India tour of Australia, Nov 21 - Jan 18

[meninblue]

Finally a good decision to sack the remaining two worst non-performers in our team.. the openers. Not sure how many innings back our openers gave a 100 runs partnership.
Agarwal deserved a chance given he has scored runs for domestic as well as India A. Now if he grabs this opportunity then he will get many home series (ZIM,Bangaldesh, WI, South Africa are touring for test series) to bat in next year!!

Both Rahul and Vijay will be unable to play the last round of Ranji Trophy as they won't return back from Australia on time before the round starts (Jan 7 - Jan 10). Their teams Karnataka (Rahul) and Vijay (Tamil Nadu) will not make Ranji knockouts so they will miss on long format matches. Then the season with LIST A matches starts apart form the Irani Trophy (both Rahul and VIjay may get to play in the match which will challenge Ranji winners). That's the only domestic game we might see them in long format. The other matches could be when England Lions tour India. They could get a match or two in 4 day matches during that tour. So not much to stage a comeback to international test soon. However, Rahul will be part of ODI and T20i, so he will miss India A FC matches. Vijay can play India A tours and then with Essex in COunty if he is still in contract with them.

[alfie]

I don't have a problem with either team's selection . India can't do any worse in the opening pair , Jadeja is a no-brainer ; and if Australia wants to keep the three main quicks through four Tests it makes sense to get them some part time pace relief - however limited in effectiveness. Not as if they're losing much in Handscomb's batting though they may miss his catching...

[backfootpunch]

Looks like a road so far unfortunately

[bigfluffylemon]

Hadn't realised this was a 10.30 start - I just switched on expecting it to be 11...

[sussexpob]

Looks like a road so far unfortunately

Not put it on as about to go to bed, but Cricinfo seems to suggest the pitch has some grass on it, and Paine seemed happy to bowl.

[backfootpunch]

Looks like a road so far unfortunately

Not put it on as about to go to bed, but Cricinfo seems to suggest the pitch has some grass on it, and Paine seemed happy to bowl.

Been 9 overs with a brand new ball

Haven't seen one move in the air or off the seam

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wicket for Cummins. Who has had the best SR of the Aussie bowlers this year (see NZ match thread).

[Arthur Crabtree]

Mayank Agarwal has been in exemplary form in Ranji since last 2 seasons and also has done well on A tours this year. He deserves a chance even though he has weakness against a full paced delivery at stumps.

Sounds like a big weakness!

Good start for Adi's boy.

[GarlicJam]

Looks like a road so far unfortunately

Not put it on as about to go to bed, but Cricinfo seems to suggest the pitch has some grass on it, and Paine seemed happy to bowl.

Been 9 overs with a brand new ball

Haven't seen one move in the air or off the seam

Not even some 12 overs later.

Cummins got his wicket through through consistent line, varying length and effort.

It certainly hasn't behaved like has been forecast and expected. Even 2 days ago, they were talking of a win toss, bowl first pitch..

[GarlicJam]

Mayank Agarwal has been in exemplary form in Ranji since last 2 seasons and also has done well on A tours this year. He deserves a chance even though he has weakness against a full paced delivery at stumps.

Sounds like a big weakness!

Good start for Adi's boy.

Hopefully the Aus pacers are followers of Adi.

[yuppie]

A great position for India on what seems to be a difficult pitch to bat on.

[bigfluffylemon]

No lateral movement at all. Slow, so difficult to score if the bowling is tight, but very little in it for the bowlers to make a wicket.

Kohli was dropped a few overs before the close, but to be fair to Paine, it was a pretty tough chance.

[Arthur Crabtree]

India not so far ahead that Australia can't quickly get on top. Not many wickets, but not many run.

[meninblue]

Mayank Agarwal has been in exemplary form in Ranji since last 2 seasons and also has done well on A tours this year. He deserves a chance even though he has weakness against a full paced delivery at stumps.

Sounds like a big weakness!

Good start for Adi's boy.

Not really a fan of his but he has had a nice debut.The best by Indian in Australia.He played well in first session with hardly any bad shot.

The bouncer was tough to handle as the balls did not go over head even after ducking as the bounce was low. So he got hit twice - once on head on left side and once on shoulder. Overall he has played the best opening innings for us this series. Another 50 and he will be preferred as opening partner for Prithvi.

[meninblue]

Mayank Agarwal has been in exemplary form in Ranji since last 2 seasons and also has done well on A tours this year. He deserves a chance even though he has weakness against a full paced delivery at stumps.

Sounds like a big weakness!

Good start for Adi's boy.

Hopefully the Aus pacers are followers of Adi.

Aussies Think tank would have been better off if they followed Kiwis A bowlers Hamish Bennett, Lockie and Matt bowling to him in ODI earlier this month on A tour to NZ and tried to simulate that bowling. They troubled him and he looked unconvincing during his stay at wicket. He did manage to score quite okay in long format though.

Today he totally avoided the hook and pull in first session. Few blows on body but he fought it.