by Just checked the scorecard -- was quite surprised to see the
result. First, after Australia were 89/4, India gave up 288 runs.
Balaji went for 1/52 in 9 overs and Pathan was 0/60, with Kumble's
1/56. A chase of 288, meant, that our bowlers gave up *too much*
to the Aussies and chasing 288 was difficult target. That was the
highest ever at the MCG and under the lights and crowd the task
was much more difficult, with the exception of the Indian fans :-)
Here are the FC LIST-A records of Balaji and Pathan --
Which really is the story to begin with, both Balaji and Pathan
are rookies and had Khan and Nehra been around the result would
have been 250 or less whenever a bowler like Agarkar does 6/42.
Ajit Agarkar's performance was not taken advantage of -- one can
only regret the fact that we are in Australia now -- trying to avenge
the disastrous WC final match. A win would certainly *erase* the
memories we had during the WC final.
Frankly, our ODI bowling team lacks experience and discipline
to give up 288 after Australia being 89/4. Like I have discussed
earlier, giving bowlers -- with averages above 30 of Pathan and
23.64 for Balaji would mean that eventually can they get to
the averages of Khan and Agarkar over the long term is a big
question mark. 2 other bowlers, Salvi and Gagandeep Singh from
Punjab seemed to have showed tighter numbers
The above averages are not LIST-A, but gives us some idea before
we decide to commit to above two bowlers. I would a combined average
against the Aussies where the temperament of Salvi and Singh could
have been tested since they had a legitimate shot at the future
of Indian bowling. One can argue about Pathan's age and he certainly
had the talent, but 19 was too early for him in a VB series challenge
in Australia.
Fom now on, Ganguly has to rally his team and forget about last
night, regroup against Zimbabwe and reintroduce Nehra as a pure
bowler who can restrict the Australian batting.
Sehwag Sachin Ganguly Dravid Badani Yuvraj Gavasker
Agarkar Nehra Karthik Kumble
Nikhil