The Buzz
Bollinger, not Bollywood Brett
The sightseeing of a couple of Australian players at the Taj Mahal on Thursday turned them into superstars when local news outlets were told Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee would be there
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
The sightseeing of a couple of Australian players at the Taj Mahal on Thursday turned them into superstars when local news outlets were told Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee would be there. So when it was only Doug Bollinger and Jason Krejza, two of the squad’s back-up bowlers, who stepped out of the bus the locals could not be convinced that Bollinger was not Lee.
After an hour of viewing the Mughal masterpiece, “Lee” was asked to sign a picture that a photographer had printed off to get a lasting memento. Everyone seemed satisfied that Krejza wasn’t Ponting, but the duo received a special escort around the building, which upset some Italian tourists.
“They’re cricketers, and it’s India,” one of the team’s management offered in explanation. Bollinger and Krejza were the only Australia players here who hadn’t seen the monument until their rock star experience.
Full postBowlers look for reverse gear
Australia's players have been given some time off during their extended break between Tests but they still have plenty to work on ahead of Delhi
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
Australia's players have been given some time off during their extended break between Tests but they still have plenty to work on ahead of Delhi. Finding out how to use reverse swing like Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, for one.
"There was reverse swing in the tenth over of the game. That has such an impact," Michael Clarke said of Australia's loss in Mohali. "India are bowling across the seam in the first four or five overs to try and rough the ball up as much as possible to make it reverse swing early.
"I didn't see that on my first tour of India. Why are they reverse swinging it in the tenth over and we're reverse swinging it in the 80th over?"
That might be a question for Australia's bowling coach Troy Cooley. Last time the Australians were demolished by a reverse-swinging attack was during the 2005 Ashes when Cooley was England's bowling coach.
Full postPolice get shirty over Aussie fans
It’s not just Australia’s cricketers who are having a tough time of it in Mohali, where some travelling fans have also found themselves in a spot of bother
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
It’s not just Australia’s cricketers who are having a tough time of it in Mohali, where some travelling fans have also found themselves in a spot of bother. PTI has reported that a group of Australian spectators was hauled away by police for wearing t-shirts with offensive slogans.
"The slogans written were 'Beer with Mahatma, Bets with Gupta, Dancing with Indira and still getting runs',” a police officer told PTI. "We took strong objection to it and summoned them ... they apologised before us, saying their intention was not to hurt anyone's sentiments. We let them off with a warning and sent them to their hotel to get their dresses changed.”
One of the group told the Times of India they had not intended to cause any trouble. "All was harmless fun,” the spectator said. “We are on a tour to enjoy India, its culture, its people and cricket. So if we have offended anybody we apologise, but it was not intentional.”
Full postHot milk with turmeric for breakfast
Bananas, banana shakes, eggs and hot milk with turmeric form part of Sachin Tendulkar’s breakfast, according to the chef at the hotel at which the teams are staying in Mohali
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
Bananas, banana shakes, eggs and hot milk with turmeric form part of Sachin Tendulkar’s breakfast, according to the chef at the hotel at which the teams are staying in Mohali. The ‘power breakfast’ for the players is a high-calorie mean with plenty of fibre and energy drinks. "We give them mix of continental which contains chicken or fish, baked beans, breakfast cereals, high calories like multi-grain bread, muesli, choice of cheese spreads, fresh variety of cut fruits and juices," Ramit Kohli told Indian Express.
There are exceptions, though, for on Wednesday the Indians had oil-free crispy paranthas and the Australians ate dosas. Ricky Ponting, however, preferred poached eggs.
Full postWhat did Harbhajan's fingers say to the face?
There isn’t much danger of a reprise of monkey chants with the absence of Andrew Symonds, but that doesn’t stop a couple of Australian supporters from having some good-natured fun at the expense of Harbhajan Singh, the other central character in the
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
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"What did Harbhajan's five fingers say to the face ......Slap", read the message on the t-shirts that Paul Weston and Mark Edmonds wore to the ground on the second day of the Bangalore Test. It was cheeky, but without malice. “We decided to bring our own humour by coming up with a line every day", Edmonds said. They got the text written out at a local mall in Bangalore. “We wanted to print a photograph of Harbhajan on the back, but couldn't find it,” Weston said. They are from Melbourne and on their final leg of a month-long tour of India, which has taken them, among other places, to Kashmir.
Full postWarne's words of comfort
Shane Warne has offered some words of comfort to Australia's young spinners, Jason Krejza and Cameron White, as they prepare for a baptism of fire against India.
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Shane Warne has offered some words of comfort to Australia's young spinners, Jason Krejza and Cameron White, as they prepare for a baptism of fire against India.
White appears to be favourite to make his debut in Bangalore, with the prospect of bowling at a line-up including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly.
"Even I found it tough in India, and I'd like to think I was one of the better spinners around," Warne said. "It took us [Australia] a number of years to learn how to play out there. On the last trip I took 14 wickets in three matches and missed the last game on a bunsen when Michael Clarke took 6 for 9. I may have got one or two then.
Full postBangalore or Perth?
Australia’s fast bowlers have been buoyed by their first glimpse of the pitch in Bangalore
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
Australia’s fast bowlers have been buoyed by their first glimpse of the pitch in Bangalore. Far from being the sort of surface where they would bend their backs for little reward, the pitch was described as “hard and shiny”.
It is the work of Phil Stoyanoff, the New Zealand curator who looks after the Napier Test ground and was summoned to India to prepare the Bangalore pitch. "It reminds me of the WACA," Stoyanoff told the Herald Sun. "It's been rolled and rolled in the past week and is really firm. It has a lovely sound to it."
Although there are a few cracks already, Stoyanoff does not believe they will break up. "I have no worries about the cracks,” he said.
Full postInjured Sreesanth lies low
The sight of Sreesanth toiling alone at one corner of the Chinnaswamy Stadium as the Australian squad trained 50 yards away seemed somewhat unkind
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
The sight of Sreesanth toiling alone at one corner of the Chinnaswamy Stadium as the Australian squad trained 50 yards away seemed somewhat unkind. As he continued with his rehab under the watchful eyes of the NCA trainer, Sreesanth did his best not to get distracted by the action around him. On another day the media would have surrounded him for quips and gossip. On Tuesday even the ever-hungry TV reporters decided to snub him.
Not that the fast bowler was in a mood to face the camera. When a few of us approached him he wasn't willing to open up. Signing autographs silently he acknowledged the greetings. Was he missing the action? "Four months, man. I haven't bowled for four months," he replied. His tone made his disappointment amply clear. But he wasn't giving up. As he walked away he repeated the word "four", suggesting he would be back for the final Test in Nagpur.
Full postPonting clocks on for offspin duty
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Spin is such a massive weakness for Australia and with Michael Clarke suffering from a stomach problem, they are looking at all options. Even Ricky Ponting spent time delivering offspinners at training in Bangalore, just in case he’s needed.
Jason Krejza has been under heavy scrutiny during the first two weeks of the tour, particularly from Yuvraj Singh in Hyderabad, and there was more extreme focus on him during Australia’s first practice at the ground. Andrew Hilditch, a full-time analyst in his roles as a lawyer and Australia’s chairman of selectors, watched the slow-bowling net for most of the session as Krejza, the offspinner, and Cameron White, the legspinner, tried to convince him they were ready for a debut. Simon Katich, whose left-arm wrist spin could be handy, had a go too.
Full postRain, rain, go away
Rain over the past few days is making Bangalore feel a bit like Manchester, minus the cold
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Rain over the past few days is making Bangalore feel a bit like Manchester, minus the cold. Forty-one millimetres fell on Monday night and the ground squelched with each step on Tuesday morning, although the locals were pleased with the way the surface had held up. However, more evening showers and storms are predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday. The conditions forced the Australian fast men to operate off short runs in the nets, but Brett Lee and Peter Siddle were able to stretch out on a practice wicket in the centre square. Bowlers rarely worry about their front foot in these situations, but Lee will need to bring his delivery stride back by almost a metre to avoid over-stepping when the match starts on Thursday.
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