India defeating Australia

[Bealman]

Deliberate stir up thread which I suspect won't go long from lack of followers anyway!

India have won the test.

No bloody wonder, does anyone in the world know any of our players?

Hope so, cos I don't 

[port perran]

I've been following this series with interest.
Australia have got to start again  i think and it's going to take a firm hand to drag them back up from the troubles of the last year or so.
It'll take some strong characters and a deal of resolve to regain the confidence and support of the Australian public. Australian cricket teams are renownned for their competitiveness and fighting spirit but they need to achieve this again and play fairly.
I wish the team well as a great Aussie side is, I feel, essential if cricket is to survive - particularly Test Cricket.

[Bealman]

I've been following this series with interest.
Australia have got to start again  i think and it's going to take a firm hand to drag them back up from the troubles of the last year or so.
It'll take some strong characters and a deal of resolve to regain the confidence and support of the Australian public. Australian cricket teams are renownned for their competitiveness and fighting spirit but they need to achieve this again and play fairly.
I wish the team well as a great Aussie side is, I feel, essential if cricket is to survive - particularly Test Cricket.

What a wonderful and thoughtful reply.

Cheers! 

George

[JonHarbour]

G'day George,

I was disappointed just like you to see the way we capitulated. However, there were some positives. I think Tim Paine has acquitted himself well as captain. He has drunk from a poison chalice and survived two and a bit series. The batting leaves a lot to be desired. There are a couple of player who don't deserve to be in the Test team - hopefully the Marsh brothers questions have now been well and truly answered. End of discussion! We need a major rethink of our top six batsmen. For Sri Lanka, I would like to see:




• Marcus Harris - I think he did enough to be retained. He looks like he belongs at test level and I think it only a matter of time before he makes a century. Given they are facing a much lesser opponent next - I don't think we shall have to wait too long.
• Joe Burns - He's done well in the Shield and deserves another change. He didn't do a lot wrong before.
• Usman Khawaja - he is probably our best batsman at the moment. Didn't set the world alight against India but then who did?
• Marnus Labuschagne - deserves another chance
• Matthew Wade - play as a specialist batsman - he's top scorer in the shield isn't he?
• Tim Paine - he's done enough to move up the list one place
• Glenn Maxwell - an extra bowling option and can change a game if he gets going
• Pat Cummins - he's one of the few positives from the India seria
• James Pattinson - he's fit and Starc isn't firing
• Nathan Lyon - can't leave the GOAT out
• Josh Hazlewood - he bowled okay and scored some helpful runs

In terms of the next Ashes series, it's a given Warner and Smith will be back. I don't like the idea of Warner being back in the team, but you can't ignore players that average around 50 in test cricket.

Back to the India series - much as it pains me to admit it... the better team won. India out-batted us, out-bowled us and their fielding was the best I have ever seen from an India team. They deserved the win. Pujara showed everyone how to bat a test level. He was magnificent.

[BobB]

Perhaps we have seen an honest Australian team in action that does not bad mouth others for a change. If international cricket is to prosper we need a few more teams to 'play the game'. I hope the next few years will see a return to unpredictable games that are worth watching.

[red_death]

I've watched bits of the games and it struck me that this is one of the very best Indian sides combined with an Australian team missing two of its best batsmen, so it didn't really surprise me that Australia have struggled.  Even at full strength I'm not sure that Australia would have beaten the current Indian team. Kohli, Pujara, Bumrah and Jadeja are wonderful cricketers.

England beat India last summer 4-1 but that (for me anyway) didn't reflect some of the close games (1st, 4th and 5th Tests).

Harris impressed me in the 1st innings of this Test and Paine oozes humility and class as a person.

Cheers Mike

[Bealman]

Currently got one eye on the one day game between Australia and India (other eye on me schooner at the club  )

I'm trying not be cynical, but I really think it's choreographed for TV, so it finishes at 10pm.

Or is it 9?

Should be able figure the time by watching the run rate 

[Bealman]

As I type, India are 3-95 but all the action will happen at the end when lights are on and max TV coverage and crowd have been maintained.

As I say, I'm cynical, but if you don't mind watching cricket, it's entertaining enough, I guess.

[Bealman]

Strange India need 190 from 150 balls! Cliffhanger at the end!

[Bealman]

Anyway, I'm off home, where cricket will certainly not be on...

Australian tennis just started! Mrs Bealman and newly returned Japanese Bealette in control there.

Maybe someone will be able to let me know who won the cricket 

[BobB]

As far as one day matches are concerned, I think all of these distorting rules about power plays, limited numbers of overs being bowled by individuals etc. ruin the game. Why don't we let the team captains use their resources as they see fit ? Is it to satisfy television audiences ?

[Bealman]

That is exactly what worries me, but at the same time, probably it pulls in the people.

Money is what it's all about, unfortunately.

[port perran]

142-4 Dhoni just out.
India need 147 from 17 overs.

[Bealman]

Thanks! 

[port perran]

Got to go out now so will miss the end!
184-5 (Rohit still there on 102).
India need 105 off 54 balls.