Dhoni has rigged his Test career.
He has played 46 test matches in Asia, and under 10 in any other continent let alone country.
He'd be averaging under 30 if he faced up equally to different conditions, doesn't stand a chance against quality bowling on neutral pitches.
He's lucky to even have a test career let alone test captaincy, Dinesh Karthik is a much better test player and is a good keeper.
So he's played more test matches at home and in the surrounds (which have 3 of the other nine test nations) than away over a 74 test career. That's alot different to the proportions of others im sure :roll:
Do we critique Clarke for playing 52 of his 90 tests in oceania, and 16 in Asia, 12 in England, only five in Saffa/Americas? Clarke averages 63.5 in Oceania and under 50 everywhere else (46 or so in Europe, 41 in Asia, under 40 elsewhere). Obviously a better batsmen but similar sort of drop off.
He's a decent cricketer who sure, gets exposed outside his home conditions, like many cricketers (Matt Hayden and Sehwag the biggest examples).
It also has alot to do with form. Clarkes career best form has coincided with a run of 12/21 tests in Australia - still scored runs in all away tours except Windies. It could prove to be similar with Dhoni.
So yeah, Pretty good knock by Dhoni.
We have to be realistic, no spinner (that the selectors are willing to try) was going to be particularly effective against some of the best players of spin in the world. Bowling spin in India where conditions suit
their brand of spinners was always going to be difficult - But then look at Ashwin, who looked an absolute gimp out here - over there.
I dont think Lyon bowled particularly well (just slow the ball down by 4-5km ffs) but it's laughable to think any of the others would've done much better (well O'Keefe obviously has the best record in the shield but they dont seem to like his fairly round arm action, regardless of his figures).
Fortunately it's a four test series, and there's a fairly good chance of saving this one (although that 9th wicket partnership has killed that a bit). There is time to adjust. Playing 4 seamers and a spinner was dumb though, if henriques was to play should've sacraficed a quick (Starc) - although with Doherty Maxwell and Smith the options not sure that would've made a difference.
Siddle looked non-threatening which is disappointing, but at least kept it tight. Starc looked pretty bloody poor, but that wasnt different to his form in Australia, except he didnt cash in on the tail end. Clarkes captaincy not great but not helped by his bowlers.
Thank god for Patto!
