As India take on Australia in 4- Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Here are some thoughts on how tourist should operate.
Recently when New Zealand and England toured India, the host started slowly and than went on to win the series convincingly.
The major factor for their success was-
a) huge first innings lead gained by India( 56, 112, 258 vs NZ) (-49, 200, 134, 231, 282 v/s Eng), (299 v/s Bangladesh).
b ) the second inning gap in batting performance.
NZ – 1st Inn avg 25.50 v/s 2nd inn avg 19.53
Eng – 1st Inn avg 39.04 v/s 2nd inn avg 24.56
NZ – 1st Inn avg 38.80 v/s 2nd inn avg 25.00
India – 1st Inn avg 59.33 v/s 2nd inn avg 37.38
Therefore Australia needs to take the game deep into the last day of the test match and always keep close distance with India -ie margin of difference should be minimum across all primary indicators, not more than certain percentile….it should be within the probability of taking control and not in the miracle zone factor!.
Here are few points that would help above statement.
- (if) you bat first, than bat for > 125 overs and cross mandatory score of 450 – bat till 2nd session of day 2.
- A lead of > 150 is a firm base and nothing less than that.
- Due to radical and sudden change in pitches here in India there is a huge gap between 1st inn/2nd Inn – (this includes India’s performance). The score should be marginal close if not equal to your 1st innings performance.
- Arrest collapse and retain momentum, especially last session.
- Do not play for the turn when the ball is brand new. The line becomes important sign for a batsman to understand the type of ball that is bowled.
- After 15th over one side of the ball will become tardy and abrasive. If this happens, than it suggest that there is scope for variation for reverse swing and orthodox spin.
- The surface will only misbehave after day 3, otherwise it is figment of bowling variable
- The side spin(cutting the ball) will be key bowling components, and some spinners will be bowling round arm (for lower trajectory)and around the wicket -that will constrain batsmen to score runs – either coming down the wicket, or playing backfoot. These bowlers are extremely accurate. These guys will be used for short spells if the condition does not suite them, but they would come back when the ball is old and tardy and surface loose.
- Avoid playing the cut shot against spin(unless it is wide and short outside off)
- O’Keefe is perfect for this series. Not sure about Lyon, unless he alters his length and bowls lower arm, faster through the air and cuts the ball and not spin conventionally – viz change his bowling style. If this happens than a long spell is due on cards bowling consecutive maidens in pairs.
- Field placing is the key in India. Once the ball has crossed the circle it would run away for short boundaries. Therefore feel free to change and think out of the box – but always have 2 close in fielder excluding keeper.
- A chinaman bowler is an unknown and rare quality in International cricket, hence most batsmen are not aware how to play them. Their accuracy is their key to their stability and success. India might use Kuldeep Yadav or other similar type of bowlers.
