Transcript of the Commentary - Zimbabwe Innings

Prem: and with that, zimbabwe all out for 196, one of those tricky totals to chase,s should be fun to follow the action, be back in 45 minutes with the Indian response. meanwhile, to posters -- being sunday,there are no techies around to cut and paste your comments back onto this frame. so if you post from here on, you wont find it appearing. thanks. bye for now.

Prem: there's the wickt, strang backing away, trying to cut, missing, wanting the run, mongia breaks the stumps and he's gone.

abhay () See what I told u.. should have brought Tend in earlier.. Classic example of india winning this match DESPITE Azza captaincy.. he sucks as a captain.. period ------------------ Raj.Venkateswaran (Raj.venkateswaran@bnpgroup.com) Coming back to the captaincy issue, Tendulkar is too valuble as a player to be tried as a captain. Why not try Kuble. He is aggressive, has a good record and will be respected by his teammates and is a shrewd guy. Prem: agarkar again, short on middle, hit on the up and a single. zim getting very close to the 200 mark, fine recovery this.

Prem: whittall the new man in, and first up, got his front foot across, got under a yorker and four, wide of fine leg, good thinking circiketk there.

Prem: abhay:: for the last time, I will remain "uncharacteristically" silent on every damn thing that has nothing to do with the match I am covering. For god's sake, don't you guys read? there is a post up there on top, meant for you guys. be obliged if you could cast your eyes over it, thanks.

Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) I think, we, guys are too much patriotic (including me). When India is not playing, Prem gets lot of time to discuss with us (as there are only a couple of people live in the discussion, some time times nil). ---------------- Abhay () dogmatic>> How are u bud? Prem remains uncharacteristically silent on the Bal T issue. I dont blame him though.. That Bal T can throw some goondas at you -------------- Suraj () Kasim, u think it makes me happy...? Prem: and there's the wicket, yorker, predictable at this stage, brandes went too far down to leg to hit to cover, missed, and out went the middle stump.

Prem: dogmatic:: I did put that post up, but dont mess the cricket commentary transcropt up with politics, okay? thanks. agarkrkar to brandes, clubed to long off, two to start the final over.

zz (zz@hotmail.com) every one infront of AZHAR is nothing except tendulkar( I admire him as the best player in the world today). Jaddu doesn't seems to be fit for test matches. Kambli is in and out(no doubt he is good batsmen, but he lost his place b'coz of misconduct), everyone seems to be woried about their places in INDIAN TEAM. If they play for themselves how can they play for india. To lead this country with this kind of bowling and to win matches U need guts and ofcourse brains ha ha ha ..... ------------------- abhay () Finally, Azza the idiot wakes up.. and gets tendulkar in. ---------------- Vijay (usd0002c@hotmail.com) Ankur>Dravid is recovering from what? Mental trauma caused by the realization that he is NO GOOD ? ------------------ Krishna Kaliappan () Suraj, Most of us who criticises Azhar are great fans of him when he was not captain of our team. We are criticising only his captaincy. People cannot excuse for having limited bowling opportunities. Look at Ranatunga, with limited sources, he can win the World cup, there lies the captaincy. ---------------- tendulkar () Ganguly had a tough time holding on to the catch, he had nearly dropped it Prem: Uh oh -- that one, brandes heaved high, the ball straight in the air, down jadeja's throat, and he of all people flubs a sitter. two more.

Prem: now the leg break, strang sweeps and misses. good over this is turning into, just two so far, two balls to go, strang on strike, a huge heave, but just one to mid on.

Prem: sachin to brandes, puished that one through, brandes gets one to cover. ball three, outside off, pushed through again and mongia takes as strang misses on the cut.

dogmatic () wasssup ppl....abhey any news from prem on BAL T ------------------- Kasim () Suraj, Mind your comments. You cannot just accuse some one like that. Maybe thats what u do. Prem: ball one, flighted on off and strang takes it on the full, swings it round, single to midwicket.

Prem: Tendulkar now to bowl, the 49th coming up, strang on strike, this should be interesting. off spin, leg spin or seam up? you never knwo with this guy.

Prem: agarkar, and this time strang clubs him back down the track, single to long off, three in the over.

Ankur () I think that Azza and dravid have a very similarity in there batting but now that Azza is out of from and Dravid is recovering there shold be something done --------------- Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) Prem, you mean to say, GANGULY is also FIELDING (I mean good enough to be praised) Prem: brandes on strike, into the 5th ball of the 48th, brings one back in, edge onto pad and a single.

Prem: agarkar here keeping a very tight three quarter length, strang looking to play inside out but the ball following him, three dot balls upping the ante for him, he goes down the track, then dabs it through point, just the one

Kasim () Srinath, Now he is supposed to be the spearhead of our attack. What has he been doing lately everybody knows. So what can a captain do. Also Kumble has not been what he is. I guess if Sachin is used regularly then he will not be that effective. ------------------ Vijay (usd0002c@hotmail.com) Sunil>I guess when your tlent is way above the average of your team mates (As azza's is), it's easy to try to relate to them.. Whereas, when u know you are much better than all the others in the team (As SRT does)it's difficult to mix even if you are very humble.. ------------- Himanshu (hdhamdhere@hotmail.com) tendulkar>> I think 5 months gives enough of time for expericed player like Kambli to come and play. For the other thing is Amay has not been tried at international level yet and Kambli is better bat since he has faced lot intl side has been good. For ur 2 nd comment I think once in while it is okay to shuffle but it is advisable not to play with ur batting line up.Singh was exception while Jadeja has found the place he should come i.e is at lower middle order. -------------- () I see from ur comments about making use of sachin/gaguly/shastri that u guys never played any cricket in ur life i mean cricket at a higher level because most of the comments are analytical rather than practical.A non regular bowler is tried only when the regular bowlers fail.After all the batsmen is not there to bowl....also the real mettle of a bowler can be known when he bowls under pressure...so expose him to it and repeatedly if u r looking at him as a long stay...like agarkar etc..Things are diff on field guys.All the best. ------------------- raghu () All the Indian cricket team needs is a Bill Parcells.. -------------------- mickey (sarkar@hotmail.com) Absolutely right Abhay, That is just poor captaincy. ----------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Who will bowl the 49th over. Again, Tendu will be asked to do so. Prem: the streak innings has now given the bowlers something to aim at, really -- came in with the score 80-something for five and he's really seen them to a good total.

Prem: that should bring on brandes, again a batsman who can hit the ball a fair way, powerfullly built bloke, and with just 3 to go after this over, I dont think there is going to be any hanging around now. end of the over, 175/8 in 47.

Suraj () I was a great fan of Azza but after the match fixing incident even if he scores 300 runs and takes 2 hat tricks in an ODI, its not enuf ...he's lost his goodwill.... Prem: great innings this from streak when zimbabwe was in shambles, and a standing ovation as he walks back. gannguly for that had to run in from fine leg, and took the catch at short fine, which involved some doing.

Prem: srinath to streak, now, two left in the over and streak tries to club it over square leg, superbly judged catch by ganguly who had a long way to run, and ganguly holds brilliantly.

Abhay () Agarkar getting hit .. 9 run in the over... Need Tendulkar in NOW...Azza showing his captaincy again.. He really sucks ------------------- There was no time in Azzu's career where he was safe in the team. We should giev him credit for hanging on.. REmember he was axed once and told that it was a rest given to him ----------------- Rocket () Drop Jadeja!!!! ---------------- mickey (sarkar@hotmail.com) Anandha what are you talking about? Azhar never blunders with bowling resources? yeah right! He almost never uses the proper bowlers at the right time. That's what people mean when they say Azhar doesn't go for the kill when the opposition is down. ----------- Bull () Is Sachin going to bowl the 48th and the 50th? ----------- sunil (sxa650@css1.bham.ac.uk) the problem for india is that they have got nobody to replace azhar as captain. having talked to several indian players i know that they feel the same way. one of the reasons that sachin failed as captain was because he felt that he was above all the other players. azhar tries to relate to the players which is why he has been more successful. Prem: srinath now to strang, who goes across way down towards off and gets the single square on the on.

Prem: srinath now to streak, he steps to leg, that is a very good shot -- that ball in fact was very full and bang on off, streak got under the yorker, took it on the full and slammed it voer cover, four, that shot took a lot of power to get it right. ball three, streak driving to long on, single.

tendulkar () Both learned their batting skills after making it to the team !! ------------------ tendulkar () U know whats common between Ravi Shastri & Saurav Ganguly ? ---------- Bull () BTW, that is Streak's first ODI 50! ---------------- Peter Cawood (brickdes@harare.iafrica.com) Thats Heath Streak's highest ODI score previous 48 no Prem: srinath to strang who steps way and chops it down to third man, single.

Prem: inswwinging full toss, strang gets one to the push to mid on, end of the 46th and four more to go.

abhay () All this debate about Azza as a captain... is futile. We know he sucks as a captain but India has no choice but to go with him till WC99 because we have no other alternative --------------------- raghu () The performance of Tendulkar under Azhar makes one wonder what could have been had Azhar given the same kind of effort under sachin!! Suraj () Good thing for our team is that newer people like Robin, Agarkar are showing the fighting spirit that only Sachin seems to have -------------- Ankur () The bowling has been excellent by the Indians especially by the spinners GOOOD JOB KEEP IT UP INDIA Prem: agarkar and streak chips, in the air and a great stop on the run by chopra, that was going for four when the fielder got there, just two and the throw rockets into mongia's gloves from the line.

Prem: that's abut the first time the indians have let one go in the field in a long time. agarkar this time in the blockhole for strng, played to mid off, single.

Anandha (Anandha@jagat.net) I agree Krishnen B. Azhar has not been very innovative but he has never blundered in using the bowling resources. In recent times India has always restricted the opposition to (todays) reasonable one day scores and defended good scores very well. It is the batting performance that is unpredictable, on which the captain has little control. ---------- Vijay (usd0002c@hotmail.com) Hi all..Great show by the Indians..Or is it very poor show by Zim. ? -------------- Rocket () Jadeja is not when india chases. His performances are sketchy at best. Does anybody think we need to consider his position also up for grabs? ------------- Hemant (hemant@mailexcite.com) Balu,I would like to second u.I think Azhar is a highly overrated captain. Come on after somuch years in the saddle he can barely mumble. He can never be blamed for having shrewd captaincy. He can not even run intelligently after playing 300games at the top level. his bowling changes even a doneky could make.I still feel Jadeja is the man for ODIs at least. Azhar has been a great selfless cricketer an outstanding fielder an all-India star but his captaincy itis a discussion for another day. ---------------- Ramesh () Azzu seems to repeat his blunders. He does not utilize his talent well. I thought Ravi Shastri was a better bowler than bat. But azzu never used him. Now he is not using Ganguly/Robin etc. We coul have an extra batsman if rightly used Prem: agarkar now to streak, on off, clipped to midiwcket, kumble lunges to his left but drops the catch, two more and that is streak's 50, very good innings and deserves the applause he is getting. yhorker, he digs it out, single.

Prem: 5 overs left in the innings so about this time, the zimbabwe batsmen should be looking at some long handle stuff. strang on strike to agarkar, he goes to leg, agarkar fires the yorker in at him, the block and streak is running with the ball, they get the single.

Prasad () Guys lets accept that Sachin is the main stay of Indian cricket right now.And he seems to be doing well without captaincy rather than with captaincy. It implies that he is mentally was/is mentally not mature to handle the pressure of captaincy.So, why debate about Azhar being captain or not...the more important thing is Sachin has to contribute if India has to win.So let things be as they are.... Moreover, India does not have enough talent to replace a guy like Azza..atleast right now. ---------- PC () Pssstttt folks Azhar is actually a CIA agent and Prem is his controller. the Americans are trying to destroy our country through a secret takeover of the cricket team --------- KB, You are dead right in your comments. ------------ raghu (rraman@cis.ksu.edu) Where are those who cried out loud for Azhar's head? Prem: one ball left in the 45th, zim were 146/6 in 40, srinath to streak, short on middle and lifting, streak plays to midwicket, just two in the over.

Prem: srinath to streak, full toss on off and finds cover on the push.

Prem: srinath, to strang, into the 45th over, strang down the track, hits to mid on, they run with the shot and tendulkar mises the stumps by a fraction, the batsman was way short when the tthrow came in.

Prem: srinath again, to strang, strang this time looking to play on the on but cramped for room, no run.

Prem: srinath to strang who moves to leg and looks to cut, srinath follows him, beats the bat for pace and bounce.

Prem: 45th over coming up, 5 more after this and eddo brandes for one has the knack of hitting the odd big blow. 3.56 the run rate now, as srinath readies to continue. streak on strike. ball one on off, played through cover, single.

vprabhu () If things are going well why make a bowling change . tendulkar can be rested for bowling and he will be more relaxed to bat ------------ Krishna Kaliappan () Ramesh, I agree with you. Azhar doesn't deserve all the credit for India's victory. Ranatunga and Steve Waugh can take more credit for their victories because they lead the team from the front. --------------- Ankur () Hi guys just came on and India look like to be on top zz (zz@hotmail.com) Thanks Kasim for UR compliments, all I can say that ghadoan ko zafran ki kya khadar. -------- Tendulkar () Himanshu >> By making WC99 as the case u have weakened tohe case more for Kambli, who has been out of any form of cricket for long and will take his time to come back to form, while Amey is ripe now for the WC. The point was it is unfair to label anybody middle order or up in the order in today's competitive cricket a in form player like Amey should be able to play at any position like Jadeja, Azhar, Singh --------------- Venkat () Signing off - Good luck to Indians - Prem will read your report on the morrow. thanks Prem: this time, streak flicks through mid on, single to end the over.

Prem: streak and srinath keeps that one slower, beats the flick, rapped on the pad but high and on line of leg, no problem.

Prem: ball four, off driven, single to strang.

Prem: kumble on strike to streak. through cover, single of the first ball. strang this time, pushing and finds midwicekt. ball three, the attempt tocut, too close to the stumps, though, cramps him, no run.

Krishnan Balakrishnan (krishnan@etl.go.jp) I think that Azhar has the same luxury of having many one day bowlers at his disposal. But he doesn't seem to exploit that. He could always chip in a couple of overs by Sachin, Ganuguly, Jadeja, Singh etc. Azhar never tries new things. Especially Ganguly and Sachin are very decent ODI bowlers. Azhar wins because of the presence of some great talents like himself (only as a batsman and fielder), Sachin "TON"dulkar, Ganguly, Jadeja, not to forget Robin and also because of level headedness of Sachin (mind there is big power struggle among players in Pakistan team etc). Contribution of Azhar's captaincy to Indian wins is virtually nothing. One thing we must appreciate, though he doesn't try anything new, at the same time, he doesn't do anything stupid (as he always does things only after that particular tactics is tested down to Taluk level cricket in India and abroad). That we must be happy. Prem: srinath again, this time strang beaten as srinath pushes that one through at top pace, beats the bat outsdie off. again the fast delviery this one on the stumps, no run.

Prem: outside off this time and strang runs it down to backward point, single.

Prem: streak this time goes to leg, looking for the space over cover, srinath follows him, streak shuts the bat face, gets one on the on side, to midwicket.

Ramesh () Guys dont give Azhar undue credit.. The reason he has hung in so far is becoz of his fielding. His personal record and team record is only in India. And believe me Azzu dosent have a clue when facing genuine fast ------------------ Kunal Goklany (kgoklany@ft1999.rsm.nl) I mentioned this a couple of overs ago that they need the killer's spirit to nail down the opponents. Hope Srinath is brought back on the other end ---------------------- bahut zyada sundari () with 9 overs left.. srinath 3, Agar 3, kum 2.. and joshi failing now... Need one over from Tend/Gangs or singh.. my choice Tend... and do it next over Prem: streak on strike, srinath the bowler. into the 43rd here, on off and the push carries it to point, no run.

vprabhu () Even Azhar does this don't call the players boys.it might make them feel small ---------------------- Ramesh () The problem with the Indian attack is we dont have an ace who could rip through the tail. ------------ Rocket () Joshi has this tendency to get hit for lot of runs in a few overs. This is really worrying. Today o wickets compenste. Any comments. -------------- Suraj () I hope our wise men dont screw up Agarkar as they did Srinath n Prasad. -------------- amit (amit@csfb.com) If Zim can get it around to 210 and strike early, it could be quite a match One thing is certain , this Zim side has definitely discovered that it too can PLAY Prem: ball four, the flipper, cramps strang on the push, no run. strang was tryying to move to leg, bit too early in the day for that, though. next ball, looks to flick and mises, end of the over.

Prem: kumble continues, paul strang the new man,

Prem: good work by wishart, batting through the overs, getting zimbabwe back inot the ggame in company of streak, all the good work spoilt by that familiar weakness -- the misplaced attempt to sweep.

Kasim () zz, Thanks. Finally there is some gentleman out there. These guys are groaning about Azhar like hell. I mean what bad has he brought to the team. As u said to captain with this kind of bowling, fielding and brittle batting and still win quite a good number of matches is a big deal. ---------------- Himanshu (hdhamdher@hotmail.com) tendulkar>> Ganguly had much time to adjust to the postion as opner, which Amay does not have considering WC is around the corner which makes it safe to have Kambli if there is choice between the two ------------ Krishna Kaliappan () I don't remember which match exactly, but Khurasia has opened the batting. So, he can bat anywhere the team management asks him to bat. Prem: there goes the wicket, wishart misreading the flipper, went for a huge sweep, missed and was caught plumb in front.

Prem: wishart onto the back foot to ball two, plays to cover, single.

Prem: Kumble back into the attack and streak clubs him towards long on, huge swing of the bat but just the one.

Krishna Kaliappan () Now, it looks like India's familiar story. After bowling well initially, they are just relaxing. Come on boys and finish Zimbabwe's tail faster. Prem: here we go, change of ball needed, apparently the one being used has gone green. lull in play, meanwhile, 9 overs to go in the innings.

bahut sundari: Joshi 24 runs in last two overs... time to take him out --------- Prasad () All said and done, Azhar is the most successful captain of all times. He is the most successful captain with respect to this performance also.Even guys like kapil could not deliver properly when made captain.Also tendu did not bat as well as a captain as Azza has done.Maybe Tendu was given captaincy prematurely..... ------- Ramesh () Its time for India's ace to bowl. Come on Tendu --------- Bull () Prem>> Srikanth?? How far back into the past did you go!! ------- Suraj () Krishna, i agree...Azhar played atrociously under SAchin... ---------- GK () Prem! When did Srikanth get into Indian Team as a bowler. ???? -------------- Kasim () I think uare in a rush. I did not compare Azhar with Sachin. You did not get the message. Forget it. ------------ Venkat () One good over for Zim - they have regained some respectability in score. Prem: srinath to streak, who finds midwicket with the attempted pull, no run.

Prem: srinath now to wishart, who steps to off and hits to midwicket, finds the sweeper, single.

Prem: srinath to streak, this one is the outswinger, streak flicks, in the air but just that yard short of jadeja at midwicket, single.

Prem: srinath again, wide of the crease, gets this short and lifting on off and forces streak to defend.

Dhirendra () Partnership for 7th wk is best so far. -Dhirendra ---------- Anandha (Anandha@jagat.net) I hope Zimbabwe score some runs and still India win. That will do both their run rates a world of good and hopefully help Zim. into the final ahead of SL. ----------- tendulkar () Himanshu>> Who told you that Amey is strictly middle order. When Ganguly cam in, which order was he, nor even lower order ? Prem: srinath to streak, lovely yorker that. nothing for it but to dig it out.

Prem: change now, with srikanth coming back, wishart clubs it to long on, single off the frit ball has streak on strike.

sundari () Prem>> I love you also man --------- zz (zz@hotmail.com) captaincy bacchaon ka khel nahin, why don't india produce a good captain like azhar, his records are prooven, he is the best captain of all times, he holds the world record of winning the tournaments, why can't U all justify that he has held and lead this country so long without any doubt with this kind of bowling. --------- Prasad () i personally dont think Zim are going to cross 180 ....180 also looks remote --------------- Himanshu (hdhamdhere@hotmail.com) tendulkar>> Kambli can come one down or can come in middle order while Amay Khuresia is strictly middle order bat Prem: from 109/6 in 35 to 146/6 in 40, the best five over spell in a long time.

Prem: joshi to streak, again he goes for the inside out hit, and again, manages to clear srinath at long on, so after 40, zimbabwe on to 146/6.

Prem: abhjay:: the prem posting in light is not me, pal -- mine come in bold. streak meanwhile has been trying for that one for a while, finally gets the inside out hit right over the top, clears long on, that's the first six of the match.

Himanshu (hdhamdhere@hotmail.com) tendulkar>> Kambli can come one down or can come in middle order while Amay Khuresia is strictly middle order bat --------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Kasim, please don't compare Azhar and Tendu. Tendu has won so many matches for India on his own. Everyone is grateful to him and to also young Azhar. If you look at the no of runs scored by Azhar under Tendu's captaincy and Tendu's runs under Azhar's captaincy, you will find answer for everything. Please don't support anybody blindly. Try to have some logic behind everything. ---------- Ramesh () Prem:: Is chopra as good as his figures show?? Ywes Zim has easy time against Lankan Spinners.. ------------ abhay () Prem >> No need to get cranky... We love you man! Prem: joshi to streak who goes a long way outside leg to hit over cover, joshi follows him, forces the paly off the hips, one more.

Prem: 11 overs to go, so around now, zimbabwe will need to begin a push to try and get around 200, at the least -- trick being to keep the wickets standing. joshi, the on drive first ball from wishart fetches one.

Annie () I hope India wins..its past midnight here in Australia..hope to read the good news tomorrow..bye all. Jai Hind, Jai Tendulkar Prem: agarkar to wishart, last ball of the 39th, yorker length, dug out, single to long on.

Prem: agarkar and a lovely slower ball, streak blocks and runs, both batsmen pusing the singles just now.

Prem: agarkar, the yorker, blocked and they run for it, one more, this time wishart the batsman

Prem: agarkar, and this time, the cover drive from streak to a ball of full length, single.

Anandha (Anandha@jagat.net) Well, if there is one team with more talent and aggression than India but still unsuccessful, it is Pakistan. After Imran their captaincy itself is not sorted out. Having Azhar as a regular captain for a long stint has definitely benefitted India. He could have been better but India could very well have been worse ala Pakistan. ------------------ Krishna Kaliappan () Time for Tendu to squeeze two overs. -------------- abhay () Need wicket now... otherwise all the advantage is going to be wiped out in the last 12 overs... These batsmen look set and ready to explode ----------------- prem () Why not bring in Tendulkar now ? Prem: agarkar, and wishart thumps him back, great stop by agarkar on the follow through. ball two, slightly short, swuing around, sigle to mid on.

Prem: susheel:: I seem to answer this one about twice per match -- oh well. kambli not yet fully over his broken ankle, just back in the nets, not even fit for the Bombay team.

Kasim () Krishna kaliappam ji , You seem to be very ungratefull. You should actually be proud to have had a batsman like Azhar. Guys like u will spare no one not even Sachin tomorrow. If Sachin does not play today(God forbid) then as per your logic he should not be played in the next match let alone Azhar. Grow up man. ------------------ tendulkar () Why Kambli and not Amay Khuresia ? Prem: paddle this time, good running gets two this proving a productive ovver for zim, thus far. last ball of the over, flighted, driven, joshi dives and stops, no run.

Prem: this time, wishart drives through cover off the back foot, one more.

Prem: joshi again to streak who squares up and pushes to mid on, single. 38th over in progress here.

Susheel () Hi Prem: Could u please tell us what is the situation with Vinod Kambli. I feel it is terrible Badluck on his part to suffer when he came back in to the team and come as a sub to get injured like that. I wish him very well and come backs to team soon. -------------------- murali () Azhar should retire - he is a unimaginative captain and a poor batsmen lately - one 50 in every 6 innings serves no purpose -------------------- Dhirendra () Deepam >> where from you ? I think we know each other- Dhirendra Prem: ball two, streak gets under it nicely, swings it over midiwcket, four.

Prem: joshi continues, wishart works the single off his hips to midwicket.

Prem: this one was short, agarkar was looking for that shot, streak does mistijme the pull but the ball lands beteen midwicket and mid on, two more.

Prem: oops, that could have been a bad move -- streak chips, doesnt get hold of it properly, just clears midwicket but the ball runs away for two more.

Venkat () Guys... Go easy on the posting you seem to fragmenting Prem's Ball by Ball stuff. --------------- abhay () Finally, Azza is thinking.. Intro of Agarkar was long overdue -------------- asish (asish@worldnet.att.net) We are have played 5 bowlers in the last two matches. However, against stroer batting think this tactic y be very risky. Dravid could be tried in NZ, the conditions may be similar to thosein England during WC'99. -------------- Bull () Suraj >> If Kambli hits another of his 200s for Mumbai, maybe he can make it to the tests! The ODIs, I doubt!! Prem: ball three, agarkar to streak, bang on off this ttime, slightly shorter, played back to the bwler and jadeja at mid on walks up to agarkar, applauding. nice line thus far, full length, here he goes again, ball four, just short, streak tries to pull but the away seam movement gets the ball on the bottom of the bat, finds midwicket, no run.

Prem: there's that yorker to start with, and streak digs it out. agarkar waving the sweeper at midwicket wider, which could mean he wants to try the batsman on the pull. ball two though is on off and streak finds piont on the push, no run

Kasim () Murali, Just dont make blunt statement. Put some logic in them. I think u just woke up, thats what u said. ---------------------- Himanshu (hdhamdhere@hotmail.com) Suraj>> Kambli would come after his recovery that is very soon ----------- murali () I think Azza will be a failure in UK if he plays at No. 3 -------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Please dont blame Azza always. At times he, too, has done some good things for India (sometimes by mistake). Hope he does one more by choosing his retirement soon. Prem: streak on strike and it IS agarkar, coming on for kumble.

Dhirendra () Hemant , Satish >> The way sohil bated in Shara cup is not he is know for. He always struggled. Just managed to hang-out there in one match and that's all. I am sure you must be following his performance against AUS in Test, In 2 ODI and one ODI in Dhaka. -Dhirendra Dhirendra () Hemant , Satish >> The way sohil bated in Shara cup is not he is know for. He always struggled. Just managed to hang-out there in one match and that's all. I am sure you must be following his performance against AUS in Test, In 2 ODI and one ODI in Dhaka. -Dhirendra ----------------- Susheel () Guys, you are all talking about captain only when he is doing bad. How about our friend (ha ha) Javed Miandad the Coach. Everyone praised him when they won Sahara Cup. So let us give debit also to him. ---------------- abhay () Bad captaincy Azza... must bring Sachin in to bowl offies (as opposed to kumbles) Prem: deepam:: very little, in fact, none. 200-ish and the zim fielding might have put some pressure, but this kind of total is a cakewalk, really, they need to see off brandes and streak, but johnson could end up going big.

Prem: ball two streak off the back foot finds mid on for the sigle, fielder pushed back after that four he hit in the previous over. wishart on strike, off the back foot drives through cover, single.

Deepam (dmishra@sarnoff.com) Prem, a question for you? What is the probability of our batsmen spoiling this match? not entirely ruled out knowing our consistent inconsistency, eh? ------------------- Hemant (Hemany@mailexcite.com) Tendulkar:I would like to believe this was Rahul's last ODI in Sub-continent attheleast. i think Dravid should be equated with Atherton and how he is a liability in Sub-continent but an asset elsewhere. Dravid should take it as a matter-of-fact. Just two good knocks does not maketh a carerr. -------------- Krishna Kaliappan () No, Dravid will play for India in WC 99. Because, in England noone would like to come one down, that too, in the first few overs. -------------------- Suraj () No place for Kambli in this line up, junta? Prem: these two will be looking to try and bat out as many overs as possible, might be interesting at this point to bring back agarkar, and try his yorkers, but for now, joshi to continue, bowling to streak.

Prem: Kumble, last ball of the 35th, wishart flicks, one more, square on the on. 109/6 in 35, moving on from 92/6 in 30.

murali () Should Dravid be played? ------------------- supriya (supsiyer@yahoo.com) hi everyone.... just joined the commentary..it is morning here.... so in whose favour the game going... ------------------ murali () Hey folks I feel Azza should still be chucked out! Prem: next ball, driven to mid on, kumble goes across to stop, non striker and kumble both go tumbling, after all the fuss, no run. ball four, streak drives, single.

Prem: back after the break, and kumble will resume, bwoling to streak who tries to club a flipper through mid off, mishits, finds the fielder. ball two, this time the drive, brings in the sweeper, one more.

Sundar G (bull@blr.sni.de) That was only the 6th boundary of the innings.. --------------------- Suraj (gautamg@mailexcite.com) I only hope our guys dont lose from a winning position. ----------------- Venkat () A four after an hour's batting, I suppose. ------------------ Dhirendra () kaliappan >> I know that SA did submit a report about umpiring to ICC. Captains are not suppose to make any comments on this issue. The process is captain report to team management and team management forward it to ICC. Thats precisely what Cronje and co did in ENG. No action so far. -Dhirendra tendulkar () Is this tournament the end for Rahul Dravid ? ---------- Hemant (hemant@mailexcite.com) Dhirendra.u obviously donotknow ur cricket. Sohail had the most significant contribution in the Sahara tourney. Right thru the tourney Indian bowling suffered coz PAKis had above 50 partnership for second wk and for the Sohail was largely instrumental.Why India lost is lack of Sachin or a good opener with Sidhu once Ganguly bubble was burst. ------------------- Satish () Abhay>> hey, come on.. just once ina while is Ok, I guess... anyways.. Dhirendra>> What was Sohail's contribution at Toronto?? Bowled beautifully in game 4, hit a magnificent unbeaten match-winning knock in the 5th game... --------------- Rahul () Dhirendra..Sohail is one of the worst characters in int'l cricket right now..the man has no shame...no integrity and has nothing to gain anybody's respect as a human being.... and cannot handle criticism at all..!!! Prem: and with that, drinks on the field, 16 overs left to go, taking a breather, se you guys in two.

Prem: finally, streak forward, gets the ball at the pitch, up and over mid on, four. Almost all fielders are up inside the circle, so that hit was on.

Krishna Kaliappan () Atlast Zimb has crossed the 100 mark. So, Tendu can aim for one more century, if he keeps his eyes on. ------------- Venkat () These guys are batting as though they had Vodka during the drinks interval. ------------ Hemant (hemant@mailexcite.com) I think Azhar should go for the jugular by calling India's best bowler SACHInnnn Tendooolkaaar!!!! Prem: joshi to streak, going wide of the crease this time and angling in on off and middle, defensive push. ball four, joshi to streak, nice variety here form the left armer, this one is from close tothe stumps, gets it on off, palyed to midwicket, no run. ball five, close tothe stumps again and gain, streak defends.

Prem: 17 overs to go in the innings,and joshi the b bowler, draws wishart forward, he tries to run it down and finds azhar in the way at short third man. ball two, the sweep but straight to the sweeper, single.

Dhirendra () Rahul >> I agree !! As far as Pak is concern, I have not seen Sohil playing his game since he became the captain. They won Sahara cup by 4-1 but look what was sohil's contribution? nothing. -Dhirendra -------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Dhirendra, Unless ICC receives written complaints from Captains about the umpires inefficiency, they cannot write to the respective board and look for a better umpire. I doubt ICC has received any complaints about the umpires. If they have received they should contact the respective board. Otherwise, they are differentiating players and umpires. Abhay () Satish >> We know all the "sonias" in the world.. pls do not clutter this space with persnal introductions -------------- tendulkar () Take the case of Robin Singh, he made to India side after his prime. Whose fault ? Prem: kumble now to streak, the flick, in the air and just wide of midwicekt, almost a repirse of the way Goodwin went, but too wide to make a catch of it. two to the sweeper brings up the 100, at 3.07 per over.

Prem: kumble to streak, who finds midwicket with the push, not able to get past midwicket. ball four, a push and mid on, sachin, does the tidying up.

Shriram () SAtish, don't know her. I am a freshman, undergrad. ---------------- tendulkar () Are we looking at 120-130 as final score ? Prem: Kumble being brought back, replacing chopra, and the field still up and tight, wishart on strike with silly point in place, he goes back and flicks, misses, that could have been disaster, faintest of nicks means the LBW is not on, but that was real close.

tendulkar () Nikki should have always been prefered over Bajju, if you compare their domestic performance. Unfortunately, still the talents of Delhi, Bombay and Madras suffer due to regional bias ----------------- Venkat () Great effort from chopra 21/2 in 10 overs - As miserly as BS Bedi. --------------- Hemant (hemant@mailexcite.com) It is all very lovely to hear how indians are fielding so tight,now that they are taking wickets. What they should be doing is even when the chips are down too the fielding should be tight .'Coz that causes batsmen to be circumspect and bowlers feel the support look at SA.Except Donald and Pollock rest of them are just average. ---------- murali (muralit27@hotmail.com) Prem, How do u find Joshi's bowling so far- ever since he was brought back? -------------- Satish () Shriram>> U from CMU? Know Sonia Saldanha, Masters in Public Policy and Planning?? Good friend of mine.., did her under-grad with me in India Prem: joshi now to streak, floated in on off, the arm ball, defensive push. last ball of the 32nd, joshi to streak with zim going at 3.04, a push through piont, single, three in the over.

Prem: that was outstading. the cover drive, and robin dived a long way, stopped it dead, no run. joshi this time flights, tosses it right up, has the batsman defending. ball four, again the flight, this time the line varies, on middle, single to the push to mid off.

abhay () Bravo .. Nikhil chopra --------------------- Rahul () haha...Pakistan 0-2and I bet Sohail will blame his "boys" for the loss..!! ----------------- Dhirendra () Kaliappan >> If ICC can interfear in Indian crickets internal affairs(Rajesh Chouhan, Bajju) then why not against Pak? Why can't match ref submit report to ICC about poor umpiring? Why can't ICC take some kind of actions because it is good for game.with due respact, I do not bue that.- Dhirendra --------------- Krishna Kaliappan () I am really happy that Indians have done their homework very well today. If they have to win against Zimbabweans, they have to field well which automatically puts pressure and leads to their suicidal march fast. Zimbabweans fell into Indians think tank today. Prem: anandha:: cant, unfortunately. alone here nad i aint fiddling around with cgi scripts now. sorry, lets leave it lie for now. joshi continues, bowling to streak who shapes to sweep, then plays to cover and another sharp piece of fidling by robin, just the one.

susheel () Looks like Nikhil Chopra bowled well in the both games that he had played. It shows how stupid our Captain to say that we does not have a quality off Spinner to play in Bangladesh. If Nikhil Plays like this I think he is a better choice than Harbhajan, because of Nikhils batting and Bhajjus lack of batting and fielding. Comments Please ------------------ Rahul () Dhirendra...I dont mean it in that sense..what I mean is that they cannot improvise...!! All the other teams have batsmen good enough to improvise and break thru a tight spot....but Zimbabwe is a team which will always end up with this result if they are bowled this kinda stuff in the next 50 matches..!!! They still will not realize and improvise.!! Basically...Dave Houghton's gotta realize...there's a long way for zimbabwe to go to be compared 1-to-1 with India...!! ---------------- Anandha (Anandha@jagat.net) Prem, I know you are stretched. But the URL link to get to this commentary is on "Nov 7 - SriLanka Vs Zimbabwe" as well as the title on Red box above the score snapshot in this page. Can you fix it during drinks break ? Prem: sttreak, on strike to chopra, last ball, finds midwicket with the push, no run, standing ovation as chopra ends with 10-0-21-2, it really has been the spell that broke zimbabwe's back.

Prem: wishart goes back, turns it round, gets one more.

Prem: Wishart playing chopra's first ball off his pads, finds one to midwicket. ball two, chopra, bwoling his 10th, squares the batsman up, forces the defensive push. ball three, off his pads but again, striaght to mdiwicekt. ball four, chopra, flight and some turn, psuhed to mid on, single.

Shriram (shriram@andrew.cmu.edu) Satish, agree with you there. One-to-one india is probably the best team in the world. We just don't come thogether often as a good team. glad to see Zim. eat crow here. ---------------- Himanshu:Adding to what Prem what will also count is how Chopra bats and fields both under pressure. Bajju is below par on both those fronts. ----------- abhay () There goes ganguly.. Mr injury and Mr fitness in Indian team.. ------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () We should not bring the quickies now. Zimbabweans dont play spin very well. So, Joshi and Kumble can complete the riot here (Zimbabweans themselves will do). Prem: streak off his pads, finds jadeja at midwicket, no run. 92/6 in 30 after being 82/5 in 25.

Prem: Ball three, driven, finds the one to cover. runs really coming in a thin trickle now. 6 in the cirlce now, three outside and wishart has a go, sweeping, finds kumble at deep midwicket, again quick pick up and throw keeps it to one, this is the kind of fielding that makes the bowling look really really sharp and adds to pressure on the batsmaen.

Dhirendra () Rahul >> Thats true for almost any team. May be there are few players such as sachin can send a good ball for four but for rest of the players it is always difficult to score against wk-to-wk and good line-n-length ball. Zim is not the only one. See what happen to Srilanka yesterday.- Dhirendra ------------- Satish () Guys>> wonder what Dave Houghton has to say abt the relative strength of the 2 teams... after the test defeat, he had made the damning statement that "One-to-One he doesn't feel that India is a better team than Zim... they are just more experienced"...I knew he would be eating his words one day and the day has come soon enuff. Prem: Johsi continues, now flighting it well up, here, drwas the batsman into defence on line of middle. ball two, quicklyl sent through on a leg line, trying to get the stumping but gives the wide. ball two again, and streak defends.

Sundar G (bull@blr.sni.de) Looks like Grant Flower's dismissal today through Akthar's decision was not very clean either... I agree with Dhirendra that the ICC has to do something about umpires whom controversy seems to follow ------------------- deep () WC99 being in Endland should offer indians few advantages like in 1983... Robin , ganguly and SRT with their medium pace/swing bowling can act as regular bowlers...which gives more options for the selectors... ----------------------- sri (srini@ct2.nai.net) hi ----------------------- Shriram (shriram@andrew.cmu.edu) I think SRT and Ganguly will finish this match themselves. We should get Zim. out within the next 5-6 overs. Should do a world of good to our confidence. Krishna Kaliappan () Dhirendra, It's Pak cricket board which has to arrange for two good umpires from Pakistan. If they drop Javed Aktar, then it would be fine. ICC cannot interfere in Pak's internal matter. ------------------- Venkat () Hemant :: How can Sachin hit a century when the target itself is not likely to be that much!? Prem: good ball, suddenly bowling one outside off and curling it in a shade, streak on the back foot, defends. chopra, ball five, flight this time, he seems to be gaining in confidence, the defensive push again. ball six, chopra, played to midwicket, single.

Prem: Himanshu:: For say Australia, I would pick Bajju, they know to play bowlers like chopra who dont have much variation. against the windies i would play both. in tests, bajju ahead of chopra. sort of horses for courses thing, but both are very promising. run rate now 3.07, chopra continues and again, some very good fielding to the flick to midwicket, robin quickly across keeps it to one.

Himannshu (hdhamdhere@hotmail.com) I have a question for Prem, now that we have Chopra and Bajju who shall we chose for team or for final 11 ? Pl ans ---------------- Abhay () Perhaps it is time to bring the quickies, set a test like field and polish off the tail ---------- Rahul () An Interesting thing about Sri Lanka...all the teams in world cricket have sorted Jaya, and Kalu out...they are no more a terror...in fact they are more of a gimme wicket now ..for everybody else... --------------- Kasim () 80/6, So what now. Azhar is a stupid captain and its the Zimbabweans who are giving away the game and the reason being that Azhar is a sycophant. I hope the guy who referred Azhar as a sycophant is still there. Prem: agarkar this time with the diving stop at mid on, keeps a drive from wishart down to a single, they are throwing themselves around today alright, the indians are. joshi to streak, who lays back and cuts, and bang into the leg of the silly point fielder. ganguly, who looks like he got it in the shin pad. good ball, played back to the bowler, 86/6 zm.

Rahul () Prem...Zimbabwe is the sort of team that can do good if the bowling is kinda bad..or not as tight as it is right now...They can hit the ball provided they have some width...but the minute its tight..wkt to wkt...and fullish...they struggle..like they are now..!! They're really not that great as some comms make them out to be ..and they themselves make them out to be...one thing that they are good at is they have Eddo Brandes...and they put their heart into their fielding..other than that...their batting needs a huge improvement..!! ---------------- Hemant (hemant@mailexcite.com) Any chances for Sachin to hit a century here? Dhirendra () See how games turns. There was time when ZIM was 44/0 and most of Rediffer were blaming Azhar to put ZIM in. Suddenly Kumble,Chopra and Joshi chang the equations. I am sure sure no match is over until last ball is bowled and no decision can be critise untill last ball is bowled.- DHirendra -------- Krishna Kaliappan () Prem, not only Evans's dismissal is predictable, the whole Zimbabweans attitude is predictable. Our players have to be more careful, especially low scoring matches will be always tough. ------------ abhay () Prem>> look at it the other wayy.. Good bowling supported by tight fielding CAUSES batsmen to do stupid things. Finally, India has learned and applied their lessons Prem: Joshi continues, he too has the silly point in place. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankans, in the nets, practising hard for tomororws game against the indians. streak off his pads, gets the single through midwwicket.

Dhirendra () Why do not ICC take some action against ump such as Javed Akhtar? He screwed SA in ENG. Yesterday he gave few poor judgements. Is no body there to tell him what to do or ask him to go to 'Ump basic' again. Prem: chopra to wishart, comes down the track but again, finds it impossible to get under the line. defends. ball five, chopra, silly point still in place, he goes to off and plays to leg, jadeja there behind square, no run. last ball of the over, again played off his pads, single this time tothe left of jadeja, just the one in the over.

Prem: chopra bowling through, it looks like, and why not, he really is on a roll here. wishart on strike, defends, pushes to point, streak was three quarters down the pitch when there was yes no maybe stuff happening, just manages to make his ground here. next ball, flicked to midwicket, finds the fielder, no run.

Rahul () Joshi gets another one..!!! oh yeah..!! -------------- Satish () Prem, also a good knock by Azza and a good team effort in the last game seems to have done a world of good to this team.... it's been a long time since we have dominated a game like this...Azza is attacking, the fielders are charged up, we look like a "team", not "sachin Tendulkar and 10 others".... ----------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Thank you Zimbabweans. You people never let down our hopes except the recent test match (actually in that match only our Indians let us down). Please try your luck with Sri Lankans in this tournament. Prem: Heath Streak the nea man in, another heavy hitter, but he has to bat out 24 overs after this one. joshi, last ball, to streak, flighted on off and streak defends. 2-0-2-2 for joshi, dream figures for all spinners thus far.

Prem: Zimbabwe, frankly, have themselves to blame here -- from a good position after 10, they have gone and almost given the entire game away 15 overs later, mostly through some thoughtless batting against tight bowling and fielding. a reprise, really, of what lanka did yesterday against them.

Prem: Predictable, wasn't it? Evans sweeps, Joshi kept that one striaght on off and back goes the stumps. You can NOT sweep when the spinner is bowling flat and keeping it on a full length -- he must have learnt that now, I guess, after two near misses in the previous over against chopra.

abhay () Wolf >> you got it half right.. I'm cocky but not snobbish. ------------------- () wolf:::: dont crib - i'll help these guys are snobs - ya - its a game palyed between 2 teams - 11 each - 6 sticks and 2 bats and 1 ball, either u make runs or take wickets - thast it man so simple - happy ---------------- Dhirendra () Want to predict ZIM's total score after 50 or all out? My guess is 160-180 - Dhirendra ---------- saurav (abgoanda@vsnl.net.in) dc,rahul>> Very interestingand vald poins made by uguys! ------------------ Tendulkar (a@b,c) Satish >> Chopra always deserved to be in Indian team given his domestic performance. But for disqualification of Delhi last year he could not make it big ---------- Rahul () I hope India doesnt let the Zim tail have fun...they should finish it off quickly now..!! --------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () As I mentioned earlier, Joshi can make a difference, especially when Kumble cannot do much with left handers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dc () wolf> Cricket is a difficult game to explain in a few lines. Please look at www.criket.org I think it has pages that help understand the game. Please persist because once you get to know it - there no substitute. Prem: 71/3 in 20 to 82/5 in 25, and joshi continues, wishart has a swish, off the top edge to fine leg and a single.

Prem: ball five, there he goes again with the sweep and this time, gets it on the back leg, that was heading for thes stumps. and again, another sweep and miss, this is liable to be his undoing, chopra spearing them in this way doenst really invite sweeping.

Prem: ball three, faster and on off and evans pushhes tto silly point, the only close in guy just now. ball four, evans again down the track, unable to get to the pitch, pushes his pad at it.

Prem: Correction, new man in is Craig Wishart. And with the ball, it is still Nikhil Chopra -- Nikki, to his team mates. brings evans down the trcak, pushes it down onto his toes, the batsman's push finds cover, no run. ball two, evans goes across to off and sweeps to leg, risky shot but gets lot of wood on it, two for it.

Prem: Andy Whittall the new man in, defends and joshi ends his first over, a run and a wicket in it.

() abhay - who!!!!! singh sharma chawla.... india usa.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dhirendra () Rahul>> Thats what you and I think !! But who selects the team ?? Remember those SELECTORS- DHIRENDRA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- wolf () there you go i was expecting one cocky snob and guess what abhy you fill in the gaP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Wolf its a complex game, the best place to learn about it is www.cricinfo.org which runs a great site on the game Prem: satish:: sure. also, gives india lots of interesting options now, with bajju cleared. be good, that kind of competition -- playing the windies now, you got the choice of going in with two very good offies.

abhay () MOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGGIIIIAAAAA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () The problem with WC 99 is, English conditions suits only medium and swing bowlers. So, we cannot have more spinners. Only one spinner can accompany the team along with Kumble. Who's that one. Race is on between Bajju, Chopra and Joshi. Let us wait and see who wins. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Prem>> Hey, buddy. Good morning..... Funny how these good prospects in India get discovered by sheer providence.... Ganguly was selected in the team purely coz of regional bias and he sparkled in the England tour.... Chopra is selected coz of Bajju's "controversial" ouster and look how well he has been doing so far.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rahul () Interesting note...Im watching the game live on Jagged internets' broadcast...and live images seem to be a little delayed..Prem's commentary is about 3 balls ahead..!!! anybody else noticed that..?? Prem: andy flower on strike to joshi, and now why on earth would the last of the recognised batsmen do that? a paddle sweep of all things and nearly managed to get it into mongia's gloves. next ball, joshi pushing one through quick, andy flower cuts, that one bounced, ball in the air and jadeja diving forward, holds at point. indians razor sharp in the field today, and the difference shows.

Prem: ball three, evans sweeps, finds a single behind square.

Prem: Kumble off, Joshi on and the first one is on line of middle, evans defends. ball two, on middle again, evans tries to flick against the line, misses.

abhay () Wolf >> you are in the wrong place.. If you want to learn, have an intimate 1 on 1 with someone who knows the game or go to www.cricinfo.org to learn the fundamentals.. This area is for Pros Prem: that was a pretty hairy over for evans, zimbabwe now going at 3.43. a crowd now building up, stands filling up, albeit slowly.

Krishna Kaliappan () As Kumble is not good against left handers, maybe change is necessary to put pressure on Andy flower. If we get Andy also now, the match is won now itself. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rahul () Abhay...take it easy man...Kumble is one of our strike bowlers..cant throw him out just like that..!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ashish () chopra has shown capability of bowling a tedious line and length which is essential in odis and he has used his brain as he kept on reading batsmen intentions and accordingly varied his line, length and pace which rewarded him with a good wicket. Prem: chopra again, to evans, on leg stump this time, he tickles it down to fine leg and they race three to end the over.

Prem: chopra now has a confident look about him, loping in easily and letting them rip, has evans defending to ball one, ball two has evans down the track and chopra promptly drags it down, forces the defense again. ball three, chopra, with slip in place now, and mongia drops one -- evans went back, tgried to cut, the ball was inches outside off, no room for th shot, ball of the edge into mongia's glove and out. next ball, he tries to flick, edge, ball in the air and drops short of azhar at slip. ball five, this time he turns it in, evans drives, chopra dives and stops.

Rahul () dc..u r right...and some of the match referees are extremely biased, and racist..remember that Ganguly incident, on SA's tour to India, but not one SA player was fined for all their foul play and sledging..!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- deep () chopra has really proved himself as a bowler in absence of Bajju...now need to know how well he bats..we need some good all rounders by the time the world cup is round the corner... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolf (Wolf@) Hi guys can someone tell me about this game coz ive seen it but dont understan Prem: Oops, there almost went the next one, andy flower getting a bit cute on that one, leaning forward and trying to feather a leg glance, the flipper takes the outer edge but falls wide of the keeper, no damage, and now a forward short leg brought into place. very, very good work by captain and fielders here.

Prem: nice cover drive this time by andy flower, beats the fielder there, bit of a chase and two to the batsman, kumble that time slanting the ball too much across the left hander.

abhay () Go chopra Go! 8 runs and 2 wickets in 4.4 overs...Congrats India now we have another spinner.. Time to kick Kumble out of the team for WC99? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dhirendra () DC >> In Sarjaha, E Isaccs is match ref so No Prob For Chopara. But wait till others( PAK, SL and SA - I do not remember the names who believe that Bajju THROWS) see him- Dhirendra Prem: Nice to see 6 still in the circle, seven counting the keeper and 8 counting the bowler, that helps dry up the singles, a ploy zimbabwe usded against sri lanka yesterday and now they are at the receiving end.

Prem: Lots of problems for zimbabwe, goodwin looked the better of the two batsmen out there but his going means pressure on andy flower now to keep some kind of momentum going. kumble to evans, pushed through point, single.

Krishna Kaliappan () See, better fielding put more pressure to the batsmen. Result is Goodwin's out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- satya () Krishna:-) Yep, Chopra's young career is going to end soon.Titmus, here he comes... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dc (dc@) Rahul> These are the facts. Spinners accused of chucking recently: Saqlain Mustaq, Dharmasena, Chohan, Harbajan, Mula..(sorry can't spell his namke but you know who i mean). See any pattern? if (skin == brown) { goto chucking_charges }. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rajesh (jeshra@hotmail.com) Yes N.Chopra, next on the hit list -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rahul () Well done Chopra... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () As Goodwin and rest of the Zimbabweans are weak against leg break bowlers, Tendu can come and bowl his leg breaks. Joshi's flight also will be useful today. Prem: the most interesting -- should that be amusing -- thing is that chopra actually at times makes the ball deviate fractionally in the air, in a faster bowler you would call it swing. craig evenas the new man in, runs one down to get a single to third man, chopra at the end of the over, 5-0-9-2 and that is incredible figures.

Prem: that wicket was pure pressure-created. goodwin loves to use his feet, chopra kept pushing them through flatter and faster, three dot balls forced the batsman to try something different and there he went. good bowling by this lad, not one for flight and loop and turn and all that kind of stuff but very very hard to get away.

Prem: chopra continues, spears this one in very fast on off and goodwin defends. 8 in his first four, ball two has goodwin hurrying down the trcak, trying to on drive, chopra drags the ball down, cramps the batsman, good thinking. ball three, goodwin stays back, chopra pitches full length, the push finds midwicket, no run. ball four, and that is the wicket, goodwin pressurised by this tight line, came down the track, flicked, ddint get to the pitch which is a problem with chopra's flat line, the flick in the air and an easy catch to robin at midwicket.

Krishna Kaliappan () Prem, by bowling well in the last two matches, Chopra drew attetnion from the match referees to include his name in the chucker's list. Hope our board will be searching for one more off-spinner or bring back Bajju. Prem: and more of the same -- andy flower thumps towards midwicket and robin dives and stops, no run. that one was travelling, the indians now looking sharp in the field and drying the runs up. 72/3 in 20, going from 55/3 in 15.

Prem: kumble to andy flower, on leg stump, played square, tendulkar came racing in and got to the ball quick, no run. again, good outcricket by the indians there.

Prem: that was a fluent shot, goodwin down the track to the pitch, reda that well and drove wide of mid on, ran with the shot and got the one.

Rahul () dc>>good point...everytime a spinner fromthe subcontinent does well...somebody accuses him of chucking..!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Yes, Pak team is really under a major crisis. No one is sure of their place. Maybe Arjuna Ranatunga should become the chairman of pakistan selectors (not as coach) to solve the problem. Prem: Jumbo Kumble, this one the top spinner on off played to point, jadeja in quickly, no run. good to see the indians after those initial fumbles now sharpening their fielding. ball three, short, he rocks into a pull, reckon it went off the hip, akthar signals leg byes, single.

Prem: Consolidation phase here for Zimbabwe after three went down in quick order, into the 20th over and kumble to continue.on off, yorker length, andy flower has a huge hit at it, only manages to get bottom of bat and back to kumble.

dc (dc@postimpressions.com) Prem> Considering Chopra's done quite well in the last few games, I wonder how long it will be before some one accuses him of chucking :) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sher khan () Agni: Need to go :( Talk to you soon! Prem: another ball on that off line. last ball, andy flower forward, flicks, gets one to midwicket, just that one run in the over which is very good going indeed.

saurav (abgoanda@vsnl.net.in) I dont believe Prem Panicker has FOR ONCE written something positive about Azhar. ( A few lines down "2 closein fielders... screws on."). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rahul () Kumble gets unsettled by a left-right batting combo..!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () We have two good off spinners now and what we lack is one genuine left arm spinner. Joshi is not upto what Maninder used to do in his early days. Prem: chopra continues. nice breadth to his shoulders this boy, more of a quick bowler's build and he does push them through at a fair clip. flower in fidgety mould and chopra keeps that very tight line on off, not giving him any room for strokes. ball four, on off, slight turn, pushed to mid off, no run.

Prem: good thinking there from kumble, lets one turn from off to outsdide, bounce as well, goodwin lets it go, that kind ofthing once ina whhile means the batsman wont play for the predictable flipper.

Dhirendra () Abhay >> Pak is going through a bad crisis. Saeed Anwar, Inzy and Wakar all are not fit. Then selectors( Jokers ??) put Akib Javed out of the team. And on top of it they sack a player and recall him in the very next match. This will not help them. Also they made Amir Sohil the captain against wish of rest of the team members. -Dhirendra -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sher khan () Agni: OK ... how was the summer? How's your driving these days ;) ? Prem: kumble now to goodwin, ball 5 of the 18th, lovely flick off the pads through midwciket, gets two to the batsman.

Prem: kumble this time on leg stump, flower off his pads, gets the single square on the on.

Prem: For andy flowers, slip and short square maintained but kumble goes wide of off, andy cuts, uses the width, gets it wide of third man and a pressure-relieving boundary there.

Prasad (vvsp@hotmailcom) I hope Zim scores some runs , so that there can be a contest on hand.Considering that Sachin has not scored the last 2 matches, he is definitely going to score today atleast a fast 40-50 runs.So..to make him really play a big innings the total also has to be big. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Hey azhar is attacking today! No loosening up the field, just 2 outside the circle Prem: kumble to continue, bowling to goodwin, a siully point the only man close, goodwin shuts the bat face, goes for the quick single to the left of jadeja at midiwkcet.

Prem: chopra to goodwin, fluent push off the pads, one more, 3 in the over and a good one that for india from chopra.

abhay () prem>> was the start delayed? 15 overs in 1:45 hrs is very slow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Looks like Azhar is doing a good job in the field by setting an attacking fielding. Prem: chopra tight on line, absolutely no flight, bowls very much off the front foot, spears it in flat and fast on off, and no room to get under it. flower forced into defensive pushes looks a shade restless here, came down the track that 4th ball, then had to check the shot. ball five, off driven, single.

Agni () Hey hey Sherkhan.. a reunion of sorts on rediff!!! Yes.. this is me! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agni () Hey hey Sherkhan! Howz life? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kasim () bk, I agree with that concern of yours. It would have well been good to play a batsman for Sunil Joshi. 'cause I think he did bowled only 5 overs in the last game if I recollect correctly. But then u know that may not be Azhar's decision. Did u notice Srinath coming in early in the last match to bat. I think that was management decision. So u can see how much intervention there is from management. Prem: fluent on drive, ball one, single to goodwin, 59/3 zim brings andy flower on strike.

Prem: chopra to continue for the 17th over of the innings, goodwin the man on strike, and now the close field gone, fielders spread, predominantly off and six in the circle stopping the singles.

Prem: andy flower playing off his pads there, finds short square, there is also a slip in place, into the 16th over here. on off and defends, no run.

abhay () Looks like Aussies are going to win again.. What's the deal with Pakis? 5/59 in 20 overs?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kunal Goklany (kgoklany@ft1999.rsm.nl) I think India should take a breather in the middle of the field and think about the strong positions that they have been earlier and maintain the pressure. My two cents worth. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () As Goodwin is fluent in his footwork, Joshi can fool him in his flight. Maybe after 20th over, Azhar should bring Joshi to take care of Goodwin. Otherwise Goodwin will settle down to play one more fluent innings. Prem: that was outside off and goodwin plays with the open bat face, wide of the fielder at backward point, two more. this guy bats very fluidly against the spinners. next ball, the cover drive, gets goodwin one more.

Prem: post drinks and kumble continues, bowling to goodwin, slip and sillly piontstill in place which is very good work from the captain, keeping the screws on.

Rahul Pahuja (rpahuja@students.wisc.edu) India has to make sure they maintain the pressure.. Prem: Nice drive again, but this one finds the fielder at mid off, no run. at drinks, zim 55/3 in 15, after being 43/0 in 10. taking a breather here.

zz (zz@hotmail.com) Main kuch nahin kahta bacco, dekhte jao AZHAR ka Karishma...... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bk:: () Agni:: if you are talking about the commentator on CRICINFO - dont worry he's some kind of anti-india commentator - he was criticizing even tendulkar's 141 the other day - calling all his shots a fluke..... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- abhay () prem> good morning from US ... The title of commentary area says SL vs Zim... The link says SL vs Zim and you appear to be cranky because of the multiple things you have to do...OK! all my sympathies with you FOR DOING YOUR JOB. GREAT JOB.. looks like Zim is about to collapse and Peter's prediction of Zim beating Ind is in trouble -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sher khan (nagaraj@iastate.edu) Agni: is this Vik? Prem: goodwin fluent on the footwork, down the track, drives, wide of mid off and single.

Prem: premeditated paddle there, andy flower, took it from off, got the single square on the on, safe enough as the ball is not turning, so less chance of the top edge. goodwin now on strike, be interesting to see how he tackles this line -- a step down the track, but the flat line forces the defensive push.

Prem: premeditated paddle there, andy flower, took it from off, got the single square on the on, safe enough as the ball is not turning, so less chance of the top edge. goodwin now on strike, be interesting to see how he tackles this line -- a step down the track, but the flat line forces the defensive push.

PC () Man if the ump raises his finger its out! whatever com think, feel, see or eat! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () So, it's again a familiar story from Zimbabwe team. Starts well and loses in the middle. Hope our spinners control the game between 15 to 40. Prem: 3.78 the run rate now and chopra to bowl to andy flower, who steps back and square drives, finds the fielder at point. ball two, chopra, again the straight one on off, flower forces off the back foot, finds mid off, no run.

Prem: good cricket there, goodwin pushing and moving forward with the shot, nice stop at silly pint and flicking the ball back onto thes tumps, the batsman just makes his ground. ball six, though, goodwin on his knee, sweeps from line of off, in the air but safe, as there is no one out there at deep midwicket, two more.

Agni () Venkat... absolutely..i'd go with Prem anyday! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zz (zz@hotmail.com) Azhar ka karishma dekhte jao baccho......... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bk;; () kasim:: i am not worried about batting first or second- nor was i worried about not getting a wicket in the first 10 overs - what disturbs me is having 8 bolwers in a team - 6 specialist - and two whome you can bank on - even the five specialists cant bowl their quota - and making batting your weakness dosent sound encouraging. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Hey this is bad news for the Zimbabweans.. they do not really bat that deep -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agni () Sorry if that sounded kind of harsh Prem, but they showed the replays just now and so i didnt know if the commentator was being extra sarcastic when he said, 'decisions like these change the game'. Prem: *sigh* look, guys, like I said, I can only call it the way I see it. A flipper pitches off and middle, batsman is on his knee, he is hit below the roll of front pad, now if there is anything in there for doubt, fine, you got it. kumble continues, goodwin on strike, again the flipperr, thus far no attempt to bowl the leg break, just pushing the flippers through quick and fast, kumble, slip and silly point in place, goodwin to ball two onto the front foot, drives nicely through cover, gets two.

Venkat () Agni :: Read carefully - Prem sames "plumb in front" - did not commit in front of what ! Any way as a rediffer let's repose faith in Prem. ok? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter Cawood (brickdes@harare.iafrica.com) Was that LBW out as the commentator has his doubts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rahul Pahuja (rpahuja@students.wisc.edu) Hello Prem: Two new batsmen at the crease now and time for India to turn on the pressure. Andy Flower the left hander the new man in, ball one outside off, going through straight. chopra doesnt try to turn it too much, keeps it very flat, bowls close to the wicket, again the ball on off, straight line, and flower defends.

Prem: zimbabwe making a bit of a meal of their first 15 overs here, after getting through the first 10 very well, they have really messed up now with some thoughtless cricket -- that ball started middle, stayed straight, was heading to middle, johnson choose of all strokes to cut, and paid for it.

Prem: agni:: look, i can only say what i see, friend, cant answer for whatever commentators you are listening to. Chopra introduced at the other end, good idea again, to the leftie and there he goes. straight ball, johnson lays back to cut, there was no turn there, ball just went through straight and crashed into the stumps.

Agni () Prem, the comms say there is no way it can be out..you say its plumb in front..so what IS it? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Agarkar justifies his position by his good throws also (As you know, Prasad has some difficulties in throwing fromt the deep). Prem: That brings murray goodwin to the crease. batted very well against spin yesterday, so this could be interesting, but zimbabwe with two quick wickets in a bit of a bother.

Prem: Bad shot selection there, kumble's forte is the flippers and top spinners that he sends down. straightening them on or around off, so going across the line that way was not exacctly the shot to play.

zz (zz@hotmail.com) Captancy bacchaon ka khel nahin. we can't predict the outcome of the match so early. U can't say it is a stupid decision, it seems very ridiculous that people who are watching it on TV cannot predict the behaviour of the pitch. every team has a game plan. I don't think this decision is only of AZZA but also of other people in the team. so guys relax a little bit and see how the match progresses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Shucks, Kumbles to two south paws is not a very good idea -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Hey man Sri is a stock bowler! no way, he is far too good for that.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () It's time to bring Kumble as Johnson had tough time against him during the test match. Also, Srinath needs rest. A double change (Chopra at the other end) is a must now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kasim () bk. You see what Agarkar did. That shows the attitude and opting to bat first or second does not reflect the attitude. Prem: ball five, and there goes the wicket -- yesterday, flower played very well, in line with everything, today he has been playing across the line time and again, lucky to get away earlier, here the kumble flipper has him across to off, paddling, misses as the ball hastens off the track, rapped on the pad and plumb in front.

Prem: ball four, kumble, flower down the track but the flipper hastening into him, the batsman changes his mind and pushes, no run.

Prem: kumble to flowr, played to square leg this time from line of middle, no run.

Prem: Kumble -- Jumbo to his team mates because of the jumbo bounce he gets -- in, with a slip and silly point, on off, the top spinner and grant flower defends.

Prem: Ball one of the 12th, on middle and leg and wafted around off the hips by the southpaw, finds the single behind square.

Prem: A spinner IS in, good thinking, though it is Kumble bowling to the left handed Neil Johnson.

PC () A direct throw from fine leg! wow wow wow, thats something -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () Joining in late - Prem read your apologitic note at the top. Understand your pressure. Happy to get a wicket in my first over. Hope the Flowers ill not bloom too much ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ashish kamani (ashishkamani@hotmail.com) Many of us cricket must be thinking that azzu has achieved the record later than desmond haynes but we forget that desmond was a opener and azzu is a middle order batsmen his achievement must be praised. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ateeq (ishq@hotmail.com) Azhar is the man around for the job. Who else at this point? Prem: with a pinch hitter, would be a good move now to bring on one of the spinners -- preferablyl chopra who bowls very flat and fast, makes it hard for the man determined to hit, thus helping to force the mistake.

Prem: sri, last ball of the 11th, to flower, good shot this, off his toes, punching through cover and gets him two.

Agni () Hey thats out! yes.. Agarkars throw..runout! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- prasad () sri is more a stock bowler than strike bowler. to get wickets azza has to bring his strike bowlers. as i write a miracle has happened. indians hit the stumps!!!. Prem: flower still on strike, johnson the new man in and sri thuds the ball into the batsman's pads again, flower again trying to play across the line and beaten for pace. ball five, short on off and rising, flower defends.

Prem: that was very good thinking on the part of agarkar -- since the ball was at fine leg, campbell presumed that the throw would go to the keeper, and was just ambling along, agarkar shaped to throw to the keeper, spotted campbell less than halfway down the track, changed, and went for the other end. good cricket.

bk:: () Regarding Azhar being a captain - every Indian cricket fans agrees with Mohainder Amarnath - when he said "these selectors are a bunch of jokers" - i think it'll make you think Prem: uh oh, flower a long way down the track, tries to lift to leg, bad shot to try, misses, hit on the pad, ball richochets down to fine leg, they run one, then go for the second, campbell ambling because he thinks the danger is at the other end, agarkar throws at the non striker's end and hits direct and campbell is gone by a mile.

Prem: srinath being continued here, bowling to flower, into his 6th over, pitches this short on off and brings it in off the seam, flower defends. i guess the short length was a response to flower dancing down the track last over. ball two, again short, cutting in, forces flower to push to mid on, no run.

Prem: another slower ball. and again, campbell's push finds the fielder, this time at point, no run, zimbawe going on from 26/0 in 5 to 43/0 in 10.

Prem: slower ball again -- agarkar using a lot of those in the last two overs -- and this time, campbell spots the change in time nad pushes to short cover, no run

Dhirendra () rikin >> try this http://www.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1998-99/OD_TOURNEYS/CHT/JAGGED.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- prasad (rk_prasad@usa.net) it's better to give sri some rest and bring the spinners on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bk::: () Hi Kasim: Buddy - its nothing personnel - the game is not just about winning or loosing but about the habbit of playing good and keep on winning - you do loose sometimes but thats if the other team plays better than you - loosing just because you didnt feel like playing good is no excueses - remember Prem has been cribbing about the same - its just not the Indian victory which matter - what matters most is the attitude and learning from mistakes - about learning it seems the team has closed it eyes and ears. Prem: agarkar to campbell, leg slip and short cover the close catachers, short outside off, campbell cuts, but finds robin at point, good fielding there.

Prem: agarkar again, bowling to flower, slower ball outside off, flower opens the bat face, runs it down to third man, another single to flower.

Prem: flower making room to leg -- he uses a middle stump guard, then shifts his back leg to the leg stump when he wants to make room -- and thumping it square on the off, but finds jadeja at point, no run there.

Dhirendra (Dhirendra@hotmail.com) Morning Folks !! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mohit (s.datta@worldnet.att.net) PREM:I think India is having too many bit and pieces cricketers in Robin Singh, Joshi, and Chopra. I doubt these cricketers would be of any value in England! What do you say? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () We cannot say at this point, it's 3 in a row for Zimbabwe. They are known for their middle order or late order collapse. Even they have successfully failed when they were bowling also. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kasim () Yes Chopra could be tried after 10 overs . He bowled pretty well in the last game. Prem: agarkar continues, bowling to campbell and again, the slower ball has campbell misreading the pace, rapped on the pad, huge appeal but that was a needless one, ball outside the line and a leg bye results.

rikin (rikit@bom3.vsnl.net.in) i wann see the coco cola cup live what is the site name -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zz (zz@hotmail.com) The game has just started and its very ridiculous that people are now in a state to say the outcome of the match. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- prasad () it's too early to count the chicks peter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mohit (s.datta@worldnet.att.net) KASIM:the only reason Azzu is captain because he is a sycophant! Prem: last ball, lifts one up into the batsman from line of off, flower defends, that ends the 9th over.

Prem: srinath now over the wicket, bwoling to flowr who is down the creae, predetermined move that, gives himself room moving to leg and slashes, inside out, over cover, four more.

Prem: srinath to campbell, drifting this time fractionally to middle, campbell quickly onto the back foot, shuts his bat face on the push, gets it past midwicket and gets the single.

Prem: again that line -- wide of the crease with the acute angle in to off, cramping the left hander for room on the drive, forces him to push to azhar at midwicket. ball three, 9th over, action replay there, this time sri picks up on the follow through, running around to the other side of the wicket. nice length and line here from sri.

Prem: srinath to contnue, round the wickt to campbell and with one slip in place. wide of the crease, sri, angling it in to the batsman, who pushes in defense, no run.

Prem: Peter, yeah, I agree, Zim doing well just now. Meanwhile, the two go for the short single, robin's throw is a direct hit but the batsman's safe, running his bat through and making his ground ahead of the hit, no problems there.

Krishna Kaliappan () It's better to bring Kumble or Chopra now instead of Agarkar. AC has the tendency to go over the top and Chopra can get him out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter Cawood (brickdes@harare.iafrica.com) Prem:Thanks for the note.Good start for ZIM. Maybe another win against India. 3 IN A ROW -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kasim () bk, I think u cannot say that his decision is stupid at least at this moment. Maybe only if he loses than u could ( In that case I would first see the match proceedings and then comment on that) because if India wins then thats it, What finally matters is the result. And then if there are to be only two options for a particular thing and one choses the wrong one would u say it to be stupid. I mean you are then not giving any room for him to make a mistake. Also if he is stupid and still there as a captain then the only reason that he could be there is that all other are more stupid so there is no choice, right? Prem: good slower ball, foxes the batsman who fails to spot the change of pace, forward and hit on the pad but the ball missing off, no damage. ball five, agakrar, short and pulled away, not getting hold of it right, long chase for sachin from midwicekt, they get two for it.

Prem: Agarkar to campbell, middle stump line this time angling to off, squares the batsman up and defending. no run.

bk () is there anyone whome we can question about all these stupid decisions made - by the team management or whoever makes them - after all its we the fans of Indian Cricket who actually pay for the game - if there are no fans who is gonna sponsor. Dont we have the right to question???????????? Prem: 4.46 the run rate now, not electric but a fluent start and all wickets standing, flower to the second ball opens the bat face, runs it down to third man, single.

Prem: agarkar continues, outside off and campbell fluently driving, finds one more to wide mid off.

Prem: sri, last ball of the 7th, just outside off, the punch is in the air but short of azhar in gully, stopped very well there diving to his left, no run.

PC () pappal bhai, dheeraj rakho, its just started! :) Prem: srinath back to over the wicket, bwoling to grant flower, full length on off and straightening it this time, flower squared up and defending.

Prem: srinath, round the wicket to campbell, middle and leg and turned off his pads, finds the single to square leg. 31/0.

Prem: srinath, on off and driven to mid off, finds the fielder but they are running with the shot, so that single was on.

prasad (rk_prasad@usa.net) why is choosing to chase? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pappal (gobi@bom5.vsnl.net.in) i think india will lose this match Prem: srinath again, again the good line, closer to off and still seaming in, flower defends.

Prem: srinath to flower, outside off seaming in and flower lets it go, that one was fast, seaming and climbing.

Prem: agarkar again to campbell, agai down leg, lucky not to be called -- not too sure why this strategy of trying to get campbell caught in leg slip is being adopted, the batsman is very fluent off his pads and there is the further disadvantage that to get him in that trap you have to bowl leg stump line and any fractional drift will give away the wide.

Prem: flower on strike to agarkar, on middle and leg, pushed to mid on, single.

Prem: agarkar again, to flower, this one on leg, played down to square leg, no run.

Prem: Flower on strike to agarkar, down the track this time, slashes a drive, gets the thick edge, ball flaring down to thirrd man, good stop by jadeja, but two more to the batsman meanwhile.

Krishna Kaliappan () Yes BK, It's really hard to digest a player who has played maximum ODIs (Obivously he should have scored maximum runs) repeats the mistakes quite often. Prem: 26/0 in 5, Zimbabwe, and going along quite nicely thus far. The difference between these two teams is in the fielding -- theZimbabweans make their bowling look better than it is with some wonderful backup. The Indians make their bowlers look worse than it is, with fumbles. Agarkar to flowr, bang on middle and off, straightening the ball onto the right hander, raps him on the pad, huge appeal, very close one that, akthhar not interested.

Prem: Outside off, campbell stepping to leg and really tthrashing that one over point, robin jumps high but only gets his fingertips to it, four more.

PC () The whole hassle of thgis three spinner routine is that if you get a pacre thrammed in the first 15, it leaves you with no option but to get Kumble or Chopra on early Prem: Zimbabwe thus far off to a fluent start, and india helping them with some bad fielding, two misfields have thus far given away 4 runs. campbell this time pushes on the on, finds the bowler on the follow through/

Prem: srinath to flower, outside off and slashed over point, one more to joshi, this time patrolling the line there.

Prem: Short and lifting, campbell inner edges and at backward square, as the ball travels off the inner edge, johshi fumbles and gives away one more.

Kasim () Prem, First of all intention is not to argue with u for I know u have better things to do than to care about my opinion and it is just my opinion about your comments based on not only this one but so many in the past. where as yours opinion about me is whimsical. BTW, I thought being a critic may not necessary mean that one is biased. Anyway. Prem: srinath again, to campbellslip now in place as sri goes around the wicket and yet again, wide of the crease, angling sharply in on off, campbell rushed on the defensive push/

Krishna Kaliappan () BK, Just see the players names in the bottom of Cricinfo after bowler's analysis. There Dravid name is not there and Joshi's name is there. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- devraj blani (devrajbal@hotmail.com) it is a fantastic idea Prem: agarkar to flower, two slips for the right hander, played off the line of off to short cover, no run. 8 in that over, zim 220/0 in 4.

Prem: on off and just in the slot for the flowing cover drive, nice timing, kumble has a lot of running to do and two more to flower, this time.

Prem: With the fast bowler bowling over the wicket angling across the left hander, not sure what the idea is of not keeping a slip in place, but then.... agarkar, and on middle, campbell plays it off his pads, finds the single square on the on.

bk::: () Kasim: I have been an Azhar fan since his days of entry into test cricket and still am a fan of his flambouyant batting. I agree and lots of cricket analysts and fans will agree with Prem that Azhar is not just only an incapable captain but a stupid one - do you expect such lousy mistakes to be made by someone who has the distinction of having the highest runs in ODIs and who has played the most number of ODIs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Yeah krishna, not too many lefties who like playoing close to the body -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pushon (s.datta@worldnet.att.net) Prem:Every time India loses a match Azhar has the patent excuse "we batted, fielded and bowled badly." My question is what else one has to do to lose a match? Is he nuts or what! Prem: On off, campbell drives, finds mid off, that shot was hard hit so no chance of the run. agarkar again, with leg slip and short cover, and there is the edge, through to third man, for the four.

Prem: agarkar unlike srinath rarely goes round the wicket to the southpaws -- he could practise that in the nets, really, add another angle, another variation to his armoury -- most southpaws are good against the slanting line, which is why Sri keeps going round. interesting field, leg slip but no slip, and there he goes, down the leg side and wide. looks like agarkar is hoping to get him caught on the flick, but the problem is that anything outside leg would be wided.

Prem: sri, last ball of the 3rd, to grant flower, good line again, from wide of the crease into the off stump, the defensive push finds point, no run.

Prem: sri again, to flowr, ball five, this time closer to the stumps and on off and middle, climbing into the batsman, played to mid on, no run.

Prem: wide of the crease this time, srinath, angling it into off on a very full length forcing flower to push defensively.

butterfly (devil@mailexcite.com) prem>who is playing today? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Both of them (GF & AC) love to play square of the wicket. So, Srinath and Agarkar should not feed them bowling short. It's better let them bowl three quarters, that too round the wicket. Prem: Srinath to Flower, over the wicket now, outside off and climbing high off the seam, and the fastest from sri thus far, ball was past flower before he got his bat down.

Prem: bk:: Cricinfo may have included Dravid, friend, but the team management has not. :-) A no ball, and on middle, played off the pads, single toCampbell so two runs for that.

PC () Sheesh, whats got into Agarkar! He seems to have picked up this short pitching. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bk () Prem - sorry about asking a question - but Cricinfo says Dravid is in - is it right - if they go in witha batsmen less - India will have a lesson to learn from the rookies of cricket - courtsey: Azhar & co.(team management) Prem: ball two, sri to campbell and again that same line, again hurrying the batsman, good thinking going round the wicekt to the leftie.

Prem: Srinath to continute, campbell on strike with that single in the agarkar over, batting 8/5 now, flower 2/7, two slips still in place and today, not too much of a crowd in yet. lovely ball that, from wide of the crease, around the wicket, seaming in rapidly and campbell tucked up, hurries the defensive push.

Prem: Kasim:: read yesterday's match report, I suggested India should bat first -- that was 14 hours before Azhar took his decision. So am I biased against Azhar, or are you biased against anything I say, friend? AGarkar to campbell, single off the pads and at the end of two, Zimbawe 10/0

Prem: They need to keep down the gimme balls, here, keep things tight -- campbell in particular is aggressive by nature, needs no second invitation to blaze away and a target above 260 will be hell to chase in these conditions.

Prem: better ball this, on off and a full length, forcing the defensive push.

Kasim (ssskasim@yahoo.com) Well, Agni its the other way actually. I think Prem is a strong Azhar-critic and he always dislikes Azhar decisions. Prem: agarkar to campbell, outside off and too much width, the batsman smashes that through the covers, four all the way, that is a bad line this early.

Prem: For those who came in late, neither side has made any changes in personnell. India and Zimbabwe going in with the same lineups that defeated Sri Lanka -- in other words, India with five regular bowlers at the expense of the extra batsman. Meanwhile, Agarkar now to Campbell, good ball first up, slanted across and pitching off, coming in fractionally, forcing the defenisve push.

Agni () By the way... I would like to know the teams.. prem? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan () Yesterday I couldn't see the match as I was away. But I read your report today. I think Zimbabweans are beginning to understand their potential (Courtesy India, giving them a morale victory in the test). Prem: srinath to flower, on off and played defensively. end of the first over, 5 in it though that first three to campbell was really unnecessary.

Prem: srinath again, to flower. this one on leg and played off the pads, long chase for robin from square leg, two for that to the batsman.

Prem: good ball -- three quarter length on off, seaming in, played defensively off line of off by flower coming forward, no run.

Prem: 22 slips in place, three on the off other than those -- point, cover, mid off. sri to grant flower, on off, this one held back a bit and flower defends.

Prem: Srinath again, to Flower, butt a bit of readjustment required on the sightscreen, so lull in play as Dunne walks over to supervise proceedings there.

Agni (agni@technologist.com) Hi Prem.. I think Azhar decided that he would always do the opposite to what you say! I don't remember even once, in recent times, when he did what you suggested! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- deep (deep@rocketmail.com) Let's hope india takes Zmb seriously and that they have done seriuos thinking about Zmb players before going into this match -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sriram (hsriram@yahoo.com) Good afternoon everybody. I think India should go without Joshi today. Prem: Can you make this view window as wrap=physical. It is painful to press enter key every now and then Prem: That brings Grant Flower on strike to Srinath, over the wicket, wide of the crease angling in, two slips in place, flower defends on line of off.

Prem: Here comes Srianth, bwoling to Alistair Campbell, outside off, slashed off the back foot, a misfield at point, there was no run there but they end up getting 3. Not quite the sort of start you want, jadeja the culprit there.

Prem: Anyway, the bottomline is that we should, any moment now, be seeing Zimbabwe openers coming out to bat. The Indians are already out there, limbering up.

Prem: The umpires are Steve Dunne of New Zealand and Javed Akthar of Pakistan.

Prem: Which does bring up the problems of batting second on a slowing track -- I would have preferred to see India bat first, frankly. Meanwhile, as far as the team is concerned, no change -- in fact, Zimbabwe have also retained the side that won against Sri Lanka yesterday.

Prem: Hello all and welcome on Sunday -- word from Sharjah being that Azhar has won the toss and elected to insert Zimbabwe.

Krishna Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) Prem, Good afternoon. Thank you for your post. Yes, I agree with you completely that it would be difficult for you to do so many things and we would like you to concentrate more on your commentary. Prem: GOOD AFTERNOON ALL, IT IS 3.30 IST, THE INDIA VERSUS ZIMBABWE GAME

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