TOPIC:

If they skittle us for less than 150 which now appears likely, they may be tempted to enforce the follow on as there is no way Australia would be able to score much more than 250 in their second innings. Or they just might just choose to bat again and do us slowly as a prime minister once said. Not sure what they can do with Mitch Marsh, his batting is just not up to the standard of a test number 6.

Just spent the day at Hagley watching NZ batters flay the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground....there is no way some of these current Aust batsmen should be allowed the luxury of restoring their reputations scoring easy runs v the piss poor SL bowlers in the New Year....false sense of security....time to put permanent lines through a lot of these over tried and over paid current Aust batsmen....

I agree Freezin but who do you replace them with? Do we bite the bullet and go with a young guy like Sangha who is probably going to benefit more from a year or two being blooded in shield cricket or do we go back to the guys who have been tried before like Joe Burns, Callum Ferguson or Matt Renshaw? None of them have demanded selection really. Obviously Smith will come back into the team in March and possibly Warner too, not sure about Bancroft, he has some Shield games in February to push his case.

7-138.....the big question do India enforce the follow on.Or do they bat for an hour tonight and 1.5 sessions tomorrow. We once had a batting line up with Mark Taylor, David Boon and Steve Waugh.In the same side.Who never gave up there wicket.
Aha late edit.Its raining about 30kms out of Melbourne. Day 4 is 50% chance of rain. Day 5,,, 60% chance of rain.
Sydney Test -In Joe Burns+Glenn Maxwell out S+M Marsh.

The forecast Melbourne rain does make India's decision not to enforce the follow-on a very interesting one, gtrxuone.
I guess Virat Kohli's philosophy is to bat for another 50-60 overs and extend India's lead to 500-plus runs, in the process further tiring out (demoralising) the Australian bowlers.
Had India enforced the follow-on, chances are they would've won by an innings, the only positive of that being the Aussie bowlers would've at least been able to rest up for Sydney.

Archie Duda Goal Machine wrote: The forecast Melbourne rain does make India's decision not to enforce the follow-on a very interesting one, gtrxuone.
I guess Virat Kohli's philosophy is to bat for another 50-60 overs and extend India's lead to 500-plus runs, in the process further tiring out (demoralising) the Australian bowlers.
Had India enforced the follow-on, chances are they would've won by an innings, the only positive of that being the Aussie bowlers would've at least been able to rest up for Sydney.

All his decisions so far Archie have been spot on.Sydney only a few days away.Our bowlers havnt learnt much from the Indians bowling.On a slow wicket bowl top of off stump.They did and it worked for them.

Minutes batted in this #AusvInd
: 476 CPujara
301 VKohli
285 Australia.

And this on alledged road!!

mikeh wrote: If they skittle us for less than 150 which now appears likely, they may be tempted to enforce the follow on as there is no way Australia would be able to score much more than 250 in their second innings. Or they just might just choose to bat again and do us slowly as a prime minister once said. Not sure what they can do with Mitch Marsh, his batting is just not up to the standard of a test number 6.

They haven't enforced the follow on and why would they, might as well get the Australian bowlers back out there again in the heat. From there perspective they will win anyway, the next test starts in a few days and Australia's strength is its bowlers. Might as well wear them out, who knows they might even get injured. Hang on though, they have cover in Mitch Marsh for the quicks so they'll be ok.

if it was a contest between Mitch Marsh and Pat Cummins on who could last 100 deliveries against quality bowling at test level I would actually have my money on Cummins.

UNKA2 wrote: Minutes batted in this #AusvInd
: 476 CPujara
301 VKohli
285 Australia.

And this on alledged road!!

Agreed, the track is dead, its a road. Only its not when your an Indian bowler or batsmen.
It bit less whining about the wicket and a bit more about the quality (or lack of) of Australian play might be in order.

Spot on Ooooll....Haddins comments have looked silly before Aust innings....mikeh to be honest I would just play some youngsters like Sangha and Edwards...but no doubt way before their time..but after seeing the quality of that SL attack today...why should the likes of Finch, Marsh x2 even Uzzie afforded that luxury?....fark fellas like Ferguson, Maxwell and Burns deserve as many goes as the Marsh boys have been given....feel gutted for Aust bowlers...our batsmen are definitely shortening their careers....