Monthly Archives: July 2009

Hughes and Hussey

Given Watson’s half-century in the first innings, Hughes may find himself out of the team for a while. And in the whole scheme of things, I don’t think this is a good thing for Australia. First, it is sure to … Continue reading

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New Faces for the Edgbaston Test

It is funny how cricket turns up the unexpected. Before the Ashes started, you would have been very comfortable laying your money on England worrying about its lineup based on form and Australia doing so on injury. How the tables … Continue reading

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End of the Mystery Spinner?

Rangana Herath’s 5-wicket haul in the last Pakistani innings of this series, while expensive, will mean a longer absence for Ajantha Mendis from the Sri Lankan team. Unless Sri Lanka plans to field three spinners in a Test, it will … Continue reading

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Homework for the Sri Lankans

Win or lose the current Test against Pakistan, Sri Lankans have a lot to think about for future series. What will be their spin attack when Murali comes back? Will it be Herath or Mendis? The Lankans left out the … Continue reading

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Flintoff and Swann Clean Up Australia

England must have had a sleepless night yesterday. Imagine losing a Test after setting a target of 522. Andrew Strauss, in particular, must have been re-thinking that declaration over and over again. With most teams, defending 200 more runs with … Continue reading

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Australia Well Placed for World Record

This is the reason why Australia is No. 1. Not South Africa. Not India. And not any of the rest. Most teams faced with a mammoth 500+ target in the last innings and two days to play would have simply … Continue reading

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Should England Have Enforced the Follow-on?

First of all, I am flabbergasted that England is even in a position that it could tell Australia to follow on. How many people would have bet on that before this game? Especially after they just managed to hang on … Continue reading

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Good England Start with Hiccups

At the beginning of the day, England would have been happy with 364/6 at stumps. But considering that they had a close-to-double-century opening partnership, they could have done much better. But most of the wickets were prised out, not thrown … Continue reading

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Surprise! Broad is Still Playing

Stuart Broad, to me, seemed the person most likely to be dropped from the team. He has been very ineffective with his bowling and England really need wicket-taking bowlers. I thought Harmison would replace him. But it seems that he … Continue reading

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The Lord’s Test

England are on a temporary high after saving the Cardiff Test against the Australians. But make no mistake – they start as overwhelming favorites to lose the Test. The Australians proved that their batting was as strong as ever and … Continue reading

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