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So we've got India promising a better "fight" for Wednesday's test.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22986093-23212,00.html
Kumble promises improvement
By Paul Mulvey
December 29, 2007
INDIAN captain Anil Kumble believes his much vaunted batting lineup will find the runs they need to make a contest out of the second Test in Sydney next week.
India did not reach 200 in either innings of the 337-run thumping at the MCG, with their quality roll call of batsmen failing to make an impact.
While Sachin Tendulkar made a sparkling 62 in the first innings, no-one else passed 50 as the strong batting line-up was strangled by Australia's pace trio.
Kumble defended the tourists' gamble to lift Rahul Dravid to open the batting to accommodate Yuvraj Singh in the middle order after both batsmen failed dismally.
Dravid, one of the greats of Indian cricket, looked like a rabbit in the spotlight against Australia's pace attack, taking 66 balls to score five runs in the first innings and 114 balls to score 15 in the second.
Yuvraj, fresh from scoring 169 earlier this month against Pakistan in his first Test since July 2006, scored 0 and five and moped around the field throughout the match.
But Kumble said his 169 demanded Yuvraj retained his place and while alternative openers Dinesh Karthik and Virender Sehwag have not made runs recently, Dravid's elevation up the order best suited the team balance.
He was confident Dravid, who has a Test average of 55.45 with an aggregate of 9,704 runs, will find form.
"He's too good a player to worry about his batting," Kumble said.
"I'm positive he needs to probably relax a bit more and go out there and enjoy his batting, I'm positive he will be able to do that.
"He's played more than 100 Test matches and scored more than 9000 runs, for him to feel intimidated.
"I'm really confident he will come out and bat the way he usually does."
Kumble said he would wait until next week to decide whether he would keep the same batting order for the Sydney Test, but with Karthik and Sehwag having no opportunity to press for selection, it is unlikely to change.
"It's a bit too early for me to look at those options," he said.
"We need to take a look at the pitch in Sydney and then make a call."
Kumble admitted the tourists' lack of preparation after arriving in Australia on December 18 was inadequate, with their one scheduled practice match against Victoria restricted to 48 overs of batting because of rain.
"It's not enough ... we certainly require more acclimatisation when you come to Australia," he said.
"But having said that, we had our moments when we could have got on top of Australia , especially on the second day.
"I'm pretty confident we'll be able to be more positive and do well."
Hate to say it but I can't see them challenging again.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22986093-23212,00.html
Kumble promises improvement
By Paul Mulvey
December 29, 2007
INDIAN captain Anil Kumble believes his much vaunted batting lineup will find the runs they need to make a contest out of the second Test in Sydney next week.
India did not reach 200 in either innings of the 337-run thumping at the MCG, with their quality roll call of batsmen failing to make an impact.
While Sachin Tendulkar made a sparkling 62 in the first innings, no-one else passed 50 as the strong batting line-up was strangled by Australia's pace trio.
Kumble defended the tourists' gamble to lift Rahul Dravid to open the batting to accommodate Yuvraj Singh in the middle order after both batsmen failed dismally.
Dravid, one of the greats of Indian cricket, looked like a rabbit in the spotlight against Australia's pace attack, taking 66 balls to score five runs in the first innings and 114 balls to score 15 in the second.
Yuvraj, fresh from scoring 169 earlier this month against Pakistan in his first Test since July 2006, scored 0 and five and moped around the field throughout the match.
But Kumble said his 169 demanded Yuvraj retained his place and while alternative openers Dinesh Karthik and Virender Sehwag have not made runs recently, Dravid's elevation up the order best suited the team balance.
He was confident Dravid, who has a Test average of 55.45 with an aggregate of 9,704 runs, will find form.
"He's too good a player to worry about his batting," Kumble said.
"I'm positive he needs to probably relax a bit more and go out there and enjoy his batting, I'm positive he will be able to do that.
"He's played more than 100 Test matches and scored more than 9000 runs, for him to feel intimidated.
"I'm really confident he will come out and bat the way he usually does."
Kumble said he would wait until next week to decide whether he would keep the same batting order for the Sydney Test, but with Karthik and Sehwag having no opportunity to press for selection, it is unlikely to change.
"It's a bit too early for me to look at those options," he said.
"We need to take a look at the pitch in Sydney and then make a call."
Kumble admitted the tourists' lack of preparation after arriving in Australia on December 18 was inadequate, with their one scheduled practice match against Victoria restricted to 48 overs of batting because of rain.
"It's not enough ... we certainly require more acclimatisation when you come to Australia," he said.
"But having said that, we had our moments when we could have got on top of Australia , especially on the second day.
"I'm pretty confident we'll be able to be more positive and do well."
Hate to say it but I can't see them challenging again.
