Summer of 16/17

[light]

Huge result and that will do wonders for our confidence heading into the decider. That is almost as good as a win in my books considering our position at the end of day 4.

S Marsh just played his way into the next test and Handscomb answered a fair few questions too with a composed knock.

Only change for the fourth test should be Bird in for Lyon. As mentioned in my earlier post we are playing at altitude so there should be abit more on offer for the quicks.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Agreed on all counts, Light. The boys just dug in, both yesterday and today. Hats off to them.

 

[barbarian]

How good is this series?!

Can't wait for the next test. So much on the line, so many interesting sub-plots. I wouldn't make any changes to be honest, these guys have all performed incredibly well.
.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

It's a ripper isn't it. One of the best test series in recent memory and certainly a lot closer than anybody thought it would be.

 

[The torpedo]

I actually enjoyed a blockathon.

QH will be seething after watching SMarsh

 

[Strewthcobber]

SMarsh has now faced more than 200 deliveries in 5 out of 6 tests he's played in Asia

 

[No4918]

SMarsh has now faced more than 200 deliveries in 5 out of 6 tests he's played in Asia

I'm going to pretend I didn't read that. But yes, makes more sense to drop Warner at this stage.

 

[light]

I actually enjoyed a blockathon.

QH will be seething after watching SMarsh

Still hasn't surfaced but I imagine he will be back once S Marsh posts a low score again.

 

[Strewthcobber]

4th test pitch. Either a road, or raging turner or seamers paradise or something in between

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

So all the bases covered then ;-)

 

[Strewthcobber]

So all the bases covered then ;-)

Nobody knows anything!

 

[Braveheart81]

Outstanding first session for the Aussies. Smith again looking brilliant.

India paying dearly for dropping Warner on the first ball of the match.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

What a session first up from the boys. Smudge is just dominating at the moment. Need to kick on here though fellas and don't throw your wickets away.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

FFS, how do we go from 1 down at lunch to 5 down in an hour? Now we're going to be scrambling to make 300. All that good work thrown away.

 

[light]

No secret that our middle order is extremely vulnerable to collapsing for no reason. Unlike other times though I think there were a few forgivable dismissals. Renshaw got a jaffa early and Maxwell's delivery was almost unplayable. As always though I think we need to see both teams bat before judging this pitch.

Personally, I feel as if we are probably below par given the state of the pitch but 300 is competitive. The key is going to be striking early with the new ball and being clinical in the field. This pitch will offer enough chances with variable bounce so we can't afford to make mistakes. Probably won't see much spin until days 4 and 5 which makes the new ball even more important.

Credit must go to Wade for saving our bacon and showing fight with the tail. That was his first fifty in 14 innings (last 50 in test cricket was 4 years ago) so it was time to stand up with the bat.

Not enough superlatives for Steve Smith but safe to say he's compiling a record that is truly remarkable.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

How's this for a catch?
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/spo...ange-catch-send-south-african-skipper-packing

 

[Strewthcobber]

Lyon with perhaps the most important session of his career. 4 wickets and Australia might even have their nose in front.

Couple of dropped catches taken and we'd have been firm favourites.

Great day's cricket

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Could this series get much better? India in front for mine right now, because I think they'll bowl pretty well in the second dig and put us under immense pressure. The boys have shown tremendous fight though, so fingers crossed.

 

[Teh Other Dave]

Such an evenly poised test. Cummins looked dangerous, but Lyon was so effective. We've removed the danger men, but will India's tail dig in Pujara style?

I have NFI what this pitch is going to do - the cracks may well open up, but will we lose bounce? Will K Yadav rip them into the footmarks like SK Warne? Will Smith be expected to bring home the bacon again? Will Warner ever look comfortable on a subcontinent pitch? Can Handscombe and Renshaw make starts? Did Khawaja pour sugar into the selectors' petrol tanks?

 

[barbarian]

The dropped catch by Renshaw late yesterday stings. A lead (no matter how small) would be a lovely mental boost.

You'd hate for Saha to dig in, Jadeja to keep swinging and for them to get 40-50 in front.