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Post by weststigersbob on Mar 10, 2017 8:15:42 GMT
Looks like a decent game brewing in Dunedin. It still looks a decent batting surface, but without RT NZ won't want to be chasing anymore than 250. Big test for a Santner and Patel to spin NZ into a reasonable chance of winning.
Anybody else see Tammim Iqbal's crazy run out ? If Smith had a 'brain fade' - I don't know what you'd call setting off for a run while the keeper always has the ball....
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Mar 10, 2017 21:49:02 GMT
I don't trust either to not break down tbh. I believe Pattinson didn't want to be picked for the India tour anyway so Cummins it is. Whether he'll be able to bowl 20+ overs without breaking down is another matter.
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Post by Aj_June on Mar 11, 2017 4:19:07 GMT
Where did/do Bihar play in the Ranji Trophy? Patna? Cant believe a Chennai team would play so far away from home. Crazy. Isn't Ranchi literally up the road from Kolkata ? 4 years after the split, Jharkhand got the full membership of BCCi in 2004. They could both have got but there was power struggle among two camps who wanted to head the Bihar cricket association. There was a lot of politics involved and some corrupt politicians wanted to grab the power. BCCI terminated the status of Bihar as full member so it could not participate in Ranji Trophy since 2004. Most of the players of Bihar started trying out their luck in Jharkhand. "Cricket should be kept free from politics and the game should not become a ball for politicians, the Supreme Court of India observed on 25 November 2012." As late as 2016, Bihar has regained its full membership of BCCI but because there is no good infrastructure and absence of quality players, Bihar still hasn't got any team. But probably in 2 or 3 years, Bihar may start participating in Ranji Trophy once again. Bihar played 236 first-class matches between 1934-2003-04, winning 78, losing 56 and drawing 102.[source : Wiki]
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Post by Aj_June on Mar 11, 2017 4:22:07 GMT
SA are getting in a seemingly good position with a lead of 157 and 7 wickets in hand. I can't see them losing from here as light is fading for the day. But I hope NZ can bat out tomorrow though SA will probably play an hour before declaring or getting bowled out.
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Post by hamsterman11 on Mar 11, 2017 22:00:00 GMT
Not much chance of play today, the threatened rain has finally arrived. Think SA had enough runs and weren't likely to declare until they had a 200 plus lead, that on a wicket which is very hard to score runs quickly, they were the only ones who could have pressed for a win, even though NZ have probably been slightly the better side this match. If that makes sense. Commentators were all about NZ's bowling effort yesterday but I thought SA applied themselves pretty well and did well not to get bowled out for cheap.
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Post by Aj_June on Mar 12, 2017 4:25:58 GMT
Really sad about the rain. It could have turned into an engrossing final day of Test cricket. 2nd test stats on 16th March at Wellington.
Dean Elgar is the Man of the Match for his two brilliant innings which probably saved Saffers.
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Post by hamsterman11 on Mar 17, 2017 1:17:03 GMT
Thread has been quiet lately but Australia recovered nicely yesterday with Maxwell and Smith getting them into a strong position. Good test brewing between NZ and SA as well. Nice century from Nicholls yesterday.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Mar 17, 2017 20:01:59 GMT
I'd rather be Australia atm, but the pitch is holding together for now. It will probably break up later, so India need to not only bat all day tomorrow, but with minimal loss of wickets. Any lead of less than about 75 and India are in deep trouble.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Mar 17, 2017 20:03:09 GMT
Bangladesh have a healthy advantage over Sri Lanka right now too. Saffer/ NZ test looks interesting.
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Post by Aj_June on Mar 18, 2017 8:49:10 GMT
I'd rather be Australia atm, but the pitch is holding together for now. It will probably break up later, so India need to not only bat all day tomorrow, but with minimal loss of wickets. Any lead of less than about 75 and India are in deep trouble. The pitch seems to be still quite good for the batting. India at 303/4 at the moment and Aussie bowlers seem to be tired. It seems it will be a draw. I do expect some runs from India lower order this time. Complete turnaround in NZ Test. Guess Saffers were better team but NZ stayed in the match for a long time. A great opportunity for Tigers to get a historic win!
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Post by Aj_June on Mar 18, 2017 10:21:32 GMT
Excellent use of reverse swing by Aussie bowlers. Now Australia seems to be in a pretty good situation and if they get rid of last 4 wickets and take lead of 80+, only one team can lose from there on.
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Post by hamsterman11 on Mar 18, 2017 19:46:13 GMT
SA bowled well but that second innings batting from NZ was appalling. They should still be playing today.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Mar 18, 2017 19:55:40 GMT
Most interesting test atm is the one no one is talking about over in SL. Sri Lanka 8 down and about 139 ahead. It's already in awkward little chase territory. Either a rare away win for Bangladesh coming up, or a fine come back win for the Lankans.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Mar 18, 2017 19:59:37 GMT
On the India test, I think the home team is in massive trouble. Typically in India a lot happens late, and the home team has no margin for error if they trail by anything going into the second innings. They need to find a way to get to 520+ tomorrow or the ball is entirely in Australia's court, and how often do we see 4th innings collapses when the batting team knows they can't manage any better than a draw?
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Mar 19, 2017 11:29:27 GMT
India were able to get far enough in front to put Australia under pressure and will go into the last day expecting to claim victory after Australia lost two early wickets. They need a 100 partnership from Smith and Renshaw for their own nerves. One of those two goes early and this could get ugly.
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Post by Aj_June on Mar 19, 2017 11:55:49 GMT
India were able to get far enough in front to put Australia under pressure and will go into the last day expecting to claim victory after Australia lost two early wickets. They need a 100 partnership from Smith and Renshaw for their own nerves. One of those two goes early and this could get ugly. I would say Smith is the key here. The pitch looks significantly more dangerous for left-handers than right-handers at the moment. If Smith gets enough support Australia can see out this one. and perhaps the greatest moment for the Tigers in Test Cricket. They will be seen with a little more respect now. This could also get them more exposure in bigger countries.
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Post by weststigersbob on Mar 19, 2017 12:58:27 GMT
Good on Bangladesh. Hopefully this a corner turned. NZ played miserably. They beat themselves, RSA came along for the ride. India v Australia - only 2 results possible now. The more likely Indian win, or a draw. Big Innnings ahead for Shaun Marsh, Handscomb, Maxwell and Wade. Well played by Pujara and Saha.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Mar 19, 2017 22:18:01 GMT
I don't know how big it is for Marsh. He should play the 4th test and should never be considered for selection outside the sub continent. Hanscombe isn't going anywhere. Wade it's huge. He's delivered a giant donut with the bat since getting into the team by default and is a poor keeper. If he doesn't at the very least finish with an asterisk next to his name today (or better yet help save the game) he should be gone. However, he will be picked for the 4th test, and if he scores rums there, will be retained. Australia are desperate for a Prior or at least a Haddin, and won't discard Wade unless they have no choice.
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Post by Aj_June on Mar 20, 2017 1:15:49 GMT
I dislike the biased commentary of India. Smith has proven himself to be cut above the rest by getting runs on this tour. he should be called the best batsman in the world in the Test format. I remember Gavaskar and Shastri going on about Kohli when he was getting runs.......But I don't see much acknowledgement from Indian commentators other than general applause at his innings.
IMO Smith is turning into a legend!
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Post by weststigersbob on Mar 20, 2017 3:46:02 GMT
I agree with you AJ. Smith has proved himself now. Wonderful innings. If he saves this one, undeniable claims for worlds best.
BH - I feel as though this situation is exactly why we picked Shaun Marsh. Been around a long time, very experienced, good player of spin. Runs don't really matter. It's batting the time that does. Wade is in the same boat.
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