[Eddy]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

Will be following all the matches !. Hope England will not disappoint with pedestrian performance.

Their batting is suspect. I expect Starc and Hazlewood to cause them trouble. That said, how the Aussie openers fare will be the key.

[AltoLXI]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Their batting is suspect. I expect Starc and Hazlewood to cause them trouble. That said, how the Aussie openers fare will be the key.

England 1 up in the series ! Excellent performance by Root . Waiting to see the Australians getting fired up in the second test.

[Eddy]

Brilliant game, though I could only catch the highlights.

I hope the Poms can sustain the momentum through the rest of the series. Don't I just lllooovvvveeee watching Aussies lose

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

Excellent performance by Root . .

Root was lucky to score the century, wasn't a great innings IMO. I think the England bowlers did a great job and set up the win for the team.

We may have seen the last of Watson in Tests, don't really think he deserves to be in the side for the Lord's Test and neither does Haddin.

[pratyush6]

I for one like the Aussies more than the Poms. Root's innings probably made the difference between the teams. Though I really like his batting, this was no where near deserving.
Expect Aussies to come back!

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Marauder

We may have seen the last of Watson in Tests, don't really think he deserves to be in the side for the Lord's Test and neither does Haddin.

Watson - I agree. Mitchell Marsh may well replace him in the playing XI.

Haddin has had a good run recently so his place should be safe for the time being. I don't think the Aussies will blood a debutante keeper while the series is still alive.

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Haddin has had a good run recently so his place should be safe for the time being. I don't think the Aussies will blood a debutante keeper while the series is still alive.

I also don't think he would be dropped for the next match but IMO he doesn't deserve to be in the side as he hasn't scored any runs for the past couple of years and his keeping was abysmal in the last match.

[mukul32]

I too believe Haddin won't be replaced because the other choice, Peter nevill, doesn't look any promising in keeping either. Why don't they select talented young keepers like Whiteman or Handscomb beats me.

[Eddy]

Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings suspended for two years

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings suspended for two years

Will the players of both the franchises be absorbed in other franchises or will a new franchise be created ??

[Eddy]

As a clarification: The teams themselves are not suspended. it is just the owners who cannot run a team for the next two years. So perhaps if CSK and RR are bought out by other entities, they might be able to play. That hinges on the India Cements and Jaipur IPL Ltd's willingness to relinquish their ownership

Update, posted on the live blog on cricinfo.

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings suspended for two years

Halla Bol and Whistle Podu!

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Will the players of both the franchises be absorbed in other franchises or will a new franchise be created ??

The Lodha committe has said, "Players are free. They will not be attached to a particular team of the franchise that is suspended"
So this means that they can be absorbed by other teams.

I read that they have also said, "It is not for us to say if CSK can continue to play if India Cements sell their share in the Franchise"
So this means that if India Cements sell their share to any other individual/company, CSK have a chance. Same thing should e applicable to RR also.

[pratyush6]

CSK will probably sold to another company for 2 years then. Its pretty harsh on players though - that is, if this becomes a 6 team IPL (which is highly unlikely).

The quantum of punishment is fair though. This had to be dealt harshly. IPL is still a long way away, hence you never know, which might actually transpire.

[Eddy]

Didn't India Cements do some hanky panky and sell CSK to some sister entity for INR 5 Lakh ?

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Didn't India Cements do some hanky panky and sell CSK to some sister entity for INR 5 Lakh ?

In all probability, CSK and RR will be bought by another company/individual so that India cements and Raj kundra do not have stake in them.
It will be tough for the players to be absorbed in other franchises.
Finally 6 team IPL is not interesting.