Australia and India face off in the second Test cricket match at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting today. The big questions are, can India fight back? Can Sachin Tendulkar score that hundredth century? Can Ricky Ponting get a century of his own?
India’s eventual loss in Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test was unexpectedly meek, after having been in strong positions during the match’s second and third innings. They subsided in the fourth, and will be extremely keen to restore pride.
India’s batting stars have fearsome records at the MCG, with Tendulkar averaging 221 runs at the venue after three centuries in four Tests, including a double-hundred, and four not-out innings out of seven. He has three low scores of 4, 12, and 45, but having passed that 45 mark, has never been dismissed at the SCG.
VVS Laxman has also scored three hundreds at the ground, his coming from just three Tests. Without the not-outs, he averages in the 90s at the SCG, in what is still an imposing record. He looked in poor touch at the MCG, but also has a miserable career record at that ground, so a revival can by no means be ruled out.
Australia’s hopes will rest on its rejuvenated fast bowling trio. Already the hype has been reaching maximum, with various pundits claiming the Melbourne win as the start of a dynasty and the beginnings of what could be the world’s best pace attack. A more circumspect mind might suggest we wait until they’ve played more than one Test together before nominating James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, and Ben Hilfenhaus as world-beaters, particularly considering that England made the latter two look innocuous during last year’s Ashes.
Nevertheless, Pattinson’s rise has been meteoric, with two man-of-the-match awards in his three Tests to date, and his comrades look different bowlers to twelve months ago. Siddle especially has relished being made leader of the attack after Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris fell away due to injury.
There’s also the question of Australia’s batting frailties. The home side will be hoping David Warner and Ed Cowan can continue their promising starts, and that Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting can at least match their results from Melbourne. Scrutiny will be on skipper Michael Clarke, after a few poor scores, and Shaun Marsh, after a forgettable Melbourne match.
Depending how grassy the pitch and how cloudy the sky, India may bowl first if they win the toss. Australia is likely to bat regardless, so the only intrigue will centre around Dhoni’s decision should the coin fall his way.
Tune in with Geoff Lemon shortly before play begins at 10.30, and join in the commentary conversation over the course of the day, and of course over the next five. Scroll down to the Comments section to find the live blog, and to add your responses.
Euan Donegan
Guest
Duncan Fletcher he somehow is a jinx or bad coach.England lost under his coaching and so are India GET RID OF DUNCAN FLETCHER AS INDIA COACH.Why India are not doing well is because of Duncan Fletcher coaching them.He should resign....Remember when he coached England they had lost a string of matches.A year ago [ after the WINDIES tour success] India were the best and as soon as Duncan Fletcher took over as coach things went wrong.Sir Ian Botham said [During the Indian cricket league] that Fletcher should leave India team as they are ,but looks like he`s made a mess up like he did with England.India lost in England 2011 and looks like they are to be beaten again possibly 3-0 or even 4-0 against Australia.SACK DUNCAN FLETCHER he`s rubbish
Zac Zavos
Editor
Day two's live scores and commentary is here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/04/australia-vs-india-scg-test-live-scores-and-commentary-day-2/
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I have to admit, I initially thought it was clean bowled as well.
malibu77
Guest
Tendulkar inside edges a wide one into his stumps and Tony Greig exclaims "clean bowled him". Can someone please pension him off? Every bowled for him is "clean bowled" regardless of what it came off, like the batsmans bat. Please Tony, read up on the definition of "clean", and then give it away. You are so annoying!
boes
Roar Pro
Its early in the year but "Errol Flynn moustache cavalier" would have to be my favourite phrase of 2012.
geno
Guest
Interesting fact Sachin Tendulkar played against Geoff Marsh in the 91-92 tour, before Geoff was dropped. Now Sachin is playing against his son who may also be starting to feel the pressure.
Dckiwi
Guest
Well played Australia .. The real hero has to be craig McDermott. He seems to be guiding his bowlers very well .....the Indian top order has been shocking though and appear to be old and unable to handle the bounce ...Australia could take on England so
The Cattery
Roar Guru
A run rate of 76.7 for Ponting/Clarke partnership seems pretty good.
Harry
Guest
Well the old boy hasn't lasted long in recent times (Joburg, Brissy) when he's come back in the morning after playing well the day before so I'll say he'll be out early for 51. Advantage Australia - just, after Day 1.
Stu
Guest
Punter will make 116 -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
jamesb
Guest
not a bad day for Australia. At one point, I thought Australia were going to forsake their advantage by bowling India out so cheaply, when Australia was 3/37. 3/ 116 sounds alot healthier, but still alot of work to do. The problem for Australia is this. Would you want to get rid of or retire Ponting and Hussey, when at the same time the top 3 is not established?
Geoff Lemon
Expert
So there we have it. Australia finish the day on 3/116. If that doesn't sound so hot, consider the fact that they came back from 3/37, after the top three again went cheaply - Warner for 8, Marsh for 0, Cowan for 16. Ponting and Clarke looked dicey early but only firmed as the afternoon wore on. They added 79 in an unbeaten stand, Ponting with 44, Clarke with 47. Get involved in the 'What will Punter score' comp by leaving your suggestion below. 3/116 looks pretty good after an Indian collapse. 13 wickets fell today, partly to a pitch with a bit of juice, partly to solid, disciplined bowling. Australia did it all day. India couldn't sustain it. Dhoni made 57 not out, Tendulkar 41, Sehwag 30, everyone else not much. India subsided for 191, a really disappointing total and to be frank, they should be embarrassed. Whether that spurs them on, we don't yet know. They need to attack and take wickets in the morrning. Dhoni is an attacking batsman and an overly defensive captain. He has to go for a victory. Join me tomorrow morning from 10.20 for the live scores and commentary all day long. Leave your predicted score for Ponting below, and let's see what he notches tomorrow. Keep chatting amongst yourselves of course - I'll pop in from time to time. Until then, goodnight, thanks for your company.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
That's STUMPS
Andy
Guest
Some of this fielding has been a trifle cavalier also. And not dashing, Errol Flynn moustache cavalier, lazy, CBF cavalier.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
FOUR! Rhialto is out of the Ponting score comp! He crunches the pull shot from Ashwin behind square leg for four. Goes on to 43.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
This is limp stuff from India! Just saw a quick over from Virender Sehwag - handy one-day bowler, but not a Test scalper. Gentle off-spin, defensive field, and they worked singles off him at will. 3/109
Geoff Lemon
Expert
I'm out too, Adam. Rhialto could be in the box seat overnight, if Ponting has to restart on 37...
AdamS
Guest
The runs have come, albeit in a haphazard fashion against no real venom from the bowlers or demons in the pitch. An interesting day nonetheless Thanks Geoff.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Yes - as I said below, even if he gets through here and in the Windies and another Australian summer with modest but respectable contributions, will he be any use in England, in damp conditions and low light, against the swinging ball, and a first-rate, fast, aggressive, swinging and seaming bowling attack?
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Looked bad early, Clarke was pinning the ears back. But they've brought it under control.