Ind v NZ
oh, for a little more committment from the top order. aaargh.
157/8. 35overs.
no comments. only a quiet drink and solace unfound.
67/8. 17 overs.
So I am consigned to trying to follow the second half on the Net. Pay through your nose for cricket, but one channel cannot show two matches, and The Ashes it. Can't say I fault that, can't say I am satisifed either :)
At 17/3 over my worst fears are coming true- Bond is killing us. Two of the three bowled, I see. 215 suddenly looks different, dunnit?
19/3. 5th over
Mid inning break
NZ 215 all out.
Two crucial, brave and attacking innings saw NZ reach 215. Not a great score, but (heck you know what's coming ...) competitive. Mcullum and McMillan both played positive innings in the midst of absolute batting chaos for the Kiwis. This pitch does not look like it justifies anything of this sort, but there you are. NZ batted right up to no.11-with Adams. That depth and the positive outlook of these two made sure this was not a 150-160 total.
Our very own Monu (nehra) had the best figures, and he has been consisiten for some time now. Agarkar and Bhajji were very expensive, with the former going for nearly 7 an over. And now I hear Sunny saying Agarkar does not get the field he deserves, so he is going for runs. Sigh...
The super sub strategy for both teams has worked out just fine. Nehra shall relax now and Rao will come in, and Bond will be waiting to have a crack at India, especially the captain. Irrespective, India really should not end up on the losing side here. It will be a lot of good work wasted, and self doubt revisited. Hopefully, neither of those shall fructify.
lunch
The 8 overs since I posted l;ast have seen 46 runs. The partnership between McMillan and Oram has crossed 50 sometime ago- it is now a healthy 73(88). My good friend Ajit and new acquanitance JPYadava have failed to capitalise on the wonderful start that Pahan and Nehra provided. To be fair JP Yadav was only going for under 4 an over. Harbhajan is back on now, and has been going at about 7 an over.
A run out! What a stroke of luck! The dangerous Oram is dismissed in a terrible mixup, bringing the potentially even more dangerous Cairns to the crease. And now McMillan's gone for a run-a-ball 54 that rejuvenated this innings. Agarkar induces a false stroke and its a simple catch for Pathan at mid-off. It is 7 down, and India are back in control. They must make sure that the screws are tightened.
Over in the northern hemisphere, Pietersen just stroked a spanking boundary.
Lord, what a bounty of cricket you have given us...!
134/7. 30 overs
A little time away from the tv screen, and NZ has tumbled to 5 down. I just heard Harsha say that Ajit's catch was a very good one, then the discussion on Agarkar's promise and his frustration started. I am not one to do this, but I will say this here- the only way his (very regressive) selection will stand redeemed for me is if he takes the series by storm. Nothing less.
JP Yadav and his flowing locks are into the scene now, and McMillan has sped to a run-a-ball 16 with that last smashed four off Agarkar.
18 overs 59/5
You think the last minute hurried rushing about toreach Bulawayo has done some good? because Nehra and Pathan have ensured that the Kiwis are 13/2 in the 6th over, and besides that being a good start, the bowling is looking good. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, but the super sub strategy seems to have been fine for both teams. NZ will bring in Bond after their batting, and India can get Rao in to strengthen the chase. And there! Nehra has just struck again. Plumb in front, and they are reduced to 13/3. Now just hope we don't let this go. I shall try and write in as often as I can (though I don't know which match I will be getting to watch- this or the Ashes). I must admit I am suitable excited about the India NZ match, more than I thought I would be.
Meanwhile, where is the Indian cricket blogging community? Can we get some live commenting happening somewhere sometime?
7overs- 15/3
11 comments:
Pretty? its like JP yadav in drag.
Ugly as hell.
6 down
one way or the other, pops. one way or the other. have to make the news. they could have at least waited a match before swinging so drastically from a bowling high to such abysmal lows. ugh.
I hate the way I sound, but what do i say?
are you watching it?
whats all the fuss? are they falling senselessly or is it some special bowling as well?
hmpf. am not following the ball by ball. The ashes telecast keeps coming up with pop up updated scores. think we'll make a 100?
this is scary stuff. what is one to make of this?
(and the aussies think its frustrating to see their batting lineup underperform.....)
mubarak ho
the 100 is up. we could still avoid this list (but why am I even saying that. so what if we do?)
well at least poor 'ol JPYadav has proven himself. an avergae outing with the ball, and a good one with the bat. Of course, with that promising all rounder ajit in the side, he'll always be second option...
Pained, disgusted, frustrated....and then silent acceptance...like many times before....
in some ways it was. If I was to write an update it would have to be how they were doing agood job, and I coudn't say that. I don't think I genuinely hoped though (or maybe that was a double think too!).
Silent acceptance. but what of armchair analysis (which is what we do)?. Wat can one analyse from this? what does one say? Ihaven't the foggiest.....
were you watching , ashwin?
come now, popat. he is a decent bowler. 4 down. what is this world coming to.
Well I watched only the Indian innings. The match starts 3:30am my time and I only got up in time to watch the Indian innings. There is much to analyze, but there's almost a sense of "can it get any worse?". There were tons written about the failings of the top-order, cracking under pressure, poor fielding during the Indian-Oil cup and everything that happened today was an extension to that, only a level worse. So really, as much as you sit and applaud JP Yadav and Irfan Pathan fighting a losing cause, the one thing that hit me hard was watching Ganguly and Sehwag bat. I think Yuvraj, Kaif and Dhoni played equally poor shots, but these two guys are now at a time when they really have to perform. Sehwag's performance at the top was appalling. After every waft of his where the ball missed the stumps by inches Arun Lal said "But thats the way he plays...". Is that really a reason why we should put up with his performance at the top of the order?
And if Ganguly likes to toot his 10,000 runs and 22 centuries he should bat like a man who's scored 10,000 runs and 22 centuries. I can't remember the last time he played a good innings either in tests or one-dayers. Even his 51 against SL was scratchy at best. So how much has actually changed from the Indian Oil cup? If anything it only looks like it's regressed. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround or Bond steps on stray ball somewhere. As far as I caould see, the rest of NZ attack is pedestrian at best.
By the way, I didn't see the Indian bowling. How good/bad was it?
The Indian blwing- I saw quite a bit of it. Pathan and Nehra's opening spell was excellent. Very tight, very disciplines and swinging the ball. Lots of lbws. Agarkar coming eased the pressure a bit, McMillan attacked him, Bhajji and JP. Pathan bwled his eight on the trot, and never got the chance to come back. The rest of the bowling, basically, was ok. nothing more nothing less, given they were bowling at a side already 5 down.
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