Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

India's Test preparation starts today, with a three day game v champions Essex. Apparently a day was shed because it is hot! Pack those ice vests India.

This is India's only warm up game. They often seem averse to practice out in the middle.

Kicks off at 11am, BST.

Hopefully an eleven a side match.

Looks like 13v18.

No interest to be had here then.

the key point being they not playing the game for you arthur or the pathetic english journalist that thankfully haven't made the trip to chelmsford.

Bit of an odd one these games.

None of our spinners have bowled really.

Pujara horribly out of nick and may play.

Pant in good form but a punt won't be taken.

Pandya is an ineffective 3rd/4th seamer and we are better off playing Jaddu and Ashwin in these conditions.

I am expecting a big loss. I'll be at some of the test if any of you guys are around

Umesh Yadav bowled well.

Ravi bopara leaked it couple of days ago the reason why India cancel a day of the tour match was because they were not happy with the Essex team they wanted, Harmer, Siddle, Bopara, Ryan Ten Doeschate to play and if they were not playing they didn't want the tour game to take place.
He said the Essex Ceo rang him the day before to ask him to play the match.

Got to say nice one BCCI if it was the case, you need to use your political clout and money clout to get the best teams you can in the warm up games.

Some of the warm up games ECB and Counties provide are a joke.
if they don't provide adequate stuff kill them where it hurts.

Might explain why Essex were so nice in providing the pitch Shastri and india wanted during the game as well.
never seen a touring game pitch prepared to the liking to the touring team before.


BCCI need to play hard ball here anyway since ECB won't get involved unless the Ashes are involved and they only doing that because they want strong warm up games in Australia before the ashes.