India's game plan going into this test was simple enough - bat once, bat big and bat England out of the test and the series.
And for this, India needed to bat- for time and runs.
Every run scored by India is a run that England has to top and every over consumed by India is one less over for England to establish themselves on the game.
India did a fair job in this regard - 316/4 in 90 overs is testimony to that. However, England has kept itself in contention with timely wickets - Jaffer just after the first drinks interval, Dravid and Karthik just before the tea interval and Ganguly just before the new ball was due.
Talking of playing for time and runs, I think Sachin Tendulkar has done a sterling job so far for India. By scoring 48 not out in 132 balls played over 3+ hours means that the runs, overs and hours have been taken care of thus far.
The onus is on India now to consolidate even further on Day 2. The trick is in playing for at least 150 overs which will put India's score in the region of 525-550 given the current rate of scoring. Any additional sessions/runs are a huge bonus.
Alternatively, England will look to stem the rot with the new ball first thing tomorrow morning. Limit India to less that 450 and England will have time on their side. And with conditions supposed to be their best on Days 2 and 3, any score less than 450 should not challenge the Poms to any great extent.
All to play for then. Roll on Day 2.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Test 3 Day1 - India consolidate
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15 comments:
The Indian team is looking pretty much strong at the moment, They might edged past the England side, England miss their key players. Should be a relief for India to win the test series.
So you're back on blog after 9 full days!!! What were you doing all these days?
You have not mentioned anything about Howel's howlers!! We would have lost just 3 wickets had Howel not shafted Dada so shockingly!! It was disgrace to give a batsman out twice in two innings wrongly!
I hope we don't get any more 'Howlers'. Otherwise the England is very much in the match at the moment. Dhoni is not in good nick and and last 4 wickets are walking wickets.
So this is potentially our last batting pair. Will they be able to bat for 60 more overs??
BAD BAD UMPIRING.......WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2 DOWN INSTEAD OF 4...
SACHIN AND KARTIK....VERY UNLUCKY...AND THAT TOO.....IN BOTH TEST MATCHES !!
As things stand, either England could succeed in the scenario you suggested for them or India could creep over the 500 mark.
Kumble, RP and Zaheer should be good enough for 40-50 runs in these conditions and in partnership with Dhoni could easily be worth almost double that.
Ugyen,
Relief yes, but vindication also :)
Chandan,
Apologies.. had nothing to write and was getting a kick reading the POms get thier knickers in a knot over "Jelly Gate" and "Breamer Break Dancer ".
As regards the umpiring, what sense does it make to keep harping on that? Gets us no where besides a bad bout of acidity and High blood pressure :)
Anonymous,
Thanks for your comments.
We will take it as long as we win the series :)
Cheers to that Soulberry. As I type this, India's score reads 547/7 with Kumble on 48 :)
Make that 75 no to Kumble! And India's almost shaking hands with 600.
If RP Singh does a Hove here...it could be very entertaining.
76, Can Kumble get 24 runs more?
e got it! India return home with a series in their pocket and just one century to their name. I bet not many would have drawn Kumble's name for that century...even when dead drunk!
Bravo Old Vet, keep on tonking! But now it's time to think about winning this game.
Vaughan would probably still go for a win..and therein lies our only chance of a 2-0 on this otherwise dead wicket.
Homer and others,
I can't tell you how happy I am today. I for one seriously doubted if India could go past 500. But they scored more than 650!! I'm disappointed that none of our main batsmen could score century, but as long as India scores 664, I won't mind if everyone gets out even in 90s!!
I think he can Soulberry :).. Supe batting day for India..
Amit,
The sun is out.. the wicket will break.. And there are 3 days to go.. And England bat last...Odds of them forcing a positive result is right there next to impossible :)
Chandan,
But an Indian did get to three figures.. And what a ton :)
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