Just a few notes from last night’s test match:
1. I was able to watch the final 60 or so overs of the day. I missed the first two wickets, but I saw Ponting’s 50, and Cowan’s 50, and the two wickets that weren’t, and the two wickets that were.
2. Regarding the above commentary: The wicket’s of both Cowan and Hussey would surely have been over-turned if a review system was in place. Yes, I know, it is a flawed technology, but it is better than nothing. Those two wickets changed the entire day and turned the match in India’s favor, and it is really unfortunate that both decisions were wrong.
Further, I think not having DRS available puts more pressure on the umpires, not less as some would suggest. And I believe that that added pressure is a big reason behind why both calls were flubbed.
The technology exists, and for the flaws in it to be ironed out, the technology needs to get used on stages such as the Boxing Day test match at the MCG.
At the end of the day, Indian, Australian, or neutral, you have to feel for Eddie Cowan. He played a marvelous debut innings, and he should still be out there batting.
3. I mentioned in a post a few days ago that “three magical deliveries out of nowhere will change everything” – or something like that. And that is exactly what happened last night. The wickets of Ponting, Clarke, and Hussey were taken with just wonderful attacking balls. And whether or not the decisions would have been overturned by DRS does not diminish the quality of those deliveries.
Zaheer Kahn really is a special bowler. The only real match changer out there for India, and they are lucky to have him.
That is not to discount the performance of his fellow fast bowler, Umesh Yadav, who took three for 96, but Kahn is just simply a step ahead of him, skill wise. For now, anyway.
4. For the first 25 or so overs last night, Willow.tv’s quality was impeccable. After tea, unfortunately, the quality started to decrease, but before that it was just lovely. Hopefully it was a sign of things to come.
5. During the match last night, there were a few promos for the KFC Big Bash League. The juxtaposition of that circus to a wonderful test match was impossible not to notice. BBL is all noise, signifying nothing; while the test match was of the highest quality, and was operating on multiple levels.
As I have said before, I truly believe there is room for both forms, and I understand that money-printing domestic competitions such as the BBL have to exist, for financial reasons, but gah the BBL makes me a little ashamed to be a cricket fan.
6. Twitter is a real hoot during big matches. At one point, nine of the ten trending topics in India were related to the Boxing Day test match.
7. I am going to start writing down ideas for blog posts. I thought of one yesterday while writing my match preview but now I cannot remember what it was and it is DRIVING ME CRAZY.
8. I did not watch a single ball of South Africa v Sri Lanka. Maybe tomorrow.
9. Only one over was lost yesterday due to rain.
One.
A cynic could even attribute that lost over to Indian’s notoriously low over rates instead of Mother Nature, but I am not a cynic.
10. 70,000 people at the MCG yesterday. And my rough estimate says that 1/3 of them were India supporters. So much for home-field advantage.
11. During the first hour or so of the second session, the Aussies were cranking along at 4.55 runs per over. That, for me, is the story of the match so far. India’s bowlers were very poor after lunch and if not for Kahn’s heroics and the two dodgy decisions, the visitors would be in a whole lot of trouble.
12. Day 2 begins in five hours and 25 minutes.
13. Until next time.
Limited Overs 