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[espocrespo]

If New Zealand play anything like they did against Bangladesh, then India will annihilate them in the Test matches.

I read on cricinfo the possible proposal of the 2 NZ islands playing in AU domestic cricket, which i think will be good for improving the top standard, but maybe hard to get the youngsters through. Unless NZ kept there current domestic teams also.

[eaowbear]

I see Sehwag is nearing yet another double ton in rapid time. What an awesome player he is!

[iand123]

A poor attack coupled with another indian flat dull pitch means this will no doubt turn into a run fest

[thedon]

These flat dull pitches produced "results" against the aussies

[iand123]

True, i still expect the Indian 1st innings total to be over 500

[Jeet]

Fabulous day of cricket, if your a fan of India or enjoy batting.

Sehwag was a threat to watch, as usually. He seemed to be batting on a different wicket compared to the rest of India's batsmen. He made Gambhir and Dravid look ordinary at times.

Dravid's hundred was a positive and a negative. Good he's in form ahead of the tour of South Africa, but he's now keeping Pujara out of the team.

A poor attack coupled with another indian flat dull pitch means this will no doubt turn into a run fest

Run feast maybe for India, but India's bowlers are a lot better than NZ's. You have to feel Harbhajan will out bowl Vettori, as Harbhajan actually spins the ball. Ojha(excellent vs Oz) will out bowl Patel, who was very disappointing.
Zaheer is in a different league to Martin & Bennett, who was pretty good on debut.

Additionally, NZ's batting isn't in the same league as India's, with only Vettori having played a Test in India before. The pitch has already started to wear rapidly.

[Tumo]

Boring first day. Utterly terrible. And Vettori is in my opinion, a far superior bowler to Harbhajan. Admittedly, Zaheer is class. I think if NZ had won the toss that it'd be different. Sick of these boring Indian pitches, where the first 2 and a half days are a batting paradise, and the last 2 and a half are slow turners. Yawn.

[Talisman]

The world would be a more boring place if all the wickets were alike.

[iand123]

I dont disagree that India are a far superior side to NZ, just i find these flat pitches a bit dull

[espocrespo]

the flat pitches are alright, when its a one sided game, cuz its clear NZ aren't gonna get what ever India get in there first innings, and if they do it will take both of NZ's innings.

[Jeet]

And Vettori is in my opinion, a far superior bowler to Harbhajan.

Danny Vettori wishes he was as good a bowler as Harbhajan, spinners main aim is to spin the ball - something Vettori doesn't do.

Vettori is a more complete cricketer, fine skipper, quality batsman and a decent spinner.

Harbhajan is a match winning spinner.

[Tumo]

But half of the idea of taking wickets is to work in tandem with someone. Bhaji has Zaheer, and normally a fairly good spinner in the ranks to work with. Danny Vettori doesn't even have Shane Bond anymore, he can't take 20 wickets by himself. On bowling alone I'd prefer Danny, cannier, outstanding control, and he DOES turn the ball, just not on a first day flat track, which is of course the hunting ground for every spinner going. /sarcasm.

[iand123]

Danny Vettori wishes he was as good a bowler as Harbhajan, spinners main aim is to spin the ball - something Vettori doesn't do.

Im sure as long as Vettori is taking wickets he couldnt care less!

[Jeet]

But half of the idea of taking wickets is to work in tandem with someone. Bhaji has Zaheer, and normally a fairly good spinner in the ranks to work with. Danny Vettori doesn't even have Shane Bond anymore, he can't take 20 wickets by himself. On bowling alone I'd prefer Danny, cannier, outstanding control, and he DOES turn the ball, just not on a first day flat track, which is of course the hunting ground for every spinner going. /sarcasm.

Danny Morrison and Simon Doull both on air said Vettori doesn't turn the ball, unless the wicket is a dust-bowl. But if you know better than the ex pros, I'll take your word for it.

Harbhajan has variations when the wicket is flat to get batsmen out.

Vettori has to rely on the batsmen making an error, so he's not capable of getting the batsmen out.

I've got nothing against Vettori, wonderful player and a  true gentleman. I love watching him bowl, he's just not form the very top draw of world class spinners.

[Jeet]

Im sure as long as Vettori is taking wickets he couldnt care less!

I'm pretty sure of that as well, but turning the ball would make his job easier!