experts, media and the players themselves it is not the players that make the sport elite, it's the professional ethics, tactics and fulltime focus that make high level team sport elite. AFL is a good example because it's mired in copycat tactics, and whenever a group break the mold they are almost unbeatable.

Langer will tell you nobody can compete with the top level test players, and as such they deserve more of a chance to retain a spot, except of course some B-Grade opposition!

Also, today is the difference between a Taylor, Finch or Maxwell type player captaining, and someone like a Paine or Smith. The plans have failed, and there is clearly no plan B from Paine and Smith or his crew, they can't innovate or invent things as they go!

India lose a wicket from fatigue, the media talk up our blokes like they are genius. Of course if they bowl them out now all will be forgiven, but it's too late!

[ElwoodBlues1]

Australia and Langar didn't do much homework on Washington Sol Patts and his big hitting mate and paid the price.
Bowlers who can bat are not tailenders and you just can't expect them to roll over like No 11's and hand you their wicket. Ponting seemed to know plenty about them via his IPL coaching but our brains trust didn't have a clue and our bowlers just trundled in without a plan for most of the partnership.
Can still win but we make it hard for ourselves and need to bowl better in the second innings..