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[CrickFreak]

India has been dominant at home but who is not. Take any of the top 4-5 teams, they have not lost home series. There have been few exceptions like England beat India at home was a disgrace. But otherwise every home team generally  dominates at home 9 out of 10 times.
Dont know why it is a huge topic of discussion. India's away record has been dismal but have still retained some top positions in ICC ranking. I dont mean they shouldnt  improve, but also remember, the current team has collectively not played 200 tests... will take time. Bhuvi, Shami etc are talented but they cannot be compared to Styen, Morkel etc. ... it will take time and there will be some tough series ahead..
I think SA should be more worried after losing to Pakistan.

[smilley792]

Just sat watching the first test. India got blown away this morning.

Last night they was 255 for 5, woke up and 280 all out, and South Africa in batting.

Now India's bowling attack looking very ordinary, and it seems the old guard bowling. Do they have any new bowling talent coming through? Sharma not really cutting it at mo.

[Alvaro]

Echoes of the Saffer tour here last year - disappointing first day followed up by the business...

[The_Bird]

Sharma has been poor for a few years now, I don't really see why he's still in the side. The pitch looks tailor made for B Kumar.

SA have the benefit of a settled pace attack that have variety, control and genuine wheels. An Indian tour to SA will always test the minerals of a young Indian batting line up. As always it was a joy to watch Kohli yesterday and hopefully the rest can step up and challenge the SA.

[Gerry SA]

Sharma has been poor for a few years now, I don't really see why he's still in the side. The pitch looks tailor made for B Kumar.

SA have the benefit of a settled pace attack that have variety, control and genuine wheels. An Indian tour to SA will always test the minerals of a young Indian batting line up. As always it was a joy to watch Kohli yesterday and hopefully the rest can step up and challenge the SA.

Dale Steyn basically talked his pal Ishant Sharma into the side ahead of that 3rd ODI.

Sharma promptly took 4-40 odd and was remarkably accurate and bowled briskly.

Kumar has looked pathetic in the games he played. Bowling 77-80mph cannon fodder.

[Gerry SA]

As for India's tail getting blown away.

It was overcast this morning plus factor in Sharma, Khan and Mohammad are all true number 11s, they where never going to last against the movement Big Vern was getting.

[smilley792]

As for India's tail getting blown away.

It was overcast this morning plus factor in Sharma, Khan and Mohammad are all true number 11s, they where never going to last against the movement Big Vern was getting.

True that.

Khan looked like he'd never actually batted before! Shocking shot/movement,




Noticed smiths bats is stickered up as a six6, gunn and Moore still states he uses a argon, yet the bat looks like a really old gm shape, it looks well used to boot to.

I wonder why the six6 players edition is a joe root, and not a smith?

[Gerry SA]

True that.

Khan looked like he'd never actually batted before! Shocking shot/movement,




Noticed smiths bats is stickered up as a six6, gunn and Moore still states he uses a argon, yet the bat looks like a really old gm shape, it looks well used to boot to.

I wonder why the six6 players edition is a joe root, and not a smith?

Biff only plays Tests whereas Root plays all three formats probably the deciding factor.

[smilley792]

Biff only plays Tests whereas Root plays all three formats probably the deciding factor.

Except root used the octane in odi and t20. Six6 is tests only.

Only think gm think they'd sell more six6 players eds in the uk, where's as South Africans prefer other brands?

[Gerry SA]

Except root used the octane in odi and t20. Six6 is tests only.

Only think gm think they'd sell more six6 players eds in the uk, where's as South Africans prefer other brands?

Smith - a Test captain
Du Plessis - T20 captain
De Kock - new pin up boy

All use GM, but GM isn't as popular as other brands.

[WalkingWicket37]

Biff only plays Tests whereas Root plays all three formats probably the deciding factor.

Root only uses a Six6 in tests (according to the GM website) so Biff would be the better option surely (with a Joe Root Octane)

[Gerry SA]

Root only uses a Six6 in tests (according to the GM website) so Biff would be the better option surely (with a Joe Root Octane)

England average 11 Tests per year

Whereas the Proteas average 6-7.

So Root's going to get more tv time.

[WalkingWicket37]

England average 11 Tests per year

Whereas the Proteas average 6-7.

So Root's going to get more tv time.

Biff bats for longer in those 6-7 though I bet

[smilley792]

Biff bats for longer in those 6-7 though I bet

Roots faced 2015 balls to smiths 895 in 2013. Which probably makes gms decision the correct one.


Runs are 823 vs 527 currently(not sure if these stats include recent/current test)




Gerry's observation that England plays more test is a worthy one, as we have been dyer in quite a lot this year, yet still have 4 batsmen in the top 6 runs scored in 2013.
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=1;id=2013;type=year

[The_Bird]

Are England the only team that plays a 5 test series? Back to back ashes series in 2013 as well.