The Australian cricket non-official thread!

[Brendan_B]

I put the game at two sessions each at present.

Pujara and Kohli in the same over is priceless but India can bat a fair way down so we need to keep the pressure on.

 

[220]

Just forget about M Marsh as a all rounder he has had more than enough opportunity, if you must play an all rounder then elevate Starc to 7, he actually averages more with the bat than Marsh and is undoubtable a far superior bowler yet doesn't get a mention when talk turns to all rounders.

 

[220]

SOK 3 wickets in an over one for Garry next over India 7/95

 

[Keatoboy]

India 7/95... I can't believe what I'm seeing!!

 

[Matty76]

At this rate, the local effigy maker will have to put a boy on tomorrow - orders will be coming in thick and fast!!

This is remarkable Test cricket, regardless of how the match will eventually end. There's been more excitement in four and a half sessions than in the entire T20 series against Sri Lanka.

 

[Scotty_WCE]

Wowee... Who saw this coming! Still, we need to make sure we get these last two wickets quickly - can't waste this position of ascendency!

 

[220]

SOK 6/35 India 10/105

 

[Scotty_WCE]

Wowee... Who saw this coming! Still, we need to make sure we get these last two wickets quickly - can't waste this position of ascendency!

And just like that, SOK takes the last two to finish with six and India are all out. This is going to be a critical innings not just in the context of the match, but the series. Hopefully we can make 300+ to really bat them out of the match.

Really proud of the effort so far though - Renshaw, Starc and O'Keefe have all stood up.

 

[Parrapaul]

@bigrob2307 gotta love Steve o'keefe what a performance by a blue bagger!!!!

 

[bigrob2307]

Bowling hand grenades on this pitch

 

[220]

Warner gone early but at 1/15 we are 170 ahead

 

[Brendan_B]

Just forget about M Marsh as a all rounder he has had more than enough opportunity, if you must play an all rounder then elevate Starc to 7, he actually averages more with the bat than Marsh and is undoubtable a far superior bowler yet doesn't get a mention when talk turns to all rounders.

The issue I have with elevating Starc any further than 8. Is that you then place an expectation on him to score runs. He bats do well at the moment because he plays without pressure and just what he sees and knows that if he gets no runs he has a chance to contribute significantly with the ball

 

[Matt26]

I reckon I could get some turn on this pitch.....and I haven't turned one of my offies in about 10 years!

 

[220]

2/46 at tea on day 2 and a second innings lead of 201, never thought we would be in this position.
I think it is a certainty we will get a result. lol

For anyone without fox or out and about ABC grandstand are broadcasting and you can live stream

 

[Keatoboy]

Well... I think today's final scorecard is completely different to what we were all expecting. Rather than India being 2/400 and Kohli edging close to a double century, SOK has 6/35 next to his name and Australia have a 300+ run lead! Could we see an upset?

 

[220]

@Keatoboy, I still remember the 01 test when Aus enforced the follow on with a 270+ lead and lost the match by 170.
I also recall the ODI in Joburg when Aus scored an unheard of 434 only to lose. If one team can do it so can the other, I'll be happy to call it if we are 200 in front with them 9 down in the second innings. lol

 

[aussie26]

I'd love Australia to win, but i've seen to much cricket to know its not over till the fat lady sings. I think India didnt pay much respect to okeefe and were punished for it, reminds me of pup taking a bag many years ago in india , mind you we lost that game lol

 

[220]

The issue I have with elevating Starc any further than 8. Is that you then place an expectation on him to score runs. He bats do well at the moment because he plays without pressure and just what he sees and knows that if he gets no runs he has a chance to contribute significantly with the ball

True to an extent but the same could be said for Mitch, I doubt he will even bowl an over in this match, warner is more of a chance of rolling his arm over. If you go into a test knowing there is a good chance your all rounder wont bowl one over why select him in the first place, surely a specialist batsmen (Khawaja) or another bowler better suited to the conditions that can bat a bit (Agar) makes more sense,
Starc is not the only front line bowler we have with claims to being an all rounder, we have another 26 year old who has played 17 tests taken 70 wickets @ 26, averages almost 28 with the bat but cant get a start because of the infatuation the selectors have with players named Marsh.

 

[Scotty_WCE]

True to an extent but the same could be said for Mitch, I doubt he will even bowl an over in this match, warner is more of a chance of rolling his arm over. If you go into a test knowing there is a good chance your all rounder wont bowl one over why select him in the first place, surely a specialist batsmen (Khawaja) or another bowler better suited to the conditions that can bat a bit (Agar) makes more sense,
Starc is not the only front line bowler we have with claims to being an all rounder, we have another 26 year old who has played 17 tests taken 70 wickets @ 26, averages almost 28 with the bat but cant get a start because of the infatuation the selectors have with players named Marsh.

I suspect that if India's first innings went like many of us thought it would (i.e. India bat for 100+ overs) then Marsh would have had more than enough chance to roll his arm over. Also, Pattinson isn't playing due to a lack of recent first-class cricket because of injury.

Still, Marsh's chances of playing each Test will depend on team balance and what combination of bowlers they want for the conditions.

 

[Brendan_B]

Good to see Marshstick out a tough last hour yesterday.

I hope he can get his eye in today and then launch a quick 50-60