Isn't this what people wanted?

[King Elvis]

Watching us lose that Test, one thing really struck me - India played like us, and we played like a bunch of timid losers.

Well, what the **** did everyone expect?

After a summer of being labelled bad sports, cheats, too aggressive and a bunch of wankers demanding the entire side be dropped, why the hell are we surprised when we lose our mojo?

The Indians mind****ed us, and a lot of the media here were willing accomplices; now our guys are clearly lacking aggression and confidence - while the Indians (hypocrits) are now being aggressive and confrontational with us, and we're hearing how good it is.

[retroparty]

It's good that the loss had happened. The side needs to take a good look at themselves. We can easily beat India in India, we just need the right mindset and we need to be able to keep our heads when under pressure. I hope we can get back on track, it would be so good to be able to win the next 2 games and have won the series.

Revenge will be sweet. Indian cricket fans (just like their team) are a bunch of hypocrites and I can't wait until we beat them... and remind them who is the best test playing nation in the world.

[Marsup]

I as an Australian never like seeing us get beaten in any sport.....
Little own the one we've pretty much dominated in last decade!

But yes it certainly isn't surprising.....And i don't think it will be our last.
I think the next 12-24 months we are likely to lose more games than we have in the last 5-10 years.

[DoubleO7]

Damn right this is what we wanted.

[Showbag]

I loved it. Australian cricket has started to wane not just because of retirements but the lack of a true international rival. I'm really interested to see what the Australians can come up with to combat India The depth of Indian cricket is amazing, we'll be chasing them for at least the next 5-6 years.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

I as an Australian never like seeing us get beaten in any sport.....
Little own the one we've pretty much dominated in last decade!
Funny stuff.

It's like misheard song lyrics.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

The depth of Indian cricket is amazing, we'll be chasing them for at least the next 5-6 years.That's pretty alarmist.

Let's wait and see how they fare once Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman retire. Kumble is finished, but is easier to replace.

And people are over-reacting to this result.

Sure, the loss exposed some shortcomings in the Aussie side, particularly in our bowling.

But India in India has always been a tough series. We got beaten in 2001 when we had an awesome side - did that result also mean that India were suddenly better than us? Of course not, because India in India isn't our benchmark. We know it's a tough series. Losing there doesn't necessarily mean we're not the best side in the world.

The home and away series against South Africa will tell us much more about where Australia sits in the pecking order.

[Belnakor]

But India in India has always been a tough series. We got beaten in 2001 when we had an awesome side - did that result also mean that India were suddenly better than us? Of course not, because India in India isn't our benchmark. We know it's a tough series. Losing there doesn't necessarily mean we're not the best side in the world.

The home and away series against South Africa will tell us much more about where Australia sits in the pecking order.

you talk sense some of the time gunnar.

Beating South Africa and the Poms is much more important than beating India in India. Beating them on their turf is such a rare feat that you don't really need to do it, for us to be considered the best team going around.

Its a bit like other teams coming here - if they come away with a draw they've done their job.

When we into the 2001 series with an almost identical record over the last 20 tests, our best team in probably since the invinicibles and we still got done.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

you talk sense some of the time gunnar.Who are you?

Am I meant to be flattered by your assessment?

Because you're the arbiter of what's sense and what's not, aren't you?

Beating South Africa and the Poms is much more important than beating India in India. Beating them on their turf is such a rare feat that you don't really need to do it, for us to be considered the best team going around.

Its a bit like other teams coming here - if they come away with a draw they've done their job.

When we into the 2001 series with an almost identical record over the last 20 tests, our best team in probably since the invinicibles and we still got done.Next time, why not just copy my post word-for-word?

[Adelaide Hawk]

Watching us lose that Test, one thing really struck me - India played like us, and we played like a bunch of timid losers.

Well, what the **** did everyone expect?

After a summer of being labelled bad sports, cheats, too aggressive and a bunch of wankers demanding the entire side be dropped, why the hell are we surprised when we lose our mojo?

The Indians mind****ed us, and a lot of the media here were willing accomplices; now our guys are clearly lacking aggression and confidence - while the Indians (hypocrits) are now being aggressive and confrontational with us, and we're hearing how good it is.

Well said ... my thoughts precisely.

As I've said .. people should be careful what they wish for because they may just get it. Now stand back and watch the same idiots who wanted Australia culled to complain when they are suddenly "not as good as they use to be".

[davey_magik]

That's pretty alarmist.

Let's wait and see how they fare once Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman retire. Kumble is finished, but is easier to replace.

And people are over-reacting to this result.

Sure, the loss exposed some shortcomings in the Aussie side, particularly in our bowling.

But India in India has always been a tough series. We got beaten in 2001 when we had an awesome side - did that result also mean that India were suddenly better than us? Of course not, because India in India isn't our benchmark. We know it's a tough series. Losing there doesn't necessarily mean we're not the best side in the world.

The home and away series against South Africa will tell us much more about where Australia sits in the pecking order.

I'm glad someone could talk some sense.

We're struggling in India and people are thinking we're way past our best.

I wonder what other teams will beat India in India? I wonder if anyone will beat us at home in the next 5 years? I doubt it.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I'm glad someone could talk some sense.

We're struggling in India and people are thinking we're way past our best.

I wonder what other teams will beat India in India? I wonder if anyone will beat us at home in the next 5 years? I doubt it.

I wasn't saying the Aussies won't be any good, I'm talking about the almost unbeatable team the Aussies once were. That's not going to happen again in a hurry, and you can bet people will be critical of that. A lot of journalists have been hanging out for a change to stick to the Aussie cricket team.

[likka]

What a bullshit thread.

The result of the second test had nothing to do with "India mind****ing us", Australia being "timid losers", or us "losing our mojo".

India won because they played better cricket. Their quicks were exceptional, their spinners bowled very well, they batted with controlled aggression, and did well in the field.

Fact is our quicks have little clue on the subcontinent (especially self appointed "leader" Lee), we don't have any test quality spinners, and excellent bowling has restricted our batsmen's attacking options.

Australia didn't get beaten mentally, they were simply outplayed by a much better team in those conditions.

I said at the start of this tour that beating India in India is an extremely tough assignment. FFS only once in the history of Australian cricket has a touring side won a test series in India. Doesn't mean we are not a good team, just that India play those conditions much better.

Gotta love the typical BF hysterical, OTT reactions though.

[potatomasher]

I wasn't saying the Aussies won't be any good, I'm talking about the almost unbeatable team the Aussies once were. That's not going to happen again in a hurry, and you can bet people will be critical of that. A lot of journalists have been hanging out for a change to stick to the Aussie cricket team.
Australia were never unbeatable. In India, even when we won it wasn't a comfortable win. If India had a decent side together at the time, which they quite often did, Australia would struggle.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

India outplayed us fair and square, they were exceptional, the fast bowling and spin attack clicked perfectly. There is no doubt they benefitted from winning the toss but full credit to them, they played as good a game as one can.

Question is can they back it up. Only a few months ago they were destroyed in Sri Lanka with basically the same side.

We had the better of the first test despite what the Indians say.

I was reading an article yesterday when some Indian journaliststs were claiming that India are the number 1 team in the world. Other articles from South Africa claiming we are ripe for the picking and an array of other similar joyous headlines prediciting our demise.

What has surprised and dissappointed me is respected journos such as Mike Coward, Mike Selvey, Angus Fraser and the like have basically written us off.

The 2 Englishmen can be forgiven i guess because their side has been on the recieving end of some massive hammerings and recently lost at home to South Africa but alas somehow those Poms seem to believe their entering a "new dawn". I like to read their articles and i probably shouldn't but one thing that strikes me about those Englishmen is their ignorance of the talent we have back here in Ausrtralia.

Mike Coward however should have more sense and his knowledge of the game should surely mean that he is wary of making massive statements after one game. Alas he declared this Indian team on the cusp of greatness and similar gushing comments. Maybe his love of Indian culture which is well documented went a bit to his head. But surely someone of his calibre should be a bit more circumspect.

Lets not beat around the bush. The Indian behaviour was very disappointing in the last test. Dhone has taken 2 catchs in the last 2 matchs which clearly bounced but he still appeared to be asking for a replay. What is more disappointin is that the slips fieldsmen didnt say that it didnt carry. IMO they are more to blame then Dhoni. The vulgar site of seeing a bowler chase a batsmen off the field and mock and abuse him is something we dont want in our game. What is disappointing is that people try and justify this behaviour by saying that we need to learn to take our own medicine. Sure, but Mcgrath and Warne who were noted sledgers dont play for us anymore.

It reminds me of the incident of Jones hurling a ball at Hayden in England in 2005 which hit Hayden as he was rehearsing a shot he had just played. Hayden rightfully hit the roof, but English scribes described it as England showing aggresion and all but condoning it. David Lylod (sp) was on air at the time and i distinctly remember him saying something along the lines of "get on with it your big enough". Seeing the English like Collingwood run in and act tough was quite humourous if it wasnt so contrived and put on. Seeing Collingwood go eye to eye with Hayden was also humourous due to the fact that Collingwood had fear written all over him.

If McGrath did what Jones did there would be uproar.

There is double standards rife in cricket.

The old adage of Pride before a fall might prove true again.

[Deadly Outbreak]

I loved it. Australian cricket has started to wane not just because of retirements but the lack of a true international rival. I'm really interested to see what the Australians can come up with to combat India The depth of Indian cricket is amazing, we'll be chasing them for at least the next 5-6 years.

Wasn't this the same stuff written about Australia/England after the ashes were lost?

One game and the rats desert the supposedly sinking ship.

[Belnakor]

Who are you?

Am I meant to be flattered by your assessment?

Because you're the arbiter of what's sense and what's not, aren't you?


now now princess, calm down. What are you? on your period?


Next time, why not just copy my post word-for-word?

uh because my post was different to yours and expanded on your initial comments.

[Belnakor]

We had the better of the first test despite what the Indians say.


this bit of it really had me stumped. We come away from a test where we were on top basically the entire match - yet someone how India came away with a "victory" was very strange indeed.


Other articles from South Africa claiming we are ripe for the picking and an array of other similar joyous headlines prediciting our demise.


Interesting considering it wasn't that long ago we beat them 5-0. Bit like the English press.


What has surprised and dissappointed me is respected journos such as Mike Coward, Mike Selvey, Angus Fraser and the like have basically written us off.


They were full of the same stuff after the 2005 ashes though - guys like Selvey were talking Harmison and Flintoff up going into the series over here. I love archives.



The vulgar site of seeing a bowler chase a batsmen off the field and mock and abuse him is something we dont want in our game. What is disappointing is that people try and justify this behaviour by saying that we need to learn to take our own medicine. Sure, but Mcgrath and Warne who were noted sledgers dont play for us anymore.


The worst mcgrath and warne ever did was when Mcgrath lost his cool at Sarwan - and that wasn't even in the same ball park. Warne generally didn't say too much when the batsmen was dismissed - too busy celebrating.

I would imagine Peter Roebuck would have already written an article about how they need to be caned and punished by now if an Aussie had done that.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

The worst celebration i ever saw from Warne, if you can call it that, was when he abused that Bacher the south african batsmen in South Africa in the early 90's. Saying "**** off, **** off out of here". It was a disgraceful display from Warne, but in fairness it was his first South African tour and by all accounts the crowds were very hostile towards him, he let it get to him and just exploded that day. He was young and relatively new on the seen.

McGrath yelled in Tendulkar's face in the 1999 series which wasnt a nice sight. However, at no stage did Mcgrath chase after Tendulkar. It was still deplorable though and i dont like seeing our cricketers behave like that.

Thankfully, our behaviour has come on in leaps and bounds since then. I was impressed with Haydens behaviour as well in teh first test. Got two bad decisions but walked straight off, no head shaking, no swearing, no lingering at the crease. Nice to see.

[Belnakor]

Ah right yeah thats true - I think Waugh had also waited like 60 overs until he got Warne on for some unknown reason, then Warne got a wicket in his first over and just lost the plot.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

now now princess, calm down. What are you? on your period?That's just grubby and immature.

Grow up.

uh because my post was different to yours and expanded on your initial comments.You expanded on them, did you?

I must have missed that.

Seemed like a pretty straightforward parroting to me.

Not surprising.

[bruce29]

you talk sense some of the time gunnar.

Beating South Africa and the Poms is much more important than beating India in India. Beating them on their turf is such a rare feat that you don't really need to do it, for us to be considered the best team going around.

Its a bit like other teams coming here - if they come away with a draw they've done their job.

When we into the 2001 series with an almost identical record over the last 20 tests, our best team in probably since the invinicibles and we still got done.

Surely you're kidding right?

The fact that it's so tough and rare as you say, is why we need to do it to prove we're still the best team going around.

India-Australia is clearly the no.1 cricket rivalry right now by a stretch, and the ongoing controversies that the various cricket boards and the media are cooking up are keeping 5-day test cricket alive.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Surely you're kidding right?

The fact that it's so tough and rare as you say, is why we need to do it to prove we're still the best team going around.

India-Australia is clearly the no.1 cricket rivalry right now by a stretch, and the ongoing controversies that the various cricket boards and the media are cooking up are keeping 5-day test cricket alive.

Then why are the Indian public staying away in droves? I would think that part of the reason is the Indian people aren't particularly fond of their OWN cricket team right now.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

There is no doubt the Indian public loves 20/20. Lets wait and see how the attendances go now India are in front in the series.

[YOTC]

There is no doubt the Indian public loves 20/20. Lets wait and see how the attendances go now India are in front in the series.
To buy a ticket for the match you had to purchase a 5 day ticket from a nearby bank, which was closed on Sunday.

Of course the crowd was poor. If this happened at the GABBA you would be the first to defend the poor crowds.

Clearly though the Indians have the Australians rocked. It's like watching n00bs trying to fight the trolls on bigfooty. Embarrassing on both accounts.

[likka]

Then why are the Indian public staying away in droves? I would think that part of the reason is the Indian people aren't particularly fond of their OWN cricket team right now.

Indian cricket fans prefer to watch on television. Linking match attendances to the popularity of the team shows how very little you understand of India's cricket fanaticism.

Maybe you should try visiting the place before making idiotic statements like this... although I doubt intolerant xenophobes like you and LtD would ever make the effort.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

xenophobes.

You are a n00b

[likka]

Do you even know what a n00b is?

Calling me and others n00bs is like calling Madonna a virgin.

Get a clue.

[MushroomRocket]

test cricket should die because of 20/20.

cricket was always designed to be a tactical game which requires application more than skill.

the indians will get pissed off with 20/20 just like one-dayers and they will leave in droves.

the international aspect of cricket has been pretty much fried by the sub-continent, which is ironic considering they must promote it better than australia & england.


mark my words:

ONLY test cricket will be left in 10 years time and the australian cricket team will be in the shadow of its former glory.

[Angry_Eel]

Lets wait for the Delhi test to see if Indian public has really turned away from tests. I think the last test was more the result of a oversupplied city(They have had so many matches this year plus around 13 last year) and the bank thing.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Test cricket needs us to come back and win this 3rd test.

The whole test cricket community looks to this series as the pinnacle of the home and away test fixture.

Cricket needs us to get off the canvas and win the 3rd to take the whole thing to a tiebreak in the 4th.

Come on AUSSIE.

[Angry_Eel]

the whole test cricket community. You guys have won for so long i reckon the whole test cricket community is hoping for another whooping of Australia.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Is there such a thing as "the Test cricket community"?

Who's in it?

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Is there such a thing as "the Test cricket community"?

Who's in it?

FFS.

Why do you always have to nitpick?

n00b.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

FFS.

Why do you always have to nitpick?

n00b.Aw.

Have a biscuit.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Aw.

Have a biscuit.

Lets grind.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Lets grind.That's unsettling.

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Thats why i like it.