An EMAIL Letter from Errol Fernando in Melbourne to his alter ego …. one Fitzroy, 25 November 2024
Dear Fitzroy, I see that Captain Bumrah won Man of the Match for taking 8 wickets. I would have given him MOM simply for batting first and not inserting. It was a spicy wicket indeed and very tempting to bowl first especially if you are the opening bowler. However, he resisted the temptation and bravely decided to bat first. At 73 for 6 it looked like a stupid decision. However, in the end it brought him victory. If he had inserted, I have no doubt that Australia would have won.
It will also be important to bat first in Adelaide with the pink ball. A totally different game from Perth and the Aussies are experts. Starc will be itching to get his hands on the pink ball. Also Hazlewood. However, let’s see who bats first!
I am not expecting much from Captain Rohit Sharma. If he makes 10 runs, I will be surprised. Also, India will miss Bumrah’s leadership. They may as well send Ashwin home because there is no place for him in this side. He will be a spectator for the series although I would find a place for him. What about Jadeja?
The Aussies do not need to make any changes for Adelaide. McSweeney was desperately unlucky and must be given another chance. Eccentric Manus is due for a score. Stick with Smith and Khawaja for the present. There’s life and experience in those old dogs yet!
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Looking forward to Adelaide! ……… Cheers,
SOME ASIDES From A Distance in Adelaide
Do tell us Errol, dear Errol, .dear Errol … HOW IS IT that this Indian side lost three Test Matches …. at home …. to those blokes living in the islands west of Australia. THREE Losses ….. BIM BAM BOM! Even without a Jonah Lomu in their fifteen!
Are you implying that it was due to Rohit being the captain then… ?
Brian THOMAS’s Reading in Facebook: “India proudly regained the top spot of the WTC points table after thumbing Australia in their own backyard by 295 runs. Historic win in the lung opener for India , with Bumrah adjudicated as man of the series for his 8 wickets haul. Big question can Australia break the record with the opponents never loosing a Border Gavaskar trophy after winning the first Test. Points to ponder, India have the best combination in Australian conditions with batters executing drives on the up. Skill levels , manufacturing ramp shots off short deliveries, negating the swing with precise foot work. Catching men placed in correct positions to grab edges coming off 4th stump unplayable deliveries. Australia tasting their own medicine their bowlers exploit against sub continent teams.”
Australia played very badly against India. We need to improve the batting. Particularly Manus Labuschange