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Cricket......

India - Australia first test match

I believe the outcome of the first test match between India & Australia has much to do with the Umpires. Just think if Tendulkar was not given out wrongly in the first inning, India would have scored much more, think if umpire would have given Steve Waugh wrongly out in the first inning when Australia was struggling, India would have got upper hand in this test match. So when Steve Waugh stated that wrong decisions by umpiring has nothing to do with outcome, he is absolutely wrong.
KASHYAP MUZUMDAR

Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to address the issue of Indian cricket, outside of India. It has been widely agreed that India's cricketing record outside of Indian soil is not exactly brilliant. I believe that the Indian cricket team is a world class team, especially player likes Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid. But what we need is a really good bowling attack. Sure we have Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, not to mention the brilliant Anil Kumble, but surely this is not enough. We have not got the bowlers who can take the wickets when India needs it the most. We need an attacking bowler, someone who can produce the results when need be.
The recent test match which India loss to Australia has been blamed on the poor umpiring decisions. But surely, this is not the only reason. When India had Australia on the ropes at lunch time (on the first day), I really thought that we can easily win the match. But after viewing the defensive field setting that Tendulkar opted for, I regathered my thoughts. This was going to be another Australia comeback and it was. What we needed at that moment was a bowler who could take a wicket or two which would have changed the result of the match.
I believe that India should invest in better bowling training sessions, and finally produce the required bowling attack. Also, why is Tendulkar the captain. I believe that Tendulkar has the potential but being the captain at the same time he is unable to play his natural game. This will affect his batting and his captaincy at the same time. In my opinion Ajay Jadeja can become a good captain for India. Change the captain and watch as Tendulkar puts on century upon century, sending the Australians back to the drawing board.
Go India, and Go Sachin!
RAJA DEVANATHAN

Umpire's wicket

The game of cricket has lost it's luster particularly when it is played in Australia. There is no doubt Australian team does put all it's effort to win the match no matter if there reputation is in line. To top it up Australian umpires like Daryl Harper, would not allow the best batsman in the world to show his batting fest. I remember the days, while listening to the radio commentary, when there was a doubtful decision benifit of doubt would go to the batsman.
At first I thought in the first innings what an appelling decision it was give Tendulkar out and I said to myself that Harper has gifted that wicket to the bowler. But in the second innings it was totally disgusting which show Australian team do not play the game with the sportsman spirit and they always have to have the 12th man in the form of umpire to get the match winning wicket particularly when playing in their own country.
In the early part of the summer Pakistan team was disappointed with umpires' behaviour and couple of years back Sri Lankan team was treated in similar manner. To my understanding Indian sub-continent have formidable teams who could match any other cricketing nation in the world. They play against themselves and other nations in the world and boycotting Australia I would say, would to do no harm on their performance.
I believe most cricket fans would agree to my view.
DHURUBA ROY

Australian Umpires have a lower standards

Hi,
Enough it Enough - poor umpiring in Australia make Australia looks terrible in front of the whole world. Umpires like D. Harper,Haire should be given chances in the games like Under 14 Or Under 15 cricket teams. If this is Not cheating then what is it??? "Australian captain Steve Waugh said he though Tendulkar was out but added that the decision had little impact on the outcome of the match". What an idiot?? If this is not a setup then why is he protecting the umpires, which according to whole world was an error by D.Harper. My request to International Cricket Council to see such decisions and suspend this type of umpiring in the future and D. Harper has proved not once but twice that he is non competence. If Australian Cricket Board (ACB) is not bringing Neutral umpires to this test matches then whole should ban playing cricket with Australia (just like Mr. Kerry Packer's time)
SHRINGI ANIL

Indian Cricket

Dear Sir,
It is a sad day in Indian Cricket, when our top bats cannot score a bare 400 runs in two innings. Kapil is very correct in asking Sunil Gavaskar to help the top order in learning to face pace bowling. Between Sunil and Kapil we have the best cricketers to ever play the game. It seems so obvious that they should be involved in all aspects of development of future cricketers in India. We should have Bedi, Venkat and Prasana helping as well. It seems that attitude needs a major overhauling as they appeared to have lost the drive and spirit in the second of the recently concluded match. Is there a 'Sport Psychologist' working with the team? If not there needs to be one. The talent is there, no doubt, but the application and production is very disappointing.
One match or loss , however does not make a completely disaster, but the way the team folded does not bode well for the rest of the tour. It will be a test for Sachin's mettle and resiliency. It will test his resolve and define his captaincy. So far the results have been very disappointing, which I am sure he regrets. I do wish the boys all the best for the rest of the tour, but the greater picture has be re-defined and intensive involvement of the great players of yester-years will be very much appreciated.
SANJIV