<div>A score of 161 all out and then letting Australia make 149 for no loss. It was difficult to imagine what was worse - India's batting or bowling on the opening day of the Perth Test yesterday.u00a0</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="/imagedata/2012/jan/Ben-Hilfenhaus.jpg" border="5" align="" alt="" /><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: 8pt; ">On Fire: Ben Hilfenhaus</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>It all pointed to the worst opening day one could remember for India. I wondered if this could be measured, so I looked at opening days where India had spent time both batting and bowling, and compared averages.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure enough, there was nothing to really compare with a batting average of 16.1 (161 all out) and a bowling average of 149+ (149/0). There have been a few days where a big Indian collapse has been followed by opposing batsmen running amok such as...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>&gt;&gt;</b> The Lucknow Test against Pakistan in 1952-53 when India were all out for 106 and Pakistan made 46 without losing any wicket.u00a0</div><div><br /></div><div><b>&gt;&gt;u00a0</b>At Leeds in 1959, India managed just 161 and England replied with 61 for no loss.u00a0</div><div><br /></div><div><b>&gt;&gt;</b>u00a0At Bridgetown in 1975-76, India made 177 and West Indies ended with 97 for one.u00a0</div><div><br /></div><div><b>&gt;&gt;u00a0</b>At Lord's in 1979, India were bowled out for 96 before England ended the day with 53 for one.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the above instances were indeed bad, but compare with the disaster in Perth. The two comparisons I could find were the first day at Manchester in 1936, where India were bowled out for 203 and England then ended with 173/2.u00a0</div><div><br /></div><div>More recently at Ahmedabad in 2007-08, the Dale Steyn-led South African attack finished India off in 20 overs for a paltry 76 and then Jacques Kallis and AB De Villiers took South Africa tou00a0</div><div>223 for four.</div><div><br /></div>                

A score of 161 all out and then letting Australia make 149 for no loss. It was difficult to imagine what was worse - India's batting or bowling on the opening day of the Perth Test yesterday.

Pulverised at Perth

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Pulverised at Perth

Pulverised at Perth

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast