Print

[Vic Nicholas]

Pakistan seem to produce excellent fast bowlers on dead tracks...

Pakistani's are Muslim, so they have no qualms eating meat (lamb mainly, but beef also).

No coincidence that India's best fast bowler Zaheer is a muslim.

Vegeterians struggle to put on the muscle mass to bowl fast...or maybe I have no idea what I am talking about!?

[kaustav]

Pakistani's are Muslim, so they have no qualms eating meat (lamb mainly, but beef also).

No coincidence that India's best fast bowler Zaheer is a muslim.

Vegeterians struggle to put on the muscle mass to bowl fast...or maybe I have no idea what I am talking about!?

Maybe you have no idea...lol..

1. India has more Muslims than Pakistan

2. There are plenty of non-Muslims who eat meat of many kinds, trust me 

[Nickauger]

Pakistani's are Muslim, so they have no qualms eating meat (lamb mainly, but beef also).

No coincidence that India's best fast bowler Zaheer is a muslim.

Vegeterians struggle to put on the muscle mass to bowl fast...or maybe I have no idea what I am talking about!?

lol no you don't! maybe 20 years ago but now with sports nutrition how it is they will be fine, Perhaps during Ramadam they will struggle but other than that, have you seen the size of Dhoni?

[alba caerulea]

Pakistani's are Muslim, so they have no qualms eating meat (lamb mainly, but beef also).

No coincidence that India's best fast bowler Zaheer is a muslim.

Vegeterians struggle to put on the muscle mass to bowl fast...or maybe I have no idea what I am talking about!?

If this is true its very interesting! Romesh Powar must be the same religion as me 

[Vic Nicholas]

Really? 3 innings wins would suggest otherwise. England had little trouble in dismissing Australia regularly on these pitches (which you are implying are flat) whereas the Australian attack, which included Siddle and Hilfenhaus were toiling for what seemed like weeks at times on the same tracks. You really need to start to beat another drum.

As mentioned by thedon, India usually start slowly and after being very competitive for 3 innings of this match I expect them to get at least a draw from this series. I'd be very surprised if Nathan Lyon took a batsmans wicket all series.

With respect, both Siddle and Hilfenhaus bowled 100% better in this test than what they did last summer.

Because of the McGrath effect, Australian bowlers over the last decade have bowled shorter lengths to contain batsmen, called "bowling dry". It worked for McGrath, but quite frankly last summer proved that in teh hands of mere mortals, it could be picked off without danger - as England did.

Under a new bowling coach(McDermott), Australia have started fuller lengths and an off stump line much like England does and it has worked wonders (funny that?)

Also, Siddle has improved out of sight since last summer - surely you could see that? Not everyone has to stay shyte for ever you know? Just look at Jimmy Anderson - averaged 85 against Australia in 2006/07, then 45 against Australia in 2009 and now 25 last summer....natural improvement. It is allowed as far as I know!

Last summer was the perfect storm that shall never be repeated, though I do expect England to win the next two Ashes series as they are not far away and are back to back.

[uknsaunders]

The indian lads I know drink but the pakistani lads don't? I'm as clueless/ignorant as you Vic lol

[Vic Nicholas]

Maybe you have no idea...lol..

1. India has more Muslims than Pakistan

2. There are plenty of non-Muslims who eat meat of many kinds, trust me 

I am acutely aware that India has more Muslims than Pakistan, but I am also aware via Indian bloggers that Muslim Indians believe the BJP picks the Indian cricket team and discrimates against capable Indian muslim players like the Pathan brothers.

On your second point, I believe you!

[kaustav]

I am acutely aware that India has more Muslims than Pakistan, but I am also aware via Indian bloggers that Muslim Indians believe the BJP picks the Indian cricket team and discrimates against capable Indian muslim players like the Pathan brothers.

Come on man that is too much; the Pathan brothers have been give just too many chances....lol; no BJP does not select the team. I am sure!!!

[Vic Nicholas]

Come on man that is too much; the Pathan brothers have been give just too many chances....lol; no BJP does not select the team. I am sure!!!

Not my opinion bro...and yes, the Pathan brothers haven't cut the mustard when given a shot.

Many want Wasim Jaffer in the team instead of Gambhir, but as per the Pathan's, believe he will never get another go.

[kaustav]

Jaffer is a proven failure; Gambhir might be struggling but his record is much better.

With the awful state of Indian fast bowling, the selectors will give the cap to a naturalized Martian if he turns out to be a good bowler.

[roco]

That yadav looks promising as does Aaron I think the other 90mph bowler those 2 plus Zaheer and a spinner looks a decent attack

[alba caerulea]

All good points Mr Nicholas but lets judge them at the end of this series, not one game into it.

To say that the Aussie attack is on par with Englands is wrong. During the Ashes Englands 4th and 5th choice seamers (Tremlett and Bresnan) came into the side and took wickets. Swann v Lyon is a non contest. One area Australia do have the upper hand in, with the inclusion of Watson, is the 4th seamer, and a very handy one at that. But what it comes down to is which attack is more likely to take 20 wickets on any surface? I think theres only one answer there

Are there any changes expected in either side for the next Test down under?

[kaustav]

That is because their eyes have lit up bowling on these pitches; once they go back to the sub-continent the state of the pitches will automatically drain their energy out.

[Village Trundler]

Many want Wasim Jaffer in the team instead of Gambhir, but as per the Pathan's, believe he will never get another go.

Last time Wasim came he came to Australia, he looked atrocious... .think he averaged less than 10 across 3 tests, besides, he is 4 years older than Gambhir..... not an ideal replacement for a team that needs to get younger.

Even Badrinath is 31 now.

[Vic Nicholas]

All good points Mr Nicholas but lets judge them at the end of this series, not one game into it.

To say that the Aussie attack is on par with Englands is wrong. During the Ashes Englands 4th and 5th choice seamers (Tremlett and Bresnan) came into the side and took wickets. Swann v Lyon is a non contest. One area Australia do have the upper hand in, with the inclusion of Watson, is the 4th seamer, and a very handy one at that. But what it comes down to is which attack is more likely to take 20 wickets on any surface? I think theres only one answer there

Are there any changes expected in either side for the next Test down under?

Steady on! I didn't say "on par", I am just saying with natural improvement they are not THAT far behind.

Fourth and fifth seamer, well I think we have some reasonable ones who could take a wicket or two:

Doug Bollinger test bowling ave 25.92
Ryan Harris test bowling ave 21.37
Patrick Cummins test bowling ave 16.71

Is Swann really that good?

A test bowling average of over 40 against Australia across ten tests home and away would suggest otherwise. Cheap wickets against Bangladesh puff the average, but do little else to convince of this guys worth. He took bugger all wickets against India this summer when it was a slaughter as well.

If we could recruit two gun South African batsmen to bolster our batting, we would at least have a chance next Ashes series, but as we are not likely to do that, I expect the batting to be the weak link as England has a far better batting line up. Runs on the board build pressure.