The last Shield match at the SCG started with a sub 200 score. The conditions also aided the aussies today. I don’t think it’ll take particularly long for the sun to cook the live grass tomorrow and settle the pitch down.
I’m confident we’ll put on 300+ and we look back at this as a great toss to have lost by getting the best of the pace conditions.
And yet we have had 3 debutants this series. When was the last time that happened?
Action already. A very close lbw shout first ball on Markram, on-field decision not out. Pakistan review and it’s just clipping the bails. Not out call stands, but very fortunate that he wasn’t fired first delivery.
100% agree @Captain_Jack - its so frustrating that Uzi and the selectors are allowing this nonsense to continue. He’s making too much $ to put his hand up and retire. It’s embarrassing for him and bloody annoying. Sharma did the right thing. Put an end to this Uzi crap - please someone !
For the record, I don’t think Rohit did anything. I think he was pushed.
You clearly don’t remember they were criticized strongly about it. And so should the indians.
I just want to know when it became fashionable to not move your feet whatsoever and get a decent stride into a full ball. If you hang back like that, you’re a sitting duck for a bowler of Bumrah’s class. He’ll either trap you in front or get the edge. Just feeling for the ball with his hands, no weight, no momentum.
Are you sure about that? The ‘official’ line from the Indian camp was that he was rested, when it was obvious to all and sundry he was dropped. Did Sharma want to play on? Did he decide? I think the decision was made for him.
Which should be the same for Uzi. Or if he doesn’t get tapped he must have enough dignity and self awareness to hang up the boots
Indians would be happy with how the final ball went.
Will he play VFL?
And since then it’s been pretty smooth sailing. Pitch looks a road, Pakistan’s bowlers are medium pace. Looks like a massive total coming for South Africa.
Does it make any sense to move Head to opening. Why mess with one of the few things that’s been reliable by shifting him up the order. That stuff is baffling
Not when the best fast bowler in the world is playing for the other mob. Arguably the wickets favouring the quicks have made India more competitive than they otherwise would have been.
It allows him to start against pace and not spin where he struggles.
I’d like to think the selectors should know a bit more than the average punter. Waiting this long to make the call on Marsh and selecting Hazlewood are both poor decisions. Selecting Usman is also a worry, it’s almost like they will only change the team if we lose a series. As for the debutantes one just replaced another and Webster is 31 years old, not really that impressive.
Not sure but form pre this series screamed pick Konstas as an opener.
Yet they went with McSweeney who is a middle order batsmen.
That was obviously a big mistake imho. Looks like it hasn’t cost the selectors the series though.
It also indicates they have fk all confidence those vying for his spot would do any better at test level.
I think Konstas is going to have a 4-6 year period of going in and out of the test side before absolutely nailing down a spot and being world class.
Which is fine. That’s what happened with arguably Australia’s greatest ever test opener (Matthew Hayden).
Who is knocking down the door for his spot?
Hes one of if not the most consistent opener in first class cricket.
He will never look back imho.