Becaue there are idiot. Also because India & Pak veteran teams are playing a 3 match ODI series in India. One of the matches is in Agra
Here are some intresting comments after Adelaid test.Thought I would share with you...
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"It's not as if they know what I am bowling, it's almost as if they don't really seem to care what I am bowling."
Stuart MacGill's self-esteem takes a beating after the Adelaide Test
"We know, and they know, that we can beat them."
Sourav Ganguly is justifiably cocky after beating Australia
"India have now won three of their last four Tests against Australia . . . maybe they are simply a better side."
The Daily Telegraph's Robert Craddock reacts to India's sensational win at Adelaide
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FB, Mcgill sounds like Warne, when he said he couldn't sleep at night thinking of sachin whizzing the ball past his head for a 6.
And the plane crashes down in Hobart after a dreamy lift off in Adelaide.
Australia A 311/5d
Indians 235/9 (76.0 ov)
I think the Indian media (as usual) is going over the top. I couldn't believe that there is a discussion thread (Topic : "Will India replace Australia as the best cricket team of the world") on the website of one of the top newspaper. Are these reporters just morons or are they playing to the gallery.
All this after a one-off win...one that was mostly the result of a single-handed effort of one man - Rahul Dravid. I mean, we seriously need to put things into perspective... had Dravid's catch not been dropped by Ponting in the second innings when he had not scored much, it might very well have been Australia going up 1-0. I am not trying to undermine India's effort... but to say that India is a better team than Australia is very premature.
Also, consider Autsralia's bench strength... players like Martin Love, Kaspowicz (sp?), Michael Bevan can't find place in the national test side.... compare this to the Indian bench....whom do we have Balaji/Deep Dasgupta... need I say more
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Some1: *
I think the Indian media (as usual) is going over the top. I couldn't believe there is a link to a debate (Topic : "Will India replace Australia as the best cricket team of the world") on the website of one of the top newspaper. Are these reporters just morons or are they playing to the gallery.
All this after a one-off win...that was mostly the result of a single-handed effort of that one man - Rahul Dravid. I mean, we seriously needs to put things into perspective... had Dravid's catch not been dropped by Ponting in the second innings when he had not scored much... it sure would have been Australia going up 1-0. I am not trying to undermine India's effort... but to say that India is a better team than Australia is very premature.
Also, consider Autsralia's bench strength... players like Martin Love, Kaspowicz (sp?), Michael Bevan can't find place into the national test side.... compare this to the Indian bench....whom do we have Balaji/Deep Dasgupta... need I say more
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Some1, sometimes you jsut made points pretty clear in very simple words. I wish that those guys in the newspapers can see it as well..
Like Pakistan Won ODI series in Australi, last year, everyone started to say that htye are the best team and blah blah ,, but Australi proved yet again in the WC.. anyway, its stupid to say that India has replaced Austalia in the Test Ranking...
well by beating australia it does not mean they r teh best team remember they have veen defeated badly by australians and new zealanders....australia have been winning the matches continiously for 5 or 6 years if they have lost the match then whts the big deal....breet lee abd best bowler of the world rite now mcgrath is not there...australia is the best team...cool breeze u r the only who r saying people were saying pak will replace australia.....try to talk abt ground facts....if they lose series for me not a big deal..winning for so much long neeeds time to lost few matches...
if Martin Love doesn't gets a Test call by the Australian selectors - two words for them - YOU SUCK
Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee are having a good time in the domestic cricuit - Brett Lee's latest performance shows that he is ready to take the charge - and Andrew Symonds will be much better than Simon Kitach.
anyhow there has been alot going on in Oz ever since losing Test match to India - John Buchanan blasted Aussies and his private letter has been leaked out - emotional time for John.
Ganguly backs away from world number one comments](Yahoo is part of the Yahoo family of brands.)
HOBART, Australia (AFP) - Indian captain Sourav Ganguly denied claiming that India could be considered the world’s No.1 Test cricket team if it beats Australia in the current series.
India goes to the Melbourne Boxing Day Test 1-0 up after winning the second Adelaide Test by four wickets last Tuesday.
After that victory, Ganguly appeared to suggest that if India won the four-Test series then his team could be regarded as the best in the world.
India is sixth on the International Cricket Council’s world championship table and at best can jump to third if it wins the series 3-0.
After his team drew the three-day match against Australia A here on Sunday, Ganguly said his comments were indicative of where India was aiming, not where it would be.
“We’re not number one, that’s for sure because the number one team is Australia,” Ganguly said Sunday when pressed on the issue.
"I don’t know what people have understood when I said we wanted to be at the top because any side should look to be the best.
“I hope one day we can be number one. I never said that (the series) had the number one tag - I’m not stupid enough to do that and if people read between lines I can’t help that.”
Ganguly went on to praise Australia for the way it has played under Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, in the one-day game.
"The way they’ve played over the last few years has been phenomenal, winning 16 Test matches in a row and winning a World Cup without dropping a match.
"But you have to give us credit because if any side has competed well against Australia in the past three or four years it’s been India.
"That’s a good sign for us because we are a young side so if we can compete with the best side in the world we should be thinking of getting close to being termed a very strong side.
“But we have some high standards to match because the standards set for Australia in the last five years under Steve (Waugh) and under (Ricky) Ponting in the one-day arena have been phenomenal.”
Ganguly said he was happy with what his team had gained from the three-day match here.
He said Sachin Tendulkar was starting to hit the ball well “which is a good sign” and praised opener Akash Chopra for his doggedness after he made 25 on Sunday in a two-hour stint in which he took 64 minutes to get off the mark.
“Akash batted well and got some practice for Melbourne,” Ganguly said.
"One of the key things in Australia is to see the new ball through - it helps for the guys coming down the order.
“So far Akash has been doing a good job.”
Ganguly was also pleased with young pace bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji.
“Our fast bowling options are still open and it’s the best I’ve seen him bowl on this tour.”
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
.....Ganguly praised opener Akash Chopra for his doggedness after he made 25 on Sunday in a two-hour stint in which he took 64 minutes to get off the mark.
"Akash batted well and got some practice for Melbourne," Ganguly said.
"So far Akash has been doing a good job."
[/QUOTE]
I wonder about Akash Chopra. He takes forever to score his runs. He follows the same pattern even in the side matches. Having him in the team is certainly not indicative of a "positive" or an "aggressive" strategy. The larger question is... is it right to have a strokeless opener just to take the shine off the ball.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Some1: *
I wonder about Akash Chopra. He takes forever to score his runs. He follows the same pattern even in the side matches. Having him in the team is certainly not indicative of a "positive" or an "aggressive" strategy. The larger question is... is it right to have a strokeless opener just to take the shine off the ball.
[/QUOTE]
Akash Chopra is perfect opener to compliment Sehwag.Specialy when we are playing abroad.Its true that he doesnt have variety of stroked but I think with time he will improve.It definitly helps if Openers play 10-12 overs and take the shine away.This is the main reason that Indian have managed to bat well in this series.Consider this..last time when India went to Australi best opening partnership was of 2 runs
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by fair_&_balance: *
Consider this..last time when India went to Australia best opening partnership was of 2 runs
[/QUOTE]
Really ! I find that hard to believe. Who were the Indian openers then ? I dont seem to remember.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Some1: *
Really ! I find that hard to believe. Who were the Indian openers then ? I dont seem to remember.
[/QUOTE]
Sagoppan Ramesh,Devang gandhi,VVS Laxman and few more :D
Paceman Lee recalled by Australia for third test
Sydney, Dec 22, 2003 (Reuters)
Fiery pace bowler Brett Lee, fit again after ankle and stomach injuries, has been rushed back into the Australian team to play India in the third test in Melbourne which starts on Friday.
Lee, who has played in 35 tests, proved his fitness during three matches for state side New South Wales and is the only change in the 12-man team named by the Australian selectors on Monday.
India lead the four-test series 1-0 after winning the second test in Adelaide by four wickets last week.
“Brett is an established test player and has demonstrated that he is back to full fitness following injury,” chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement.
“Brett always adds some zest to the attack and will be supported by our other bowlers who we felt, despite the loss, served the side well in Adelaide.”
Lee returns for the first time since the second-test win against Zimbabwe in October.
DEPLETED STOCKS
Australia’s depleted bowling stocks were reduced even further when injury-prone fast bowler Jason Gillespie broke down with a groin strain during the second test against India and was ruled out of the traditional Boxing Day match in Melbourne.
Gillespie will travel to Melbourne with the side to continue treatment on the injury.
Fast bowler Brad Williams, a possible candidate for the 12th-man spot which will be announced later this week, has proved his fitness after injuring his shoulder in Adelaide. Left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken was 12th man in the second test.
Strike bowler Glenn McGrath has been ruled out of the series while he recovers from ankle surgery. Leg spinner Shane Warne is also unavailable while he serves a 12-month doping ban.
But it was Australia’s batting which drew most criticism from coach John Buchanan in Adelaide.
Buchanan described his side’s performance as “soulless” and “immature” after they were bowled out for 196 in the second innings.
Australia team: Steve Waugh (captain), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist, Andy Bichel, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Brad Williams, Nathan Bracken (12th man to be named).
© Reuters Limited.
http://www.cricketnext.com/news1/next/reutersdec03/reuters149.htm
“harbaju’ India’s No. 1 finger out for 5 months”](http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2003/DEC/024822_IND_20DEC2003.html)
Harbhajan Singh (*pictured below), whose injured right-hand middle finger was operated upon yesterday, has been officially ruled out of competitive cricket for five months.
[thumb=E]inline18114_2888386.JPG[/thumb]
Andrew Leipus, the physio of the Indian cricket team who had accompanied Harbjajan to Melbourne for the surgery, said the ligament rupture on the knuckle of the finger would take two to three months to heal. That will be followed by rigorous physiotherapy for a couple of months. Leipus said, “It will be four to five months, before he can start bowling again.”
However, the positive news for the Indian camp is that Zaheer Khan looks good to play in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne after missing out the second Test due to a hamstring niggle. “He had a sprint this morning and felt good,” Leipus said, “He should be okay for the third Test. I’ll be upset if he doesn’t play at Melbourne.”
There have question marks over whether Harbhajan should have been allowed to be on the tour, but Leipus said that the team management had banked on him pulling through the series. “He was fine before the tour began, but the injury flared up during the first Test.”
Leipus added, “I was aware one day he would require to do an operation. I thought if he gets through the tour I would be happy. Sports medicine is all about balancing, keeping the guy going. He would’ve been better off with an operation then [last July].”
Harbhajan will stay on with the team until the end of the tour <<< ** (what on earth for :konfused: maybe to do aik haath ki tali from the indian changing rooms) ** under the care of Leipus, who said that the follow up and rehabilitation was critical to the success of the operation.
wat a huge blow that is harbaju’ has a good record against the aussies, i remember last time in india he took 32 wickets in the series against the aussies in 99’ with india eventually wining the series 3-2!!!
YES! Lee will open his attack on the fastest pitch in Australia at MCG! - good to have him back - however i think the problem still remains for the Aussies side with no Martin Love or Andrew Symonds in the middle order..
Brett Lee's averages keep rising. Williams and Bichel shared 7 wkts in the last 2 tests, and Mcgill is unfeared. I have no fear of the bowling. I only fear that complacency has crept into the batsmen, or that they don't stick to the plan and play stupid shots.
We should go with the intention of not losing the match, and do it so well we end up winning it. :)
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talha: *
YES! Lee will open his attack on the fastest pitch in Australia at MCG! - good to have him back - however i think the problem still remains for the Aussies side with no Martin Love or Andrew Symonds in the middle order..
[/QUOTE]
Simon Katich has played well in Adelaide with scores of 71 and 31 with couple of wickets. And Martin Love failed miserably against indians in the just concluded side-match.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by karina: *
We should go with the intention of not losing the match, and do it so well we end up winning it. :)
[/QUOTE]
Going with the intention of not losing is a defeatist attitude. It brings out the defensive qualities in the players and they end up losing. The attitude must be to win the match. India has the upper hand. They should press for a victory rather than sit on their laurels and lead.
India’s bats don’t fear Lee
By Nabila Ahmed
Brett Lee might have been touted as the primary weapon in Australia’s campaign to save Steve Waugh’s farewell series, but Indian captain Sourav Ganguly believes the speedster could be exposed during the Boxing Day Test without the metronomic Glenn McGrath at the other end.
Ganguly yesterday indicated Australia’s bowlers would hold no fears for his side.
He said Lee, who returns to the side tomorrow after almost two months on the sidelines because of an ankle operation and stomach muscle tear, could struggle in his new role as the leader of the attack.
“He’s got a bit of pace. But you know, bowling is like bowling in pairs,” Ganguly said.
“Without McGrath at the other end, it’s a different ball game. From the bowler coming in from the other side, suddenly he’s become the spearhead of the attack. So obviously there will be pressure on him to deliver.”
Lee himself has said his confidence was soaring as he approached the toughest challenge of his career, with Australian bowling stocks severely depleted because of injuries to dangermen McGrath and Jason Gillespie and the suspension of champion leg spinner Shane Warne.
Tomorrow, with names such as Andy Bichel, Nathan Bracken and Brad Williams by his side, Lee will be hoping to recapture some of the magic that netted him 5-47 in the corresponding MCG clash four years ago against India in a sparkling Test debut.
But amid suggestions that Australia could go into tomorrow’s crucial match with five bowlers, Ganguly said his side was not concerned about the make-up of the home team.
“I’m not really worried about whatever side they’re going to pick. But I expect them to pick four bowlers. If your four bowlers can’t do the job, I don’t think your fifth one can,” he said.
India’s most successful captain, who arrived on these shores saying results did not matter, also promised that India, which needs only a draw to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy it claimed with a stunning home series win in 2001, would play to win in Melbourne.
“Test matches in the recent past, there have not been many draws, so trying to look for a draw will not be the right approach. We just need to play well and do well every day,” he said.
Instead of being burdened with expectations after claiming a historic win in the second Test, Ganguly said his side merely looked to perform at its best and correct a recent away record in which it had relinquished an early lead to lose the series.
Since winning a three-match contest in Sri Lanka 1-0 in 1993-94, India’s 16 away series have yielded five draws, 10 losses and a win over Bangladesh in Dhaka in a one-off Test.
“I think when two teams play, there’s pressure on both of them because you play international cricket to win,” Ganguly said. “We’ve been one-nil up before, whether it’s in the West Indies, Zimbabwe or New Zealand. It’s not a new situation but we need to carry on from here.”
India’s case will be boosted by the return of paceman Zaheer Khan, who passed a fitness test at training yesterday. The make-up of the rest of the Indian pace attack will not be confirmed until tomorrow morning, with one of Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra expected to be omitted.
**
Nehra, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer all worked with Pakistani great Wasim Akram in the nets yesterday,** but India’s team manager said that was not an indication as to who would be picked.