A day away and the interest shown in this series has been great!
After a rather controversial series between these two teams earlier this year, things have seemed to have been patched up, we’ve moved on and now the excitement is here for the next installment of the Border-Gavaskar series, this time in cricket mad India.
India has had some news in their camp. The pressures on the senior players after the Sri-Lanka Test series loss and their inconsistency have resulted in a red apple being placed upon their heads. Along with those pressures ODI legend (in my opinion) Sourav Ganguly has decided to retire after this series. He will bow out of the game after a great story for himself and his supporters. No doubt he will be trying to go out with a bang, so he will be watched by the Aussies.
Australia won their last Test series in India 2-1, as was the result last summer in Australia.
Only four members of that 2004 side are still present, and this has been the talk of the Australian outfit for the last season and a bit. This has also made the series just that extra bit interesting.
The spinner dilemma! That seems to be where the Indian players have pigeonholed the most obvious weakness in the Australian unit. After Bryce McGain (first choice spinner) was flown back home after not recovering from his lingering shoulder injury, Cameron ‘The Bear’ White was sent over as his replacement. White is not only a threatening batsman to the opposition, but is also becoming a very useful spinner. He was picked over the possible likes of Beau Casson, Nathan Bracken and Ashley Noffke. Michael Clarke is also in the spinner ranks, but has raised concerns for the first Test selection after he fell ill on tour, as did Shane Watson. Although I am certain they’ll both be ready.
Besides the lack of spin, the pace attack is looking dynamite. Brett Lee will lead the attack, with Stuart Clark looking to continue his incredible ascendancy in Test match cricket. Mitchell Johnson showed promise in both the warm up games for the Indian conditions, and Shane Watson will be looking to back that. Peter Siddle had his moments but should he get a game in, he will be expected to show his skills off with consistent contributions.
Jason Krejza, who according to Ricky Ponting felt a few nerves in his first few overs, will be possibly overlooked in place of Cameron White, but he has been picked to represent the touring squad and the enthusiasm I have picked up from him in interviews shows he is rearing to have his moment in the middle!
The batting front looks as strong always, and is the key in holding the stability together. Historically in the last few encounters between these teams, the side batting first has come out the better team. For the Australians, their batting is the area to snuff the Indians out of the game. Then again, the Indians are looking at the same attack strategy one would imagine.
Simon Katich, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, who were all apart of the 2004 tour, along with Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques and Brad Haddin, are all making up the batting numbers. It is a very strong and experienced unit, with the exception of Brad Haddin at International test level, who has his biggest opportunity ever to silence his critics with the Gilchrist shoe filler questions.
I feel the Indian seniors are reaching their decline, notably the likes of Dravid, Laxman and Kumble, but I do reckon India’s youngsters have been underestimated. I have noticed a fair bit of skepticism towards the younger members and their ability to show maturity and discipline in the longer version of the game. I think they smell the opportunity, which is as good as it’s been for young Indian cricketers in a very long time.
After a rather controversial series between these two teams earlier this year, things have seemed to have been patched up, we’ve moved on and now the excitement is here for the next installment of the Border-Gavaskar series, this time in cricket mad India.
India has had some news in their camp. The pressures on the senior players after the Sri-Lanka Test series loss and their inconsistency have resulted in a red apple being placed upon their heads. Along with those pressures ODI legend (in my opinion) Sourav Ganguly has decided to retire after this series. He will bow out of the game after a great story for himself and his supporters. No doubt he will be trying to go out with a bang, so he will be watched by the Aussies.
Australia won their last Test series in India 2-1, as was the result last summer in Australia.
Only four members of that 2004 side are still present, and this has been the talk of the Australian outfit for the last season and a bit. This has also made the series just that extra bit interesting.
The spinner dilemma! That seems to be where the Indian players have pigeonholed the most obvious weakness in the Australian unit. After Bryce McGain (first choice spinner) was flown back home after not recovering from his lingering shoulder injury, Cameron ‘The Bear’ White was sent over as his replacement. White is not only a threatening batsman to the opposition, but is also becoming a very useful spinner. He was picked over the possible likes of Beau Casson, Nathan Bracken and Ashley Noffke. Michael Clarke is also in the spinner ranks, but has raised concerns for the first Test selection after he fell ill on tour, as did Shane Watson. Although I am certain they’ll both be ready.
Besides the lack of spin, the pace attack is looking dynamite. Brett Lee will lead the attack, with Stuart Clark looking to continue his incredible ascendancy in Test match cricket. Mitchell Johnson showed promise in both the warm up games for the Indian conditions, and Shane Watson will be looking to back that. Peter Siddle had his moments but should he get a game in, he will be expected to show his skills off with consistent contributions.
Jason Krejza, who according to Ricky Ponting felt a few nerves in his first few overs, will be possibly overlooked in place of Cameron White, but he has been picked to represent the touring squad and the enthusiasm I have picked up from him in interviews shows he is rearing to have his moment in the middle!
The batting front looks as strong always, and is the key in holding the stability together. Historically in the last few encounters between these teams, the side batting first has come out the better team. For the Australians, their batting is the area to snuff the Indians out of the game. Then again, the Indians are looking at the same attack strategy one would imagine.
Simon Katich, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, who were all apart of the 2004 tour, along with Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques and Brad Haddin, are all making up the batting numbers. It is a very strong and experienced unit, with the exception of Brad Haddin at International test level, who has his biggest opportunity ever to silence his critics with the Gilchrist shoe filler questions.
I feel the Indian seniors are reaching their decline, notably the likes of Dravid, Laxman and Kumble, but I do reckon India’s youngsters have been underestimated. I have noticed a fair bit of skepticism towards the younger members and their ability to show maturity and discipline in the longer version of the game. I think they smell the opportunity, which is as good as it’s been for young Indian cricketers in a very long time.
I am more wary about the Indian batting line up than their bowling attack.
India’s chances in winning this series are very high if Australia’s defenses are down. If Australia comes out on a strong note, it will be a tester for them, even with home conditions. But the unknown is very much alive on this one! India’s line-up has the definite hand up to the punters.
There is plenty interest in the series, from all over the cricketing world, and this rivalry has most certainly become India’s very own ‘Ashes like’ tournament! Expectations are high on both sides, and let’s hope we don’t get a dustbowl of a wicket like that of the 4th test of 2004!
It will be a hard fought contest, with some controversy no doubt, and a few cheap comments here and there, but that is competitive cricket at its best. It has always existed but just with the modern technology we get that little bit closer to the intensity of a 5 day battle!
And on your television set you can catch the series in action!
Cricinfo.com has ball by ball commentary in text form for those of you who may not be able to catch it on television, but otherwise enjoy the series and well, will the Baggy Green retain the trophy or will India pounce upon the cap and rip back the trophy?
Over the next few weeks, we will find out.
India’s chances in winning this series are very high if Australia’s defenses are down. If Australia comes out on a strong note, it will be a tester for them, even with home conditions. But the unknown is very much alive on this one! India’s line-up has the definite hand up to the punters.
There is plenty interest in the series, from all over the cricketing world, and this rivalry has most certainly become India’s very own ‘Ashes like’ tournament! Expectations are high on both sides, and let’s hope we don’t get a dustbowl of a wicket like that of the 4th test of 2004!
It will be a hard fought contest, with some controversy no doubt, and a few cheap comments here and there, but that is competitive cricket at its best. It has always existed but just with the modern technology we get that little bit closer to the intensity of a 5 day battle!
And on your television set you can catch the series in action!
Cricinfo.com has ball by ball commentary in text form for those of you who may not be able to catch it on television, but otherwise enjoy the series and well, will the Baggy Green retain the trophy or will India pounce upon the cap and rip back the trophy?
Over the next few weeks, we will find out.
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