Around the Wicket - India vs Australia Preview

Here at Around the Wicket, it’s probably time to take a quick look at the upcoming test series. Australia has headed off to India (because Sachin said it was safe to) for 4 test matches, the first of which kicks off next Thursday, October 9th on Fox Sports. I don’t know if there will be any radio coverage.

On the surface, it’s going to be a very tall order for the Aussies to actually win the series. Much has been made about the departures from the last side to play in India, and the arrival of some new boys in the team. There’s a lot of talk about our players not being used to Indian conditions – but I no longer believe such talk. With the birth of the IPL, countless one day internationals, and even Australia A tours – all players in the squad should have had enough time to get used to the conditions.

Yes, we know the Indians are going to play 3 spinners, and prepare dustbowls – but that is their right as the home team. If the BCCI is happy to continually see test matches end inside 3 days in farcical conditions and short change fans – then who are we to judge them for that? We all know the average Indian cricket fan has the attention span of a gnat. Anything longer than 20 overs per innings, and they tune out. Take a look at their average attendance figures for test matches over the last 10 years. Then compare it to the average attendance figures for 20/20 matches.

Anyway… so we know Australia’s squad. Jason Krezja is the front line spinner for the first test, and possibly the second, as Victorian hero Bryce McGain has suffered a shoulder injury in the lead up to the first test. I can’t confirm yet whether it’s from carrying the hopes of a nation on his back – but we should have the results back soon. Doug Bollinger and his new Hair Hat are putting pressure on sexy (according to my missus) Mitchell Johnson for the third seamer spot, and Shane Watson will most likely bat at 6, until he gets injured and Andrew Symonds is flown to India as replacement. Yes, it’s a new looking side, but it’s still a very good and formidable side.

Can this side win in India though? I’m not sure. My sources tell me that the Australian camp has been VERY focused on this series and is training harder than it has in a long time. There’s concern from some inside the camp that the amount of training being done for this series is going to leave the side mentally and physically exhausted by the end of the series. I should hope so. Unless the Aussie boys play out of their skin (all of them), they won’t stand a chance of beating India in a 4 test series.

There’s no doubt the pressure is on India. They are favourites in my book – they have more experience, and they are at home. They should not lose this series – and make no mistake – it’s theirs to lose. We are a side that despite being talented, we’re still in nappies (metaphorically) – 16 blokes still getting to know one another. Compare that to the old boys of India – Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Kumble, Laxman etc, and you see why the home side are favourites.

I’m predicting a 2-1 series win to India. Unfortunately, I think the best Australia can hope for is to draw the series 1-1. However, losing the series won’t be as big a setback as the Australian media will have you believe if it happens. The papers will run with headlines proclaiming the end of Australia’s dominance (which makes it the 6th time they’ve lost that inside about 3 years) of test cricket, and call for wholesale changes to be made to the side before the Ashes. Some will even call for Warnie to come out of retirement, and Ponting to step down from the captaincy. If you see such headlines on the back page of the paper – I encourage you not to read it. It’s sensationalistic, stupid, “let’s try to sell some papers” writing.

Next time - a preview of the 1st test.