Can a bowler find a way to exploit a batter's anatomy and his movements? England did it to Bradman and Co. in the Bodyline series in 1932-33 but modern bowlers have tried a variation of this strategy too and turned in unforgettable spells.

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Talking Points:

• The essence of Bodyline
• Wahab Riaz v Watson in Adelaide, 2015
• The left-armer's unusual advantage when cramping the right-handers
• Mitchell Johnson's spell from hell at the Gabba in 2013
• Why it is relatively easy for a batter to leave some short balls compared to others
• Tendulkar v red hot Australian pace in Ahmedabad in 2011
• Allan Donald v Mike Atherton, Trent Bridge, 1998
• The disadvantage of the back-and-across movement for right-hand batters
• Wasim Akram v Rahul Dravid, Chennai, 1999
• Fearless: Mohinder Amarnath memoir - Amazon

Participants:

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Prashant DP (@prashantdptweet) | Medium

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Buy books republished by 81allout:

War Minus the Shooting by Mike Marqusee

Cricket Beyond the Bazaar by Mike Coward

The Summer Game by Gideon Haigh

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Related

• Wahab Riaz spell v Watson - YouTube
• Mohammad Amir to Watson - YouTube
• Mitchell Johnson at the Gabba, 2013 - YouTube
• How the summer of Johnson changed cricket - ESPNcricinfo
• Allan Donald v Mike Atherton, Trent Bridge, 1998 - YouTube
• Allan Donald fast bowling masterclass - YouTube
• Wasim Akram v Dravid, Chennai, 1999 - YouTube
• India. Pakistan. Chennai. 1999 - Siddhartha Vaidyanathan - ESPNcricinfo

We review the fifth Test between Australia and India in Sydney where Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a thrilling three-day win.

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Talking Points:

• Australia's superior bowling depth wins the day
• The remarkable Mr Boland
• India's muddled approach to this series: neither batting heavy nor bowling heavy
• Why didn't India trust their fast bowlers enough to play 4 each Test?
• The futility of picking two spinners in these conditions
• Jasprit Bumrah's steep workload; Siraj's tireless spells
• Are Rohit and Kohli both in decline or is there a way back for them?
• A series full of electric bowling
• Rishabh Pant's mad max half-century
• Prasidh Krishna's promise of steepling bounce
• The end of an era of magnificent India-Australia series

Participants:

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Mahesh (@cornerd)

Ashoka

Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) | Substack| ESPNcricinfo

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Buy books republished by 81allout:

War Minus the Shooting by Mike Marqusee

Cricket Beyond the Bazaar by Mike Coward

The Summer Game by Gideon Haigh

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related

• Australia Regain The Border-Gavaskar Trophy After A Decade - Kartikeya Date - Cricketingview substack
• India’s BGT report card - Sriram Veera - Indian Express
• Australia’s bowlers batter India to keep home fires burning for World Championship tilt - Geoff Lemon - Guardian
• India dismantle England in lop-sided finale: India v England, 5th Test review - 81allout podcast archive

We review the fourth Test between Australia and India at Melbourne. Australia went 2-1 ahead after a special win.

⁠Support 81allout on Ko-Fi

Talking Points:

• A series where the first 40 overs is vastly different to the second 40
• Why are India hesitant to play a fourth fast bowler?
• India's issue with four tailenders - and Australia's advantage in the lower order
• The Sam Konstas decision - and the hat tip to Bumrah
• Nathan Lyon's first-innings v second-innings effectiveness in Australia
• Jasprit Bumrah's mastery over the new and old ball
• Siraj and Akash Deep: impressive yet unlucky
• Rohit Sharma's struggles over his last 6 Tests

Participants:

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Ashoka

Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) | Substack| ESPNcricinfo

*

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buy books republished by 81allout:

War Minus the Shooting by Mike Marqusee

Cricket Beyond the Bazaar by Mike Coward

The Summer Game by Gideon Haigh

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related

• Australia 2-1 Up As India's Hedge Fails - Kartikeya Date - Cricketingview substack
• Sam Konstas makes debut to remember - Geoff Lemon - Guardian
• Rohit on Bumrah's bowling workloads: 'We've been very careful' - Alagappan Muthu - ESPNcricinfo

• Nitish Kumar Reddy’s father: ‘No one used to know my name outside my town, but now in Australia people are asking selfies’ - Sriram Veera - Indian Express