[like a boss]

Kohli scores yet another ton.

However, it's quite worrying that India's part-time bowlers bowled far better than the specialists.

[areyouthere?]

Sri Lanka taking the place vacated by West Indies.

I cannot imagine what will happen to Sri Lanka, when Mahela and company retire.

[robotpenguin]

Kohli is becoming a great player, converting good shots to big scores. He certainly looks like a future ODI captain and test match player. He just needs to work on his temperament and composure, which would make him an all round player.

Ashwin and Zaheer seem to be the only permanent fixtures in the India bowling line up. The seam attack has so many possibilites; Yadav, Dinda, Pathan, P Kumar, V Kumar, Sreesanth and Aaron. The second spinner, which will be important later this year for India with games in both India and Sri Lanka, is also up for grabs. Ojha seems to be the most likely bowler, depending on the results of Rahul Sharma enquiry. I think Harbhajan should get another chance, as long as he is encourage to bowl aggressively and flight it up.

[Straight up G]

(Original post by robotpenguin)
Kohli is becoming a great player, converting good shots to big scores. He certainly looks like a future ODI captain and test match player. He just needs to work on his temperament and composure, which would make him an all round player.

Ashwin and Zaheer seem to be the only permanent fixtures in the India bowling line up. The seam attack has so many possibilites; Yadav, Dinda, Pathan, P Kumar, V Kumar, Sreesanth and Aaron. The second spinner, which will be important later this year for India with games in both India and Sri Lanka, is also up for grabs. Ojha seems to be the most likely bowler, depending on the results of Rahul Sharma enquiry. I think Harbhajan should get another chance, as long as he is encourage to bowl aggressively and flight it up.

I think he's very, very composed already. Chases require composure and his hundreds in the Asia Cup and at Hobart earlier this year were remarkable. Temperament, maybe, but as said before, it's that same fire which drives him. He's definitely already one of the best ODI batsmen in the world, but I'm not sure whether we'll see such brilliance from him outside of the subcontinent, though if we do, then he's on the fast track to becoming an all time great in ODIs at least. Not sure about how well he'll do in tests. I'd like to see bowlers try and strangle him a bit more. Pakistan's main fault in the 183 innings was too many wayward deliveries which he was allowed to flick through the leg side. He's got a slight tendency to go for an unnecessary drive in the offside when under a bit of pressure, I've seen him get out to it a few times, and I think if bowlers could maintain the line and length to him a bit more than they are doing then he wouldn't be quite so successful. Easier said than done I suppose.

[robotpenguin]

I agree, not sure if composure was the right word but he has a tendency to play wayward shots when he is comfortable and well set. I have seen him on a number of occasions get to 100, or get the team within touching distance and then give his wicket away. It would be nice to see him just finish the innings, but his contributions usually result in a win so it doesn't matter too much. It is difficult to strangle him because of his strong ability to play shots with confidence on both the offside and the legside. He is also a very good fielder and can bowl decent as well. He seems to be a great asset to the India team and a potential great.

[♥ ♥ ♥]

Although I'm elated with Kohli's recent form, and flurry of centuries, I am sick of playing SL and don't really rate these innings as a massive deal, considering SL aren't at their best, and that he's still playing in the subcontinent. If he managed to score like he's done against SL, against, I don't know, SA or England, in away conditions, that would be awesome.

Also, kinda sick of the ODI format too (in countries like SL, where the matches are so slow, you'd rather they'd be playing a Test match, which surprisingly, is WAAY more exciting). And again, even more unfortunate, that India have such a long home season now -.- Want to see them outside of India. Although, the last couple of times they set foot out of the subcontinent....well, I guess I'd rather not remember that.

In conclusion, want to see more Tests, outside of the subcontinent, or some ODIs not versus SL, away from home-like conditions (e.g Eng, SA, Aus). Oh and want to see Kohli's performance in the Test arena.

On a side note, can't wait to see Nohit out of the squad. Feel really bad for the poor guy, but it's time to ditch the Mumbaikar, and let Tiwary attempt to cement a place.

[Kaz310]

(Original post by ♥ ♥ ♥)
Although I'm elated with Kohli's recent form, and flurry of centuries, I am sick of playing SL and don't really rate these innings as a massive deal, considering SL aren't at their best, and that he's still playing in the subcontinent. If he managed to score like he's done against SL, against, I don't know, SA or England, in away conditions, that would be awesome.

Also, kinda sick of the ODI format too (in countries like SL, where the matches are so slow, you'd rather they'd be playing a Test match, which surprisingly, is WAAY more exciting). And again, even more unfortunate, that India have such a long home season now -.- Want to see them outside of India. Although, the last couple of times they set foot out of the subcontinent....well, I guess I'd rather not remember that.

In conclusion, want to see more Tests, outside of the subcontinent, or some ODIs not versus SL, away from home-like conditions (e.g Eng, SA, Aus). Oh and want to see Kohli's performance in the Test arena.

On a side note, can't wait to see Nohit out of the squad. Feel really bad for the poor guy, but it's time to ditch the Mumbaikar, and let Tiwary attempt to cement a place.

Agreed totally. Although its great seeing Kohli in such sublime form, I'm kind of sick of watching India play against Sri Lanka and in Asia. He's already proven hes world class on slow pitches, just would like to see Kohli as well as India improve outside of Asia on tracks where we haven't been at our greatest of late. Especially at test level. Kohli needs to prove himself at test level first, if he wants to be considered a future Indian Captain.

[robotpenguin]

Poor captaincy from Strauss in my opinion by dropping Swann. He has been vital in England's success over the past two years, in whatever conditions. Shows lack of backbone and confidence in Prior at number 6 and play Finn as fifth bowler. If any bowler should have been dropped, it should be Broad imo.

[Straight up G]

Swann has had an awful home record for a while now, something like 19 wickets in 8 matches, of which 9 came in one against India. Given that England lost 17 wickets for roughly 350 in the last match, it would have been absolute suicide to drop a batsman. It was a tough call, between Swann, Broad and Bresnan. It's Bresnan's home ground, and he adds to the batting line up (something England are very keen on) more than the other two do. Between Broad and Swann, Broad at least has had some success this year, and is arguably a better batsman. Plus obviously Headingley is a seamer's pitch. Right call from England imo, given the way that South Africa played Swann last game.

[BowzerEdwards]

Bold call from England, that at present doesn't look like paying off.

Understand the need to get Finn in the team (pace and bounce), but don't think you need both Bresnan and Broad, along with Finn and Anderson.

Bresnan and Broad are both capable with the bat; and are similar with the ball. I'd have got rid of one of them and kept Swann in the team.

[robotpenguin]

(Original post by Straight up G)
Swann has had an awful home record for a while now, something like 19 wickets in 8 matches, of which 9 came in one against India. Given that England lost 17 wickets for roughly 350 in the last match, it would have been absolute suicide to drop a batsman. It was a tough call, between Swann, Broad and Bresnan. It's Bresnan's home ground, and he adds to the batting line up (something England are very keen on) more than the other two do. Between Broad and Swann, Broad at least has had some success this year, and is arguably a better batsman. Plus obviously Headingley is a seamer's pitch. Right call from England imo, given the way that South Africa played Swann last game.

If we're going by how the South Africans played bowlers in the First Test, they should all be dropped . Broad had success against a poor Indian team in very favourable conditions. How England can be so brash in dropping a player who has been so important in taking hem to number 1, I will never know. At least Swann held up an end in the first test, whereas Broad looked listless. England are struggling atm, and could definitely do with something different. If they do not get a wicket soon, it could be another two long days in the field.
England's bowling is their strength, it has been for the past 2-3 years. The batting has let them down on a number of occasions, especially in the UAE and Sri Lanka. If England's bowling becomes weaker, they will lose a lot more matches.

[♥ ♥ ♥]

(Original post by Kaz310)
Agreed totally. Although its great seeing Kohli in such sublime form, I'm kind of sick of watching India play against Sri Lanka and in Asia. He's already proven hes world class on slow pitches, just would like to see Kohli as well as India improve outside of Asia on tracks where we haven't been at our greatest of late. Especially at test level. Kohli needs to prove himself at test level first, if he wants to be considered a future Indian Captain.

He also need to improve in T20I as well. He's done well in the IPL, which means absolutely nothing. Needs to play world-class bowling outside of India.

Yeah, can't wait for India to leave the subcontinent for the real test to begin. Although, will be funny to see if India even beat England at home first. Have a feeling England might scrap a win against us.

[TheProdigy2k9]

Shame on Finn for getting that wicket on a dead ball hahah. Didn't see much sledging from him today, shame he knocked his own stumps over more than the batsman the ****ing idiot. He's supposed to be an international bowler.

[Captain Crash]

Excellent knock by Pietersen. Brought England right back into the game. Draw is probably most likely result though.

[like a boss]

I can't understand why such flat pitches are being prepared by England. Are they afraid that the England batsmen will get knocked over once there is some good movement available for the SA bowlers? I would have loved to see a test match at Trent Bridge in super-swinging conditions, where the two bowling attacks really have a chance to show off. Instead we are getting pitches flatter than those in the sub-continent.

Maybe England wanted the series to end with no results, so they don't lose their No. 1 ranking.

[TheProdigy2k9]

(Original post by like a boss)
I can't understand why such flat pitches are being prepared by England. Are they afraid that the England batsmen will get knocked over once there is some good movement available for the SA bowlers? I would have loved to see a test match at Trent Bridge in super-swinging conditions, where the two bowling attacks really have a chance to show off. Instead we are getting pitches flatter than those in the sub-continent.

Maybe England wanted the series to end with no results, so they don't lose their No. 1 ranking.

LOL England wouldn't be able to handle them bowlers on a swinging pitch, they could barely apart from Pietersen do it on this pitch how they gonna do it on a mad pitch?

[robotpenguin]

Haha good point, I guess they are getting prepared for the flat pitches they will face later this year. I can't help but think England came into this tour with a negative mindset, and were defensive. Then, after getting smashed in the first test, they make changes which were poor in my opinion. Taylor is fine, but Finn cannot play Test match cricket until he learns to stop kicking and smashing the stumps at the bowlers end. He may have got two wickets, but they were of a night watchman and a tail ender.

[like a boss]

(Original post by robotpenguin)
Haha good point, I guess they are getting prepared for the flat pitches they will face later this year. I can't help but think England came into this tour with a negative mindset, and were defensive. Then, after getting smashed in the first test, they make changes which were poor in my opinion. Taylor is fine, but Finn cannot play Test match cricket until he learns to stop kicking and smashing the stumps at the bowlers end. He may have got two wickets, but they were of a night watchman and a tail ender.

I would have actually picked Finn from the start of the series. He is basically the same as Morne Morkel, just less experienced.

What I want to know is, where on earth is Chris Tremlett? He was a beast last time I saw him.

[Idris Dragon]

(Original post by like a boss)
What I want to know is, where on earth is Chris Tremlett? He was a beast last time I saw him.

Injured (yet again) probably

[Aky786UK]

KP, unnecessarily upping the dramatic stakes in his row with the ECB by saying he may retire from Test cricket after the next one at Lord. Man, this guy - as tremendously talented he is - needs a slap or two. He always seems to drag the attention back onto him for non-cricketing related reasons. He scored a great knock, talk about that. But he needs to build more attention onto himself and his team. Now all Strauss/his colleagues will have to answer is, is KP going to retire? A tad selfish and un-teamlike behaviour for me.