SA tour of India, Sept 29-Dec 7

[mikesiva]

Ashwin with a five-fer...India in command of this, I think.

[Aidan11]

Ashwin with a five-fer...India in command of this, I think.

Yep, as long as they don't do anything crazy and spark a batting collapse.

[Dr Cricket]

yep quite possible with both team literally only playing 4 batsman each with the keeper at 6 with both either being *modded* with the bat or inexperience at this level and then a long tail.

[Dilbert]

I don't think a wicket should be categorized sub standard or bad just because it turns a lot from day 1. Its the same as a seaming wicket or playing under swinging conditions... where the batsman finds life equally difficult. Spin is an art, just like swing. As long as the bounce is fairly even, an unplayable delivery is because of the spin, which is fair.
This wicket seems good enough for test cricket, we will actually get a gripping contest and a result unlike the Aus match where the batsmen made merry and the opposition is wilting under scoreboard pressure rather than bowling skills.

Another point worth noting is that both the teams are playing 5 bowlers. Also, the SA batsmen (apart from Amla and ABDV) don't have experience of playing on turning wickets. So these low scores are expected. Also the Indian batsmen are not in form... Kohli is struggling recently, so is Dhawan. Pujara just came back into the side.

[The Professor]

Quote from Ashwin: "It's not a track where you spin and get 5-wkts. You have to work on variations and pitch it right"

[hopeforthebest]

Elgar "Not a good cricket wicket"

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-sou ... 37343.html

[meninblue]

I like the way our team fought in this test. Bowled out for 201 but ensured Saffers were dismissed for less. With lead of 142 runs and 8 wickets intact, hopefully our batsmen will score enough for our 3 spin attack bowling in second innings.

[The Professor]

A decent batsman should be able to bat in all conditions. Why must we blame the pitch and not the skill of the batsman who struggle with spin?

With the exception of Amla, Elgar and ABDV all the other South African batsmen have looked clueless against spin.

The turn of the pitch is slowing down as the day progresses. Way some countries get an advantage is by developing a pitch that is peculiar to them in some way.

With all due respect to HFTB opinion there is no rule or belief that a ball cannot or should not turn on the pitch from day one.

[backfootpunch]

Has there ever been a batsmen who scored a higher percentage of his runs with edges than murali vijay

[mikesiva]

Tahir and Harmer take four-fers to get South Africa back in this....

What exactly was the logic behind Philander opening the batting?

[hopeforthebest]

The batting in this game is making England's middle order look good.

[mikesiva]

The batting in this game is making England's middle order look good.

Amla gone for a duck...the weight of expectation is all on DeVilliers' shoulders now. South Africa seem to have come into this match a batsman light. On this pitch, they didn't need five bowlers. Duminy to come in for the next Test?

[dan08]

The batting in this game is making England's middle order look good.

Amla gone for a duck...the weight of expectation is all on DeVilliers' shoulders now. South Africa seem to have come into this match a batsman light. On this pitch, they didn't need five bowlers. Duminy to come in for the next Test?

If he's fit, Duminy will definitely play.

[mikesiva]

De Villiers gone now...100 looks a long way off. Van Zyl coming in at six...maybe that's why Philander opened the batting. Did van Zyl miss some time on the field due to injury?

This wicket brings back memories of that famous pitch where Hirwani had that fantastic debut.

[hopeforthebest]

This is not a pitch where you can grind your way to 218 runs, occasional positive strokes have to be attempted.