Cricket Live Links

With Bangladesh vs New Zealand match going on, I doubt if we can have any links for this match.

As everyone expected this match is heading towards a draw and day 2 did not go that well for Indian bowlers. They bowled almost 90 overs but could not manage to pick all the wickets. Except Ishant and RP none of the other bowlers were impressive and that makes things bit difficult of who would be 3rd Seamer in Perth if they decide to go with 1 spinner. Hope they will get quick wickets and then either Karthik or Sehwag show some form with bat to make it a easy and obvious choice for the opening slot in Perth.

After watching Bangladesh performance in this tour, its very unlikely that Bangladesh can manage a draw or win in this final test of the two match test series. Nevertheless the opening pair entertained the crowd in the 2nd innings of 1st test which was already lost by then. Hope Bangladesh will lift their performance and put show some. While New Zealand will be looking forward for a clean sweep here.

Lets hope we get to see some good cricket from both teams.

Day 1 of the match completely belonged to South Africa and from here on only one team can win and it has to be South Africa. South Africa won the toss and put West Indians to bat and an calypso collapse in batting order.To add to that, South African’s scored runs at strike rate of ODI.

Day 1 of the practice match must had increased the concerns over the team selection for 3rd Test in perth with the failure of Sehwag, Karthik, Yuvraj. If it helped someone then it must be Dravid and Jaffer to regain some kind of form.

The choice for openers is still a confusion after both Sehwag and Karthik failed to impress on Day 1, but its may be worth gambling with Sehwag rather than Karthik.

With absensce of Gayle, it will be tougher task for West Indies to compete in the final test. Winner of the match will win the series as well and SA will be more than hopeful to bag it against depleted West Indies.

Will anyone from WI team can step-up and take responsibility in absence of Gayle is to be watched.

The warm-up match between India and Act Invitational XI has gone into backgroundwith the drama surrounding 2nd Test in Sydney. Though the Drama hasn’t ended yet with media trying to dig into every possible news which can be sensationalized to gain audience, Team India will be playing against Act Invitational XI is charity and warm-up match. There are no famous names in the Invitational XI line up. India will also be resting its in form players(Sachin/Sourav/Kumble) and give chance to other players on bench. Hope India can perform well and divert the media from the issues surrounding Sydney test.

We are not sure if we can have any links here as only Star Cricket, India will be broadcasting this match live. But as we always say the links will be posted here if there are any available elsewhere on Internet.

At the end of day 4 all three results were still possible and I guess the 1st session play on day 5 will rule out at-least one result.

Will Ricky Ponting declare in 1st session and if so how many more runs are required for Aussies to feel comfortable. And one question which will be running on many Indian fans will be if the target is less than 300 with 70 odd overs will India go for the win or take defensive approach as always. If it was SA was in place of India, I must had bet my right eye on aggressive approach but knowing India I have my doubts. How much Aussies play down the record winning streak, it will be definitely running in their minds and they would like to make it 16. Hayden already hinted Aussies will go for win.

I can’t wait for the match and lets pray there will not be any rain today and we get the full 90 overs to make it interesting.

I’m excited and I guess so will be you

Excellent cricket from Bangladesh left many cricket fans surprised and even though Kiwis are favorites, full credit to the two openers for their record opening partnership for Bangladesh who provided good entertainment and sending out the message of what to come in rest of the series.

On Day 2, Bell and Oram resumed their innings and went on to make centuries. Bell must be very happy about the century he had scored after 7 years and it was important for him to secure his place for the next few matches. Bangladesh bowlers did a good job to restrict Kiwis to 357.

Bangladesh openers had done a great job and quickly put on 148 runs with out losing any wickets. Both the openers got the fifties and looking postive. With another 10 wickets in hand they should fancy every chance of forcing New Zealand to bat againd and who knows if every thing goes well for them, they can even push the match to one more day which seemed impossible yesterday.

One more batting disaster for WI and its very hard for them to comeback in to this match anymore. Only thing which can save West Indies is either a rain or blistering innings from Gayle.

South Africa need couple of wickets early to level the series. You can catch all the live action using the links exchanged in comments.

They way things have gone on Day 3, Aussies will be under more pressure compared to India as they will be looking to win the match rather than a draw to extend their winning streak. Considering Aussies still trailing by 56 runs, even if they score 350 today it may not be a good idea to declare with a target of 300 considering the form Sachin/Sourav/Laxman are in. But somewhere in the corner I feel they are going to do that exactly and if that happens I would like to see a bit shuffle in Indian batting order.

Sourav and Sachin resumed the innings on Day 3 and Sourav started playing aggressive cricket and scored 67 in no time before getting out because of lazy shot while Sachin slowly accumulating his runs. Once Sourav departed, limited over star Yuvraj arrived at the crease and was confused soul against the spin and Hogg literally made him dance. Ponting took a bit of gamble and went for new ball and Lee dismissed Yuvraj, Dhoni and Kumble in no time. Everyone must had lost the hope that India will touch 400 figure but under Sachin guidance harbhajan, RP and Ishant put together 180 runs along with Sachin. Sachin was not explosive but it was very matured and planned innings.

May be for the first time in recent times, Aussies are put under pressure and it will be tested how well they can handle the situation which they have never been in before.