What a shame..

[mrsgollum]

Steve Bucknor, please retire. You can't see, can't hear and can't think. It's time.
Blind Benson, there's another umpire with a TV replay available. Why did you need an Aussie opinion?
Ponting, spirit on 1 day; grounded catches and dishonest appeals on another. Where's the spirit you talk about?
Lee, sensational you were.
Anil/Sachin/Laxman - no shame.

Comments

[rileen]

I'd add Ganguly to the no shame list - two 50s, and a dubious decision today. Ditto Dravid.

Would you simply drop Yuvi, bring in Sehwag/Karthik, and move Dravid back to 3? And whether Ishant should be replaced by Pankaj/VRV, and whether Bhajji should/can play ......

[mrsgollum]

Absolutely - Dada was fantastic and inspired some terrific periods of counterattack while he was around. Dravid was characteristically slow but stodgily supportive and he just might have just saved today's game. Shameful and shoddy is the only word that can describe the umpiring in this test.

I'd drop Yuvi. It's unfair in a sense since he's being baptised on these sort of pitches against a top class bowling lineup, but his lack of contributions has only contributed to the tail coming in early. Sehwag/Karthik look dead certain to play in the tour game preceding Perth.

Also, I wouldn't drop Jaffer so early. His footwork has been lazy but he is a genuine opener. I think Sehwag *should* play alongisde Jaffer at Perth with Dravid coming lower down (dont know how that would work with Laxman batting so well at 3).

In any case, if Melbourne was a game of lost opportunities, Sydney has been a combination of poor luck and team weaknesses exposed. Let's hope the rest of the series gives something to remember for the right reasons.

[mrsgollum]

Ishant should be a handful at Perth. It does not swing much there, but the extra pace and bounce should help a tall bowler like him. Pathan looks like he might get a look-in as well.

Bhajji - don't think he'll play at Perth - ban or no ban. It's just ridiculous that inspite of some what Laxman and Sachin did, how many things not-cricket will contribute to this match's memory.

[rileen]

Well, Pankaj is even taller. I like Pathan, but have doubts as to his penetrativeness in tests.