Tag: David Warner

Cricket: Lyon’s 12 the difference in perfect test

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After five days of gripping test cricket Nathan Lyon’s seven second innings wickets were the difference between two teams desperate for a win in Adelaide in a match that has already been described as “perfect”.  For vastly different reasons the two supremos of World cricket needed a win.  In Australia’s case it was for their colleague, their friend and their inspiration, Phillip Hughes; four of their players, Brad Haddin, David Warner, Nathan Lyon and Shane Watson were all playing in the tragic game in which Hughes was hit.  India too had every reason to win this game.  Their horrid record in Australia needed remedying; their captain was missing and the stand-in was captaining for the first time; and they couldn’t take a backwards step against Mitchell Johnson.

The result of both team’s ambitious intentions was an amazing spectacle featuring tremendous individual performances and ebbs and flows befitting of a battle between two proud cricketing nations.  The match culminated in a final day where each of the three results were possible.  Chasing an unlikely 364 for victory India set about their task diligently initially, and then later aggressively.  Viral Kohli and Murali Vijay were the stars sharing a 185 run partnership that sent both sets of fans to the edge of their seats.  They were bought together after Shikhar Dhawan had been given out caught behind in what looked like only chest, and Cheteshwar Pujara had become Nathan Lyon’s first victim.

Criticisms of Lyon in the past have revolved around his inability to take big wickets in the fourth innings of matches, and as the monumental partnership continued those criticisms only strengthened, despite some blatant LBW calls that should have gone his way.  However, as a win started to look possible for the tourists, Vijay inexplicably missed a straight one on 99 to open the floodgates.  From there Lyon tore through the rest of the Indian line up through a combination of accurate bowling, poor umpiring decisions, and brainless batting.  His figures of 7-152 gave him 12 for the match and delivered the win Australia were desperately seeking.

India’s last session implosion was ambitious as it was reckless.  Kohl’s aggressive attitude during his 175-ball 141 clearly rubbed off on his team as the lower order tried in vain to get their side over the line.  Kohl’s knock (or knocks for that matter – he also scored 114 in the first innings) did not deserve to be in losing efforts, but he will rue his miscue off Lyon when shepherding the tail was the more sensible option.

The generous target of 364 set by Australia was predominantly due to the loss in overs from Wednesday’s rain, and David Warners match strike-rate.  The destructive leftie amassed hundreds in both innings’; striking at 88 and 61 to give Australia the time needed to bowl India out on the final day.  He was supported by old captain Michael Clarke (128), and new captain Steven Smith (162* and 52*) who both displayed supreme confidence at the wicket.  Michael Clarke’s knock was especially brave after he entered the game with an injury cloud and left the game under a much worse career threatening injury cloud.

The GABBA hosts the second match in the series and will test the fragile Indian batting lineup, whereas personnel changes may threaten Australia’s momentum.  Both Sportsbet Australia and Ladbrokes Australia have predicted an easy series win for Australia on the back of the first up win.  Their series betting odds are:

Sportsbet Australia Series Market

Australia $1.06

Draw $14.00

India $26.00

Ladbrokes Australia Correct Score Market

Australia 3-0 – $3.25

Australia 4-0 – $3.50

Australia 3-1 – $5.00

Australia 2-1 – $6.50

Australia 2-0 – $7.00

Draw 2-2 – $19.00

Draw 1-1 – $29.00

India 2-1 – $34.00

Australia 1-0 – $51.00

India 3-1 – $101.00

Australia 7 for 517 dec (Smith 162*, Warner 145, Clarke 128) and 5 for 290 dec (Warner 102) beat India 444 (Kohli 115, Lyon 5-134) and 315 (Kohli 141, Vijay 99, Lyon 7-152) by 48 runs

Cricket: Clarke fit to lead Australia in first test

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After expecting to play the first game of cricket in the four match test series in Brisbane, all of the players will have to adjust to the new surroundings of Adelaide and the general eeriness that will linger throughout the test match.  The rescheduled match has made the side selection much easier for Australia.  If the first match did go ahead as planned at the Gabba, Michael Clarke was no chance to play.  Now he’s passed a fitness test and is playing with some serious motivation.  The chance to dedicate an innings to his “little brother” is a worrying proposition for the Indians who are without their own skipper, MS Dhoni, who is recovering from a broken thumb.

Virat Kohli, who signalled his arrival on test cricket’s World scene with a debut hundred in Australia the last time he was here, leads the team in Dhoni’s absence.  India desperately need his run-scoring ability and his slightly combative attitude to set the tone.

The Last Time These Two Met

The two teams play in vastly differing conditions and struggle when taken away from their home comforts.  This is shown in the series scores from the last times the teams met.  In 2012/13 in India, India won the series 4-0.  The same scoreline separated the sides in Australia in 2011/12.

The Teams

Australia 1 Chris Rogers, 2 David Warner, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Steven Smith, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Nathan Lyon.

India 1 M Vijay, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rohit Sharma, 7 Wriddiman Saha (wk), 8 Karn Sharma, 9 Varun Aaron, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Mohammad Shami.

The Key Players

Michael Clarke – The mental strength required for Clarke to play in the first test of the summer should not be underestimated.  Following a role as a pillar of the country in the wake of Phillip Hughes’ passing, Clarke has taken to all his support roles with consulate professionalism and respect.  He’ll be hoping for similar strength from his dodgy hamstring to help him get through the first cricket test of the series.  He’s a key player to see if he has anything remaining in the physical and mental tank after his impressive effort just to be available.  He’s at $4.50 to top score for his side at Unibet.

Ajinkya Rahane – Rahane is quickly becoming India’s go to cricketer.  The diminutive yet correct right hander has been in rich vein of form of late and has already been touted by opposing players this summer.  After their match against the Cricket Australia XI, bowler Josh Lalor commented that Rahane “looks probably the most settled of their players at the moment”.  He’s paying $6 to top score in the first dig.

The Odds*

Australia – $1.63

India – $7.50

Draw – $3.20

*International Cricket odds courtesy of Unibet.

The Prediction

History tells us the Indians struggle in Australia and this series should be no different.  Without captain MS Dhoni it is expected the tourists will struggle to take 20 wickets and concede large totals.  That leaves too much to do for their batsmen, and considering the likes of Dravid, Laxman and Tendulker have not been able to save them in the past, we see this one going the way of the Australians.

Can David Warner be Australia’s wild card this summer?

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Not content with a foul mouthed online tirade via Twitter with Australian journalists, Australia’s David Warner turned his attention to England’s Joe Root in a drunken late night attack more reminiscent of the spoilt behaviour the public have become accustomed to seeing from overpaid footballers. From becoming a potential future captain of Australia Warner now finds himself firmly starring at an extended break this summer and watching the Ashes from the comfort of his sofa, rather than being in the heat of the battle.

Australia will do well not to push the panic button just yet – anyone who has seen Warner’s test hundreds against South Africa and India will know that despite a modest test average of 39 from 19 games, Warner’s strike rate of just under 70 in test matches suggests he can transform a passage of play, a match and indeed a series in the space of a couple of hours.

Australia have picked a squad with potentially five players vying for the two opening spots, but the alternatives do not provide the same x-factor as Warner – Ed Cowan is solid but unspectacular, Shane Watson ego-driven and inconsistent, Phil Hughes a sitting duck for England’s seam attack, and Chris Rodgers only proven at domestic level and no higher. Warner’s refreshing approach to batting is exactly what Australia need if they are to come out on top against England’s potent bowling attack, who although are an impressive unit, are definitely vulnerable when the attack is taken to them. Even West Indies’ Tino Best became close to becoming the first number 11 in test match history to score a century with an audacious display of strokeplay against England.

Australia’s past two defeats in the Ashes have primarily come from being too timid and backing down, surely they need an in your face character like Warner to carry the fight (not literally) to England this summer?