From: prasad@cpdw.enet.dec.com (R Bharani Prasad)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: Re: Test 11 to SA and ODI 11 too (was Re: Indian Team Selected)
Date: 5 Oct 92 16:32:17 GMT
Article-I.D.: engage.1992Oct5.160038.29260
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


In article <BvIpyq.Lrr@rice.edu>, pvr@argo.rice.edu (PVR Narasimha Rao) writes...
> 
>In article <BvI5LM.5rE@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>, bharat@cs.uiuc.edu (R. Bharat Rao) writes:
> 
[stuff deleted]

> 
>There seems to be a feeling that it will be better to put Azhar at #3. I am
>not really sure if it is justified.
> 
>Whether the success of Azhar in the latter phase (WC) is due to the #3 posiiton
>alone or not is debatable. Mind you, he came back to form in the second innings
>of the 4th test at Adeliade itself (with 108). He failed in the next few matches,
>but he did well throughout since then. So, the question is: did Azhar come back
>to form at Adeliade and retained it till the end of the world cup? Would he have
>done well in the world cup even if he had batted at #5 (since he was in form)?
>These are tough to answer.
> 
>In any case, Manjrekar is a much better first down batsman for tests and I do
>not see why Azhar should bat at #3 and Manjrekar at #5 in tests just because of
>Azhar's success at #3 in WC. If you want to give Manjrekar one last chance,
>give it at #3 only, why chnage the position?
> 

Given the technician that he is, Sanjay should bat only at No.3. Azhar still
has some shortcomings in his batting and wud be best advised to bat at No.5.
Moving Sanjay from No.3 spot is doing injustice to him and could put and end
to his career. Be it 1-day or tests he's got to be played at that position.
His running between wickets is bound to improve as he gains more confidence.

> 
>Even in the matches in which Azhar did very well coming in at #3, no one could
>slog well in the world cup except Kapil. So, even though Azhar laid good
>foundations coming in at #3, lower middle order wasn't able to capitalize on it
>in many WC matches. Azhar being Azhar, I feel he can do as well by coming in
>at #5 or #6 (if he's in form). That may lower Azhar's personal scores, but, that
>will allow Manjrekar and/or Amre to build good innings. Unfortunately, we don't
>have a good person for #6. Amre is the best suited for #3 position, definitely
>not below #5.

I doubt if they wud play Amre for one-dayers. Can't hv all three (Ravi, Sanjay,
Pravin) between Nos 1 to 6. Ravi at No.6 is a better bet (he really can slog).

[stuff deleted]

>Even Raman can probably slog well, but opening with Shastri and Jadeja doesb't
      ^^^^^

 Can he? I hv my doubts.

[stuff deleted]

> 
>As far as the tests are concerned, one good thing is that Shastri and Raman are
>decent players of pace and even Jadeja has a good technique. While Raman is very
>elegant to watch (when in flow) and Shastri is dour, Jadeja is somewhere in
>between. Unfortunately, we don't have too many good openers right now in India.
>With the decision to drop Sidhu and Sri, these three were more or less the
>automatic choices.

 Opening slots could become a problem, since Raman & Jadeja hv little int'nl
experience. Being a short tour, this will be the ideal time for some
experiments.

> 
>BTW, talking about openers, does anyone know that SRT opened in one tour match
>in Eng (I think that was the only time SRT opened in his first class career)
>and scored 91 (or 90?)?

  Do U mean to suggest that he could be tried as an opener? 

/Bharani
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket