It has been a bit quiet, what with new job then being a bit ill plus a dearth of meaningful cricket. But Boxing Day is here and finally some real cricket action. The talk is about how many quicks Australia will take into the test. The smart money is on Shaun Tait being 12th man which is a shame. I’d gamble on him over Johnson for the third paceman role. That sort of pace needs to be used while you have it, not wasted as 12th man.
On the Indian side, the question is whether the potent though aging batting line up will fire. India do tend to lift against Australia. It is likely Tendulkar’s last tour of Australia and he will want to leave with another ton or two. The parochial Aussie in me hopes not but the cricket fan does wish to see some Tendulkar magic.
The Indians have not had the best prep for the test. With the MCG pitch likely to offer the quicks a bit of assistance Australia are the favourites. This series won’t be an easy run for the Aussies. The Indians battling lineup is still a powerful one. If Australia doesn’t take their chances they could be in for some pain.
And a message to the curators, give the bowlers some in 2008. Flat tracks are becoming boring. Bowlers deserve a little help here and there.
1 response so far ↓
Bring Back CL's blog // Dec 27, 2007 at 8:00 am
Highly enjoyable.
Openers were very luckey with the new ball swinging around the place. Should have been 4 or 4 down but that is luck. ( when we replace the awful kookaburraswith dukes. WhenI played steeded was vastly superior!)
It is amazing how leaden footed Aussies become when the ball swings around. Hayden did not have a clue as in England in 2005.
India then bowled rather raggedly and then picked up after lunch.
Kumble was of course very good but they all did their job.
I will assume the Indian batsman do their job so this is a test.