406 replies to this topic

[The Winged Shadow]

WI vs Bangladesh test match on the way. 18 run off the first over by Gayle.

edit: 2 sixes, a four and a two, in case anyone was wondering.

Edited by The Winged Shadow, 12 November 2012 - 10:41 PM.

[Stubby]

Saw that come up in the commentary on cricinfo for the Aus v SA match.

Apparently he hit the very first ball of the match over long on for a Dorothy.

[The Winged Shadow]

Woot! Gayle down! WI 35/1. It was only a matter of time by the way he was going after the ball (his strike rate was 141 lol).

Good to see the young offpsinner hold his nerve and keep giving the ball some flight!

[Jeor]

So we get a draw...both sides will be happy enough with that I think. South Africa escape a Test when they were a batsman down, getting some good innings on the way, and Australia also got some good knocks in.

I really hope the bowling improves from both sides though. These sorts of batting matches are rather dull.

[Paxter]

I actually think the pitch was more to blame than the bowlers in that test - it was reminescent of the Ashes test at the 'Gabba a couple of years ago which was also dominated by batsmen.

As for the WI v Bangladesh match, pretty straightforward innings for WI with Chanders getting yet another hundred. He's averaging over 80 this calendar year - not bad for a 38 year old.

[The Winged Shadow]

Bangladesh need some quick wickets, specially Chanders. I had some hope after Gayle and Bravo were gone, but Powell and Chanders kinda ruined it all. I don't have much faith in the Bangladesh top order, inlcuding Tamim, but the middle order (shakib, rahim and mahmudullah) usually manages to save some face. I really hope they do well. While I don't expect Bangladesh to win any matches, I really hope they put up a fight. Their test record is abysmal at this point.

[Paxter]

I would've expected Bangladesh to get something out of this series 1-2 years ago, but Sammy has actually done a really decent job with this WI team and they are much more competitive now.

[adamsputnik]

Jeor, on 13 November 2012 - 02:54 AM, said:

So we get a draw...both sides will be happy enough with that I think. South Africa escape a Test when they were a batsman down, getting some good innings on the way, and Australia also got some good knocks in.

I really hope the bowling improves from both sides though. These sorts of batting matches are rather dull.

No doubt the Adelaide Oval will help in that regard...

[The Winged Shadow]

Tamim is going at it it seems.(140+ strikre rate). This can't end well

[The Winged Shadow]

Bangladesh seems to have stablised a bit, but it seems like Shakib got a few chances. Let's hope they don't screw it up after lunch.

India seems to be dominating the English bowlers, not surprising considering it is being played in India. I hope this series turn out better than the last one.

[Paxter]

The Tigers are batting really well, they shouldn't lose this test match from this position.

England in dire straits already, not much of a surprise given the conditions and India's star quality in the top order.

Edited by Paxter, 15 November 2012 - 03:11 AM.

[The Winged Shadow]

Hot damn. Colour me impressed. Bangladesh has done really well. 455/6 with most of the batsmen getting a start. It's good to see that they are closing in on the total.

Pax, I think you are right that Tigers shouldn't lose this. It should be a draw, and I think it is as good as a win for them. They need to learn to get draws before they can start to win. Nonetheless, both teams are prone to collapse, Bangladesh significantly more so than WI. So this test may still result in a win for one of the teams.

India lost a quick couple of wickets there after a blistering start. Hope the Poms get back into it tomorrow. I want a good test match dammit! Hate these stupid batting pitches. All pitches should be tailored for bowling IMO!

[ljkeane]

Not the most auspicious of starts for England, especially given the pitch is apparently showing signs of deteriorating already. Honestly I don't hold out too much hope about their chances in subcontinent conditions anyway, hopefully the batsmen won't embarrass themselves this time.

[williamjm]

ljkeane, on 15 November 2012 - 06:51 AM, said:

Not the most auspicious of starts for England, especially given the pitch is apparently showing signs of deteriorating already. Honestly I don't hold out too much hope about their chances in subcontinent conditions anyway, hopefully the batsmen won't embarrass themselves this time.

Swann did bowl well but I think it was a big mistake not to have Monty available to back him up. There was nothing in that pitch for the seamers but Swann did manage to get a reasonable of turn at times so they really should have had two specialist spinners (Patel can fill in for a few overs but he's not going to threaten the Indian batsmen). Hopefully they'll learn the lesson for later matches in the series.

[Paxter]

@Nil: Yeah, just a shame that Shakib and Rahim didn't go on to make big scores. But very impressive performance from Bangladesh nonetheless.

As for India v England, Pujara looks a class player, excellent find for India. And well done to Sehwag on finally emerging from his extended rut.

@BillyJ: Yeah agree with you 100% on Panesar.

Edited by Paxter, 15 November 2012 - 05:44 PM.

[Paxter]

Dominant batting performance from the Tigers, easily their highest total in test match cricket. Admittedly it's a very flat pitch and the standard of WI bowling is probably no better than a first-class attack, but 500+ still takes some doing.

Edited by Paxter, 15 November 2012 - 11:57 PM.

[The Winged Shadow]

WTF England? Why are they playing so shit? It's like they just gave up after getting the No.1 test rank (last year?).

WI lost quite a few wickets at the end of the day today. They do have a decent lead so far, and with Chanders still to come tomorrow, there is still some batting to go. Should be interesting to see when they declare. If they bat too long tomorrow, they won't have the time to bowl the Tigers out. They could tempt the Tigers to plays recklessly if the lead is not too high and there is a chance of victory. Should be interesting.

[sh_wulff]

Well the Windies held their nerve- just- it was theirs to lose;

And teh colonial overlords are being served their ... on a platter!

[williamjm]

The Winged Shadow, on 16 November 2012 - 06:05 AM, said:

WTF England? Why are they playing so shit? It's like they just gave up after getting the No.1 test rank (last year?).

To be fair, they're playing pretty much the same way they usually play when in Asia, being hopeless against spin bowling isn't a new phenomenon.

I think the game is almost certainly gone now unless there's a repeat of the fightback in the first test of the last Ashes series, but at least they can take some positives from the second innings so far with the new opening combination managing a century partnership in their first Test together which does seem promising for the future. Compton has been playing with more composure on debut than most of his more experienced team-mates are managing, Bell's first ball dismissal was particularly brainless.

[The Winged Shadow]

Still trying to get over the loss to WI. This game and this team (Bangladesh) makes me feel Bipolar. All these highs and lows, don't know how much more I can take!

williamjm, on 17 November 2012 - 06:52 PM, said:

To be fair, they're playing pretty much the same way they usually play when in Asia, being hopeless against spin bowling isn't a new phenomenon.

I think the game is almost certainly gone now unless there's a repeat of the fightback in the first test of the last Ashes series, but at least they can take some positives from the second innings so far with the new opening combination managing a century partnership in their first Test together which does seem promising for the future. Compton has been playing with more composure on debut than most of his more experienced team-mates are managing, Bell's first ball dismissal was particularly brainless.

I am not too unhappy. It being England and all. Gives Australia some hope for the Ashes