The Second Test in the 2023 Border/Gavaskar trophy series begins tomorrow at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Play is scheduled to commence at 3.00pm AEDT with India leading the series 1-0 after a smashing victory in Nagpur last week.
The state of the two teams could hardly be more contrasting. India is riding the crest of a very large wave, having won every aspect of the First Test. I suspect that India’s psychological victory will prove to be just as important as the batting, bowling and fielding wins in Nagpur. Now, their squad for this match is strengthened with the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer. They must be salivating in expectation.
The Australians seem to be in disarray after just a single loss, albeit a bad one. Is Warner ‘gone’ just weeks after his double century in Sydney? If he is yesterday’s man, who takes his spot at the top of the order? Renshaw? Surely Head must play after his incredible omission from the First Test. Do either or both of Hanscomb and Renshaw get another chance? And what about the bowlers? If Green is still not fully recovered, then is it three quicks and two spinners (with Head as backup), or two quicks and three spinners? If it’s to be two quicks, then Cummins and which other? Starc and Hazlewood have no match fitness. Is the GOAT under pressure to hold his place after being out bowled by the rookie Murphy? Kuhnemann been flown in but what message does Agar get if the Bulls spinner gets picked? Mitchell Swepson is the lucky one – he’s come home for the birth of a child.
I don’t think we’ll know the Australian line-up much before the toss. And will it matter anyway given the flogging they copped last week? How bad are the scars inflicted by an innings defeat? Imagine trying to turn it all around in front of a heaving Indian crowd intent on continuing the Australians’ pain!
2-0 by Tuesday, I’d say.
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About Ian Hauser
A former teacher with a (very) modest sporting CV enjoying his retirement years. A Queenslander through and through, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, McWilliam's Cream Apera and a glass or three of wine. Footy Almanac's Thursday online editor who moonlights as a hobby editor.
Ian,
Like Cassandra, your gift is being able to foresee the future but, like hers, your curse is nobody will believe you.
Hey comrade, did you also spurn Apollo’s amorous advances way back in the olden times too eh? If they are like ours, your kids would certainly think you are old enough to have been around back then.
Anyway, you must surely have done something to inherit her curse.
RDL
Well day 1 is now over. Once again the Indian bowlers are really impressive. Bowling at the stumps has given many rewards with LBW’s and bowled predominant.Warner again failed, but at least his scores are going in the right direction – 1, 10, 15 and he did put on a 50 run opening partnership with Uzzie. Manus once again looked in fine touch but then was out LBW. Worse was to follow with Smith lasting only 2 balls for a duck and Askwin had 2 wickets in an over. Soon after hitting Ashwin for a glorious 6, Head was gone for 12, but to one of the quicks. A late surge from Cummins, wit 33 that included 2 sixes was a welcome return to batting form from our captain. We saw a really fine attacking innings from Uzzie with a return to form 81only to be dismissed by a feakish catch. The good news was Australia passed the 250 runs but the commentators thought it was around 50 to 60 runs short.
Well is it stumps for David Warner? Let’s see how Travis Head bats here. He finished day two with a flourish but there’s still a fair bit more required.
Cam Green, Mitchell Starc: what are their roles in the next two tests?
Like many people I don’t understand the selection of Ashton Agar. He failed to flatter in the recent SCG test he played, yet he was picked as our left arm option. Yet all of a sudden Kuhnemann is flown across, straight into a test berth. Kuhnemann bowled reasonably but do you pick him in the next two tests?
Strange tour, like so many of our tours to the sub-continent. Who plays, why they play, what tactics are used, all seem hard to follow.
Anyhow by the time my comment gets posted we are awaiting the start of the third day. If we can add another 250 , (who gets the big score, Head?) it will give the bowlers something to work with. Come on Aussie !
Glen!
A most absorbing day 2 of the match. The big news is, of course, the subbing out of Warner due to concussion. Also having a sore arm means it’s unlikely he gets to play another match against India.Surely it’s time for him to gracefully retire. After looking likely to be around 100 runs behind, India’s tail enders once again frustrated Captain Cummins to get within a single run of Australia. It took another fine catch, and we have seen many of them this test, to dismiss Uzzie, before Head and Manus set about increasing Australia’s lead. Going at 5 runs an over, it was most entertaining from the pair. The big question remains – can they keep it up ? PS, a special mention to Nathan Lyon, who was back roaring, with 5 wickets.
So many possibilities for day 3. How many can we get? How many will we need? India bat very deep. 200 might be enough and 300 might not. Big opportunity for a little redemption.
Well what a difference a session can make! Lunch on Day 3 and Australia has folded with India now requiring only 100runs with 9 wickets left. As the commentators love to say there could be a few twists left in this match.
Either way it will an absorbing and decisive middle session. Somehow I feel a draw is unlikely!
My odds-
Draw- 500 to 1
Tie- 100 to 1
India victory – 75% chance
Aust victory- 25% chance (optimistic but entirely possible)
Nathan Lyon has proven he might still be our Number 1 spinner and theres still life in the Goat.
I think Murphy will also be a key and Head might play a role.
Like all classic matches it has some interesting sub-plots as well. Has David Warner played his final Test?
.
Well it’s all over bar and once more Australia caved in. Where to now. Even if Green, Starc and Hazlewood are fit they will have had no preparation. I think Green at least must come in. As it stands now, Australia is deeply embarrassed. Hopefully we can last for more than 2 and 2 thirds days in the 3rd test.
Watched a bit of local golf this morning. Had a couple of beers with an ample sausage sizzle for a late lunch. Home before the start with great expectations. Saw Head get out on Kayo. Had my (usual in the circumstances) nana nap. Looked at a first session highlights Kayo special. Could not watch any more after lunch as the result was inevitable. Perused the Cricinfo scoreboard and commentary to get a gauge on what happened (well after it would have finished). Fed the dogs, got some tea and went onto TFA. Devastated (and pissed off).