Hi! Ananth,
HOWZAT 1 for NoNE Is this going to be the test of tests?

OH! Dear Ananth,
Golly Golly Gosh 2 for 30 , has there been a turn of events or are we just giving you a chance to save a little face?

Dear Trev,
You are right - oh my gosh India is going thongs and hammer against the Aussies!. 210 for 3. Big shame aint it? Tell me Trev - why should India be made to take 15 Aussie wickets per innings and the Aussies can take just 9 of the Indians? I am sorry but Pointing was out and so was Symonds on two ocassions - once stumped and once caught behind. Even the Aussie crowd accepted it!! Lets face it India was playing against the 11 players and the three umpires. If India had been playing against the 11 - the Aussies would not have got beyond 175!
I truly hope and wish that Sachin and Saurav play the role of their lives and beat the hell out of the Aussies - regardless of what the umpires think - by not giving them a chance to get a chance to take a desecion and yes - they play as if it were the mother of all tests they have played!!

Come on Trev - give India its due or the men in gold and green pray for rain. Thats the only way they are going to stop India.

Love,
Ananth

Dear Trev,
Stop rubbing your eyes - India has surpassed the Aussies and are still batting. They did prove their point to Pointing, "Sigh"mond is lost in the Indians centuries. Can you imagine? After bowling out Australia out when they were playing 15 players - the (umpires) three who created the damage have been badly hit. Oh, Oh !! leading by 17 runs....

Did Laxman, Sachin, Rahul(though out of form) and Surav and the surprise - Harbajan really rubbed in - what do you say mate?

Ananth

Hi! Ananth,
Yes I'll give India their dues, they are a force to be reckoned with BUT we are still 1up and I perceive this test will go to a draw and eventhough Australia will miss out on 16 wins in a row at least they will be victors overall. As for the umpiring I like you think it is very bad and some decisions have been way off, but that is something that has to be sorted out internally, as there were bad decisions on both sides. Ponting apart from being a good skipper is not performing with the bat as he should and it takes someone like Symonds to get us out of the mire.

Take care my good friend and come on the Aussies.

Dear Trev,
This actually goes to show what kind of a mind set the Aussies have. Even loosing wickets at regular intervals , they still manage to score more then just a decent score and that it seld deflates the opposition. I feel for this test though - as cricket is a funny game and wickets at time fall like ten pins - there can be only two options - a draw or an Indian win.
Pointing refuses to be Harbajans bunny but yet once again he was Harbajans victam. I think he has this mind set about Harbajan and thats what gets him. His form has been more or less like that of Rahul Dravid. Rahul really pushed himself to the limit to cross the 50 run mark - but that should make him feel much more relaxed and am looking forward to his batting in the second innings. Saurav and Sachin are almost unbeatable at the moment and even the others except those who matter are chipping in (Dhoni etc). The way Dhoni is playing I wonder if he will be retained as the captain for the one dayers. I honestly do not see Australia going for a win keeping well in mind that everyone at the top are firing - Laxman, Rahul, Saurav and Sachin, with our dear friend Harbajan doing his bit. Even the youngster Nishant is doing a good job and is just 19. He will just keep getting better and am sure he will be nutured after his performance down under. He bowled very well and did his cameo with the bat to get Sachin past his 150 mark. Its unfortunate that Sachin ran short of partners or else he was on the path to put up another record of sorts - (averaging 330+) at the SCG is amazing and he has never been dismissed at this venue.
The other factor that the Indians do have in their favor is the pitch which is fast crumbling and if it carries on in the ame way tomorrow - it may just spell doom for the Aussies. Again this is very hypotical as they have already scored a decent amount even after loosing four wickets.If Symonds carries on like he did in the first innings - anything can happen. Lets wait this one out.

The umpiring has been a misery and with Bucknor - its not just this time but this kind of thing has been going on for quite some time. I wonder why the third umpire was called for when Symonds was on 20 and he nicked the ball on Nishants delivery - one where he too claimed (later though) he had done so. Even the Aussie supporters were shocked at the umpiring and in fact thats the reason I was talking about the Aussies playing 15 players against Indias 11. I think its time Steve Buckner called it a day.
I have hardly been sleeping as I find the match more interesting then getting shut eye and though I am tired - I am going to see the matches through.
So, Trev - lets see which flag stays high at the end of this test. I dont have to say come on to the men in blue as they are already doing their bit.
Love,
Ananth

Hi Cricket lovers. Yes i always knew the aussies were cheaters and not many honest ones amongst them. I didnt get to see the Test match but it didnt surprise me to learn about the aussies antics. It should be them who get the ban not Harbajan who is a wonderful cricketer. I fully support the Indians in their suspension of the tour and hope the matter gets resolved.

Hello Russ,
This I think is the first time that all of India has been so united and the Aussies have got it back what they have been doing to every other team in the world and they cannot take it. The umpiring was not umpring at all - as everyone say - it was 14 playing against 11. Pointing is nothing but a cheat and he has the audocity to say that there was no problem that he and kumble could have settled after complaining to the 14th. - Proctor. Its amazing that Proctor choose to accept Pointings & Cos view then that of Sachin Tendulkar who is an absolute legend and is known so well for his fair play and Kumble who has been playing for so many years to take such a stance. I am really happy Sachin convinced the entire India side to rally around Harbajan.
I dont care if Pointing is sacked or not - it is Australias problem as he has already shown what the Aussies are made of and as Akram called the "cry babys".
For all reasons though on paper Australia won the match, India is the side which won in reality and I for one think the Aussies were trashed and now that there are changes - India should turn on the heat. Its just GO INDA!

I have a lot of respect for the Aussies but the behaviour of Ponting in that test was unacceptable.

has he ever heard of winning with dignity?

robert

In spite of any problems with the umpiring, the Indian team managed to get so, so close in Sydney. The best thing they can do now is really turn up the heat in Perth and don't give an inch.
There has been much discussion in the media here about players not walking etc ~ lots of disappointment because it is not the way we like to be percieved, as not playing fair. Sorry everyone!
Bring it on in Perth and lets see a really exciting, professional game.
Love to all
Deborah

I think it was high time someone stood up and looked at the Aussies in their eyes and gave it to them and I am glad it was the Indians. I really liked what Kumble post match regarding only one side playing in the spirit.
Yes - win but not by cheating which was so blatant for the world to see. Clark ( the pup) was to be the next captain?? Well Pointing was giving him excellent lessons. Symonds needs some education (I wonder if he ever went to school??) We all know about Pointings reputation over the years. If there is one good man in the Aussie side is Gilchrist - even though he stood up for his mates - he is one player who walks when he knows he is out.

I will always mantain - Australia never won the Sydney test - they cheated their way through. Lets see what new games the cheats play in Perth or will they try and get rid of the tag?

(Hope Ananth doesn't mind the mid-bit being edited to keep message on topic of cricket and avoid Our Zorro does shoot from the hip! )

Hold on Perth - India has come of age. I hope they really go all out and show what happens when the tables are turned as they are at the moment!!!
Ananth

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

I have an idea that the ICC should introduce. Fines for players who are proved to have hit the ball and refuse to walk and every low catch should go straight to the third umpire who has every single camera angle the the Tv coverage has and anyone claiming a catch which is proven to be not out should be fined. Good luck India i will be supprting you all the way.

Dear, Russ, Trev and Dr. Joshi,

First of all I am sorry I went a bit or rather a lot overboard with my feelings on the Sydney match.I am also glad that Dr. Joshi got it in time to edit it as this post would also have become like that mad post I posted.

I just feel that both the captains should agree on scrapping the deal of walking if the player he is out or not. I feel if the two umpires are not able to take a proper decesion- it should be the third umpire to intervene. I have no idea ahy either Bucknor or Benson did not ask the third umpire for those controvetial decesions against Rahul and Ganguly and what they could make out or understand what Harbajjan or Symonds said to each other. Mike Procter needs to get himself examined and be charges all his match feel for the ass he made of himself - by accepting the reasoning of the Aussies and disregarding that of Sachin - who was right next to Bajji when the whole incident took place and is known more then anyone else for his fairplay. I am also glad the whole country stood by the Indian players and I also think the message that Sachin sent to the Board was very fair - drop all the charges of quit the other tests and ODIs' and return home. The ICC had no options and all this time - India would take all that was dished down meekly. Not now and ICC has realised that. It will not just affect the cricket in Australia but will also hurt some players individually in regard to their endorsements. It is really good to see the entire nation rally around the team and praise the loss(or win!).

Now its time for the next test and lets see how the Aussies play, lets see if Hogg is allowed to play and what tricks do the Aussies have up their sleeves now - as they are sleevless. Lets see the results of what every Indian is waiting for - justice in the third test. Lets see if the pack of wolves ( as in the newspapers)become small"pups" or ordinary dogs. Lets see how the Indians- the underdogs shape out in Perth. I am not going to miss even a minute of the match and as every other Indian will - CHAK DE INDIA!!!Love,
ANANTH

Hi! Ananth,
I feel that i need to put my feelings across to the Cricket saga and do so with not much experience in the matter.
My thoughts about the "Sledging" is that I think there should be "fines" placed on players for the type of sledging and this would be easy with all the camera's and microphones that are on and of the Pitch. also the use of the 3rd umpire should be used as they do in the "limited overs games", even though this would slow the game down ( and its slow enough as it is), after awhile the players would stop there screaming and concentrate on the game. Secondly "What has happened to the Gentlemans game of Cricket?" why is it that a player will stand there waiting for the Umpire to give them OUT when they Know they are out, why not just walk. I saw a game in the 70s when John Snow walked when he thought he was out and the umpire told him NO so the next ball he played straight to one of our team members who caught him out, then he walked, after the game they all laughed about it together in the members bar of the Sth Australian Cricket Club Rooms, I saw this as I was a member then and never missed a game.
I must however say I do think Symonds is a fantastic player and should go far, Ponting I reserve my decision as I feel he is too inexperienced to be the Captain, however I think Clarkey would be a better choice.
That is my feelings about the current situation and though I believe that India have been harshly dealt with, I still think that you don't have a hope of winning any of the rest of the Games ( cut my tongue out if I am wrong ), so keep on rooting for your side and I'll Root for mine.
Happy Sledging
Love TREV ( The not so expert Cricket follower )

Hi. Im so so so so so so so so so so so glad that India won the last test against Australia and shut the damn cheats up. Its funny you know that when a batsmen edges he wont walk yet if he edges on his pad and it goes for a run he makes sure that he claims it. A few years ago the ICC brought in The Spirit Of Cricket but it does not mention Walking which i beleive it should. I dont mind being corrected if Im wrong. Like I have said before they should bring a rule where if a batsmen doesnt walk and its proved he hit it he should be then fined and the same for when a fielder claims a catch when it wasnt. I would also do the same for when a bowler consistently bowls front foot no balls say more than 6 an innings?