[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by Eddy

There was a risk of losing the series. They had to be safe. India, the Rank 1 team, would have done the same I am sure.

Safety first. Remember SA had forfeited an innings against England to set them a competitive target, but only after the series was in the bag.

Edit: ^^ SA lost that match.

But wouldn't that be fun? I am not debating you, but just wondering it would have been a hell of fun if either team played for a result, after all it is 1 and 2 playing, throw a challenge or two. If they win or lose it would be awesome fun for us viewers, after all what is sport but entertainment, no?

Anyway, though it is wishful thinking now, I really hope something exciting happens in here!!

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Sehwag is a lottery for both sides.

Which is why I would also not have declared. He has made better bowlers that Morkel & Tsosobe look ordinary.

We would have made different styles of captains


Edit: Of course it would have been fun anil. But the losing captain would had to take the flak of losing a series

[markmytravel]

This series has been a stunner and surely both teams don't deserve to loose after being so neck to neck till the last day. Really it's hard to say which is better.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

What about the time Steyn got out, with 10 odd overs still to be bowled?

When Steyn got out, the lead was mere 285!! Do you think it was enough to gamble?

[KRRaj]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Already playing for a draw KRRAJ?
Chasing 4 runs an over on a 5 day pitch is a MIGHTY TASK.
this aint no videogame buddy

Originally Posted by harry10

Absolutely disagree!
You think this is an ODI happening here?
This is test cricket.

We can always do without these silly comments. You cant air an opinion these days without inviting such comments everywhere. I know my test cricket very well thank you.

When you have the opposition down at 98/5, no one goes for a defensive field like Dhoni did for one point.

Edit:
I guess this guy writing the article also does not know Test Cricket.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-af...ry/495554.html

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by amitoj

When Steyn got out, the lead was mere 285!! Do you think it was enough to gamble?

I was thinking 250 was a good gamble. Considering the way Steyn bowled in India's first innings and on a 5th day pitch he could have been unplayable - considering he bowled with the same fire and not the way he is bowling today.

It has been a bowlers match - If we leave out Sachin for India and Kallis for SA. The others who got a good score were scratchy and lucky.

[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by amitoj

When Steyn got out, the lead was mere 285!! Do you think it was enough to gamble?

IMO it is enough. Anything above 250 is a bonus on that pitch for fifth day. And more so if I have Steyn and Morkel in team. But then again as someone rightly pointed out, it was for India to have played for a result, we couldn't extract a thing from pitch later yesterday, specially so for the last four wickets. SA did not want to take the risk for whatever reasons, and now it is either win for SA or draw!!

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by anilisanil

Aren't you contradicting yourself here? In the first statement you say 300 is too risky and in the very next statement you say it is a mighty task!! Did I miss anything?

You are actually.
To set a target of 300, they would have declared earlier on the 4th day.
Therefore India would have got 10-15 odd overs from day 4 + 90 overs in day 5.

300 runs divided by 105 overs = less than 3 runs per over.
So no captain is going to put the opposition in

[prince_pervez]

IMO if SA was even thinking of a victory they should have declared at around 290-300 and given a tea session and one full day considering it is a fast wicket with juice for the bolwers. I think they are looking for a planned draw. I hope we stick like super glue to the crease and draw the series.

[Hatari]

In addition, you can never attack and defend at the same time.
with 340, they have made it practically impossible for India.

So now Smith can have 5-6 men around without having to bother about giving runs away

We will be fortunate if we get away with a draw, crazy pitch this is turning out to be

[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by Hatari

You are actually.
To set a target of 300, they would have declared earlier on the 4th day.
Therefore India would have got 10-15 odd overs from day 4 + 90 overs in day 5.

300 runs divided by 105 overs = less than 3 runs per over.
So no captain is going to put the opposition in

Originally Posted by Hatari

In addition, you can never attack and defend at the same time.
with 340, they have made it practically impossible for India.

So now Smith can have 5-6 men around without having to bother about giving runs away

We will be fortunate if we get away with a draw, crazy pitch this is turning out to be

Well do you think an extra 40 runs is going to a make huge difference for over the 90 overs?? What you said makes sense if SA were to have more wickets in hand. But with 1-2 wickets in hand they could have tried something different.

Anyway no use crying over spilt milk, since we both agree with the current situation, let us hope that India survives their battle for draw

[Spitfire]

YAWN!!!! Came home early for nothing.

Bring on the ODI's now...

[Eddy]

T20 before that. Farewell match for Ntini. I quite like the character, so in two minds whether I want him to do well or get pummelled.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Eddy

T20 before that. Farewell match for Ntini. I quite like the character, so in two minds whether I want him to do well or get pummelled.

He is named in the squad but will he actually play is the q!
I would like all SA bowlers to get a stick

[ghodlur]

England have made a first series win whacking the Aussies by an Innings and 83 runs defeat. Good for the Aussies. I would like them pshycologically down before the World cup. Many heads will roll after this defeat.