20.3.06

Cricket: The keys with the English

First Innings:
England: 400 all out
Strauss: 128 | Santh:4 for 70
India:279 all out
Dhoni: 64 | Anderson:4 for 40
Second Innings:
England: 31 for 2
Santh: 1 for 10


The English may not be in the driving seat but they still seem to have the key to winning the match and have the series drawn. It is easier said then done. The English need to prove their tag of being the favourites to win this match. The possibility of not having the result is nil. The English need to play some positive game to see what the end of the tunnel is.

Just a quick re-take of this Sunday.
Try reading through these lines. The big boys of their sports have taken a bit of beating.
Chelsea loose to Fulham. (1-Nil final score)
Schumacher no way near the podium. (No Ferrari on the podium)
Tendulkar scores unity and India in disarray.

Day Three, Wankhede.
The Indians started with the worst possible start. Yuvraj Singh got out without adding much to his overnight score. Laxman would have done better then him. Kaif well, he is a perfect fit for this theme of cricket. Kaif has better control over his urge to play some big cover drive and cuts. Whatever Yuvraj did last night was wilted away very soon in the morning. I agree to the fact that pressure on him would have been immense. The bowling was to his liking. He struggles against the spinners. He will do so for most of the time. He struck some boundaries and reduced the pressure on his captain. I wonder what kind of game he will have if he comes when the first wicket falls say after sixty or seventy runs. The new ball would have been blunted and then he may settle in and play a few more strokes. At most times, he is on the crease so early that there is hardly anytime. He was patient as always and made a sedated but classic half century. When you see Dravid, one feels that he should rotate the strike more. I wonder why he does not do so and is often stuck at one end of the pitch. Yuvraj dismissal saw M.S.D. onto the crease. He was his usual self; hitting deliveries to all parts. Dravid was dismissed for 52.
M.S.D. took on Flintoff head on. He hit Flintoff and sometimes Flintoff hit him. He was hit with the terrible bouncer on the back of the head just behind the ear. He was up and smiling. He then took on and compiled a very crucial 64. Pathan came in and showed some patience to curtail his flare. He was out to a good orthodox spin bowling. M.S.D. looked cool and hit Flintoff for three successive boundaries and then tried taking a risky single, which proved to be suicidal. He was declared run-out in doubtful circumstances.

India’s tail wags.
Whatever runs Kumble and Sree Santh made were very crucial. If the had not done so England would be sitting pretty with a lead of over 150. It was not to be. A crucial ninth wicket partnership has saved India from many blushes. Sree Santh played straight and managed to pick up boundaries. Flintoff tested him with a bouncer and he was struck straight on the helmet. They managed some invaluable runs and picked up some crucial momentum. The Indian innings soon came to the end after Kumble was leg before to Monty and Patel bowled of a classic yorker by Anderson.

Close Shaves.
The English had to see of the last session off with more than an hour remaining. The Indians managed to chip out two English wickets. They could have couple more. Then the story would be very interesting. I watched Sunil Gavaskar on Sports Centre and he was convinced that India can surely come back to win this test. Shaun Udal was lucky to be still there. India has a big day tomorrow. The one thing they have to do is to hold on to any opportunity that comes there way. Kumble holds all the trump card. If we manage couple of wickets tomorrow then this Test match will be a nail biter. India has to restrict the English below 150 to be safe and secure a firm grip on this match.

2 comments:

Ar Ar Ar Arrrrr said...

Today aftanoon while we guys were working at the clients place, someone enlightened me with the cricket knowledge afta I asked a beautiful Q to him...

He: latest score heard - 180/9
Me: Is India playing?
He: Dont talk to me...
Me: No tell me...Whts going on? Test? One-day..what?
He: Test is going on!!
Me: How many have we won before
He: First was draw...2nd we won...3rd, think that they are going to win...you dumb a$$

My friends luv me when we talk about cricket :)

Tarun said...

@ Arz000n: I am missing the plot :( and a bit confused over this.Kindly take some time off to explain.