Yes, Stephen Fleming was complaining that the itineary favoured the hosts. I don't see what's the problem with that. In India, the pitches and the schedule will be favouring the home side. We want to see our side win, we'll make pitches that do favour us. And as a side note, what about the pitches NZ offered when we toured them last winter in Nov-December ??

Has anyone noticed Bracken. He's a terrific bowler. His physique is amazing. He fires on field!! He's not just another pace bowler. Your views?

Oh no ! Another close match and India loses. Scores are

India 246/9
Kaif 64

NZ 249/6
Mcmillan 82*

Well, it's going to be close now. ANother close match, but I think it was because of bad captaincy. Dravid played with three spinners ! Laxman also opened, Kaif was sent in at 3 and Patel was not playing. When will Sourav come back ?

Stephen Fleming was actually complaining about the fact that the games started unusually early, which led to conditions early on being way to favourable to the team bowling first, and the result of the game being won or lost purely and simply on the toss of a coin. Even though Fleming is a Kiwi, he is one captain who doesn't say anything unless he has a valid point.

Re Nathan Bracken - Bracken has always been, to me, the third best left-arm pace bowler in Australia. He seems to have been given the NSW red-carpet treatment through to the Australian team.
If you want to see a class left-arm bowler, take a look at Matthew Inness from Victoria or, when he's fit, Brett Swain from South Australia.

Been a long time since the Australian team had the extra dimension of a left arm fast bowler. Am I right in thinking that Bruce Reid was the last?

Silence from a certain sub-continental contributor speaks volumes for what he must think of the most recent ODI between India and Australia. One might say that Dravid is NOT the Raul McCoy when it comes to international wicketkeepers, Chinky!!

OK, OK, India lost again. Frankly, this Indian team is half the side at the World Cup. However their batting was great to see and India would have managed to win. However I'm sure, India will win next match (stop giggling)

It was almost a remake of this year's WC final, just have a look at the scores.

Australia 347/2
Gilchrist a superb 111, Ponting 108

India 286/8
Sachin Tendulkar 89

Full marks to Australia and Ponting, great batting. However, India grabbed a crucial point in the match. The Indian batting was great to see as everyone went for their shots. If the target was about 305-310, I'm sure they would have managed it. Great going Australia.

So, India and New Zealand next on 15th November. The winner of the match gets a trip to the final on 18th Nov with Australia in the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. I'm sure it will be a great match.

India have spoken ! Yep, they vented their frustration on the poor Kiwis who were also without their captain Stephen Fleming.

India 353/5
Sehwag 130
Sachin 102
Dravid 50 not out

New Zealand 208 all out in 47 overs
Stryris 54
Mcullum 31

A huge total by India sealed the fate for the Kiwis. A magnificent 182 run opening partnership between Sehwag and Sachin was great to see. The other batsmen chimed in, and Dravid especially went mad. The ball went to all corners of the ground when he was on strike and he scored 50 out of only 22 balls to be the second fastest Indian batsman to score a 50 so quickly.

New Zealand and tried but could not do it. As soon as Styris and McMillan were out, India were destined to win.

So, off to Eden Gardens, Kolkata, I've got tickets and I'm going to see the match !

Angi, what was your experience of the finals?