Print

[Gerry SA]

So cricket in Australia tries to carry on after the death of Phillip Hughes.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke is fit and will lead his side.

Australia XI:
Rodgers, Warner, Watson, Clarke(c), Smith, M.Marsh, Haddin(w/k), Johnson, Siddle, Harris and Lyon.

The rescheduled start of the series helped Pup and Harris get into the side. Hazlewood must be a little stiff to be overlooked for Siddle. Lyon very lucky to get a gig. Don't see why Australia need Watson and Mitch Marsh.

Most touchingly Australia have named Phillip Hughes as 13th man.

India XI:
undecided as of yet. Dhoni could be fit. Kumar is injured. India might even field two spinners with Karn Sharma looking for a Test debut.

[skip1973]

Marsh makes the batting look a bit light to me, especially with Clarke a bit suspect at the moment. Siddle deserves this test.

[cesare_in]

Virat Kohli to lead in the first test as per newspapers here in India.

[Gerry SA]

India set to revert back to the 4 bowlers.

Probable line up:
Dhawan, Vijay, Pujara, Kohli(c), Rahane, Rohit, Saha(w/k), Ashwin, Ishant, Aaron and Shami.

Dhawan very lucky to be getting a gig, his style of batting will be exposed against the Australian fast bowlers.

A better option would've been Rohit opening and India playing 5 bowlers.

[Buzz]

I see Dhawan as similar to Warner in approach - he could come off really well against the aussies.

Equally he could get made to look very poor by Ryan Harris - but Harris needs to be fit and hasn't bowled much since his operation.

There really needs to be more love shown for Ryan Harris - the man who (metaphorically speaking) looks like a carthorse but bowls like a thoroughbread.

[Gerry SA]

I see Dhawan as similar to Warner in approach - he could come off really well against the aussies.

Equally he could get made to look very poor by Ryan Harris - but Harris needs to be fit and hasn't bowled much since his operation.

There really needs to be more love shown for Ryan Harris - the man who (metaphorically speaking) looks like a carthorse but bowls like a thoroughbread.

Ryan Harris is the closest anyone will find to a Dale Steyn clone.

[Kez]

Is it on Sky in the UK?

[ijmorgan]

Pretty sure its on Sky sports 2 at Midnight.

[Gerry SA]

Karn Sharma debuts for India.

[Gerry SA]

India's attack

Ishant
Aaron
Shami
Karn

no place for either Ashwin or Jadeja...i bet they miss their pal Dhoni...

[Gerry SA]

Pup wins the toss. Australia batting. Pile them on lads. Do it for Phillip

[Number4]

Nice 145 by Warner and Clarke was hitting them sweet till he retired hurt

[Manormanic]

India's attack

Ishant
Aaron
Shami
Karn

no place for either Ashwin or Jadeja...i bet they miss their pal Dhoni...

Can't understand that selection - if you're going in with four bowlers, its hella risky for one to be a debutant leg spinner. 

[Gerry SA]

Can't understand that selection - if you're going in with four bowlers, its hella risky for one to be a debutant leg spinner.

Seems a bigger error when part time off spinner Vijay has to bowl on day 1 of the Test match. Incredible to think Ashwin has 100 Test wickets but he can't get a game.

[Gerry SA]

Magnificent century by David Warner. If Smith and Pup can both reach hundreds, Australia should be looking at 500+.