Factbox for the first cricket Test between Australia and India, at the MCG, December 26-30.

TEAMS

Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Phil Jaques, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait (12th man to be named).

India (possible team): Anil Kumble (capt), Rahul Dravid, Wasim Jaffer, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Karthik (12th man).

WEATHER

Fine conditions forecast throughout the match despite rain in the lead-up. Temperatures ranging from 25-32 degrees.

ODDS

TAB Sportsbet – Australia $1.57, Draw $3, India $8.50

Centrebet – Australia $1.57, Draw $3.05, India $9.50

OVERALL MATCHES

Overall: Played 68, Australia won 32, India won 15, Drawn 20, Tied 1

In Australia: Played 32, Australia won 20, India won 4, Drawn 8

At MCG: Played 8, Australia won 6, India won 1, Drawn 1

A snapshot of recent Test cricket series between Australia and India.

2004-05 (in India)

Adam Gilchrist took the reins in the absence of Ricky Ponting, who was nursing a broken thumb. The visitors won in Bangalore after Michael Clarke’s century on debut, and then sealed an historic series victory in the third Test in Nagpur. Australia’s quicks blunted India’s batsmen and even though the home side won a consolation rubber on a bad pitch in Mumbai, the tourists celebrated their first series victory in India in 35 years.

Australia won 2-1 (four Tests)

2003-04 (in Australia)

It was supposed to be Steve Waugh’s triumphant farewell, but India’s batsmen wrecked the party. With Glenn McGrath injured and Shane Warne suspended, Australia lacked the firepower against Rahul Dravid’s men. Ajit Agarkar bowled India to victory in the second Test in Adelaide to give them a 1-0 lead, before Ponting’s second successive double ton helped Australia level 1-1 in Melbourne. Waugh’s farewell in Sydney was a run-fest, which Australia nearly threw away, until Simon Katich saved the day.

Drawn 1-1 (four Tests), India retain Border-Gavaskar Trophy

2000-01 (in India)

The series that gave Australia-Indian rivalry new meaning. The visitors strolled to a 10-wicket win in Mumbai and were headed for victory in Kolkata when Waugh enforced the follow-on. But VVS Laxman and Dravid put on 376 to turn the match and allow India’s bowlers to do the job. The third Test, in Chennai, was also a classic, as India won by two wickets. The stars were Matthew Hayden, with 549 runs for the series, and Harbhajan Singh, who took 32 wickets.

India won 2-1 (three Tests)

1999-2000 (in Australia)

Australia made it a subcontinental clean sweep by thrashing Pakistan and India in successive three-match series. Waugh set up victory over India in Adelaide with 150, Brett Lee burst on to the stage with 5-47 in Melbourne and Justin Langer and Ponting made big hundreds to complete the rout in Sydney. Sachin Tendulkar and Laxman made centuries, but India were no match for a side amid a 16-match winning run, eventually broken in Kolkata in 2001.

Australia won 3-0 (three Tests)

Australia-India Test series played in Australia

1947-48 – Australia won 4-0 (five Tests)

1967-68 – Australia won 4-0 (four Tests)

1977-78 – Australia won 3-2 (five Tests)

1980-81 – Drawn 1-1 (three Tests)

1985-86 – Drawn 0-0 (three Tests)

1991-92 – Australia won 4-0 (five Tests)

1999-2000 – Australia won 3-0 (three Tests)

2003-04 – Drawn 1-1 (four Tests)

Last 10 Tests: I A D A D A I D I I

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS

Most matches for Australia: 20 by Allan Border (1979-92)

Most matches for India: 24 by Dilip Vengsarkar (1977-92)

Most runs for Australia: 1567 by Allan Border (20 matches, average 52.23, HS 163)

Most runs for India: 1859 by Sachin Tendulkar (21 matches, average 53.11, HS 241*)
Most wickets for Australia: 52 by Richie Benaud (8 matches, average 18.38, BB 7-72)

Most wickets for India: 88 by Anil Kumble (14 matches, average 27.17, BB 8-141)

BATTING RECORDS

Highest score by Australia: 674 at Adelaide Oval 1947-48

Highest score by India: 7(dec)-705 at SCG 2003-04

Highest score for Australia: 257 by Ricky Ponting at MCG 2003-04

Highest score for India: 281 by VVS Laxman at Kolkata 2000-01

Lowest score by Australia: 83 at MCG 1980-81

Lowest score by India: 58 at Gabba 1947-48

BOWLING RECORDS

Best bowling for Australia: 7-27 by Mike Whitney at WACA Ground 1991-92

Best bowling for India: 9-69 by Jasubhai Patel at Kanpur 1959-60

TEAMS

Australia cricket team

Ricky Ponting (captain)

DOB: 19-12-1974

Tests 112, Runs 9508 @ 59.42, HS 257

Another strong series will make the premier batsman the second Australian to pass the 10,000 mark, after Allan Border. Missed the 2004 series win over India through injury, so has personal and team incentive to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But first, he has some tough calls to make on team selection and what to do tomorrow should he win the toss.

Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain)

DOB: 14-11-1971

Tests 92, Runs 5420 @ 49.27, HS 204*, Catches 354, Stumpings 37

Has struggled with the bat against India, as an average of 29.95 suggests. But recent form has been good and proved an adept leader when he led Australia to a breakthrough series win in India in 2004. On the verge of 400 wicketkeeping dismissals.

Stuart Clark

DOB: 28-9-1975

Tests 11, Runs 116 @ 14.50, HS 39, Wickets 54 @ 20.24, BB 5-55

His results were down in the two recent Tests against Sri Lanka compared to his honeymoon 2006, but five wickets a match represents an incredible start to Test cricket. Will bowl plenty of overs against India’s array of good batsmen.

Michael Clarke

DOB: 2-4-1981

Tests 29, Runs 1728 @ 46.70, HS 151, Wickets 8 @ 17.25, BB 6-9

Made a memorable century on debut in India in 2004 and his star continues to rise given his good form and elevation to Twenty20 skipper. Could also be called upon to bowl his left-arm spin.

Matthew Hayden

DOB: 29-10-1971

Tests 91, Runs 7832 @ 52.56, HS 380

Has happy memories of India given his breakthrough series came on the subcontinent in 2001. Missed out amid the run spree in the recent series win over Sri Lanka, but was in imperious form in the one-day game throughout 2007.

Brad Hogg

DOB: 6-2-1971

Tests 4, Runs 38 @ 9.50, HS 17*, Wickets 9 @ 50.22, BB 2-40

On the verge of playing his first Test since 2003, and although he had a good limited-overs record, the jury is out on his ability to be a match-winning spinner in the longer form. That said, his Pura Cup form is strong and his wrong’un could trouble India. Will play if Australia deploy a conventional attack of three quicks and a spinner.

Mike Hussey

DOB: 27-5-1975

Tests 18, Runs 1896 @ 86.18, HS 182

Seven hundreds in his first two years means there is no end in sight to his astonishing start. Yet to play India in a Test, but will doubtless have plans to combat their spinners and come Boxing Day will be seeking a third century in as many matches.

Phil Jaques

DOB: 3-5-1979

Tests 4, Runs 414 @ 69, HS 150

Made his Test debut on Boxing Day 2005 but looks a more assured and confident player now that he has a regular spot. Hit two tons against Sri Lanka and then fought off a bout of the mumps. Returns to the scene of his Test debut two years ago.

Mitchell Johnson

DOB: 2-11-1981

Tests 2, Yet to bat, Wickets 8 @ 30.12, BB 3-101

Made an encouraging start to his Test career against Sri Lanka and provides good variety with his left-arm swing. Has waged a battle with fellow speedster Shaun Tait in the lead-up to this match, but his good one-day form in India in October will assist his cause.

Brett Lee

DOB: 8-11-1976

Tests 61, Runs 1098 @ 21.11, HS 64, Wickets 247 @ 30.69, BB 5-30

Head of the pace attack, chart-topping singer and future Bollywood star. Will be pumped for a big series against India given his popularity there and his struggles in 2003-04. His man of the series performance against Sri Lanka bodes well.

Andrew Symonds

DOB: 9-6-1975

Tests 15, Runs 621 @ 32.68, HS 156, Wickets 13 @ 39.92, BB 3-50

Has respectable career statistics as an allrounder now, but a year ago it wasn’t the case. Then came a breakthrough innings of 156 against England last Boxing Day Test. Also has personal incentive to do well against India given his run-ins there in October.

Shaun Tait

DOB: 22-2-1983

Tests 2, Runs 8 @ 8, HS 4, Wickets 5 @ 42, BB 3-97

A pace triumvirate of Lee, Tait and Johnson would be exciting, and it is not an impossibility, depending on selectors. The South Australian is the paceman knocking on the door, loudly. Last played a Test on the 2005 Ashes tour, and his best chance of playing is at Hogg’s expense, if Australia choose an all-pace attack, given Johnson’s incumbency.

Indian Cricket Team

Anil Kumble (captain)

DOB: 17-10-1970

Tests 121, Runs 2240 @ 18.06, HS 110*, Wickets 584 @ 28.66, BB 10-74

A giant of the game given he sits third on the list of wicket takers and is one of only two men to have taken all 10 wickets in an innings. Dangerous with his quick leg breaks and googlies delivered from height, a handy batsman and calm, determined leader.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (vice-captain)

DOB: 7-7-1981

Tests 22, Runs 1163 @ 38.76, HS 148, Catches 55, Stumpings 10

India’s answer to Gilchrist, as deputy leader, keeper and middle-order dasher. Although a limited-overs sensation, he has scored important Test runs and is a future Indian skipper, as he led the country to their Twenty20 world triumph in September.

Rahul Dravid

DOB: 11-1-1973

Tests 115, Runs 9683 @ 55.97, HS 270

Barring a bad run, should become the sixth man to reach the 10,000-run mark this series. Has an excellent record overseas, underlined by 233 in Adelaide four years ago, but has had his struggles of late. Likely to open the innings.

Sourav Ganguly

DOB: 8-7-1972

Tests 99, Runs 6346 @ 43.17, HS 239, Wickets 32 @ 49.46, BB 3-28

Famed for getting under the skin of his former coach Greg Chappell and his opponents over the years, but remains a classy batsman and handy medium pacer. Age has not wearied him either, as his Test best 239 came against Pakistan recently. Will become the sixth Indian to play 100 matches.

Wasim Jaffer

DOB: 16-2-1978

Tests 25, Runs 1769 @ 38.45, HS 212

Opener who made his Test debut in 2000 but did not cement his place until 2005, with a century against England. Has now scored five centuries in his past 18 Tests. Although low profile here, he has a crucial role against Australia’s new ball quicks.

Dinesh Karthik

DOB: 1-6-1985

Tests 19, Runs 931 @ 32.10, HS 129, Catches 42, Stumpings 5

The presence of Dravid and Jaffer means Karthik will likely miss out, as an opening batsman option. Also the back-up wicketkeeper to Dhoni.

Zaheer Khan

DOB: 7-10-1978

Tests 52, Runs 617 @ 12.09, HS 75, Wickets 165 @ 33.48, BB 5-29

Left-arm paceman who can swing the ball and is the spearhead of the attack. Has struggled at times against Australia, but had a good 2007, as he notably took 18 wickets at 20 in England to take his country to a series win. Missed his country’s last Test because of an ankle injury but has been declared fully fit.

VVS Laxman

DOB: 1-11-1974

Tests 86, Runs 5292 @ 44.10, HS 281

Elegant right-handed batsman who saves his best for Australia. Scored 281 in the miracle Test in Kolkata in 2001 and has made three hundreds in this country. Ended a somewhat lean run in 2007 with a century in the second Test against Pakistan. Likely to bat first drop.

Irfan Pathan

DOB: 27-10-1984

Tests 26, Runs 958 @ 30.90, HS 102, Wickets 92 @ 31.65, BB 7-59

Left-arm swing bowler who has drawn comparisons with Kapil Dev in terms of his all-round ability. Made his Test debut in Australia in 2003-04 but lost his way in 2006-07 until he was recalled for the recent series against Pakistan and scored his maiden century.

Virender Sehwag

DOB: 20-10-1978

Tests 52, Runs 4155 @ 49.46, HS 309, Wickets 14 @ 48.14, BB 3-33

An explosive batsman who is not afraid to try audacious shots. He lit up the MCG four years ago with 195 on Boxing Day, but is likely to be overlooked four years on, as he was a surprise call-up for this tour.

Ishant Sharma

DOB: 2-9-1988

Tests 2, No runs, Wickets 6 @ 31.50, BB 5-118

Young, tall right-arm fast bowler who who will showed encouraging signs when he took a five-wicket haul in the recent series against Pakistan.

Harbhajan Singh

DOB: 3-7-1980

Tests 60, Runs 991 @ 15.73, HS 66, Wickets 248 @ 30.43, BB 8-84

Took 32 Australian wickets in India’s 2-1 series win in 2001, but has largely failed to reach those heights since. Although he did not perform well in his only previous Test in Australia, in Brisbane in 2003, he might play as a second spinner behind Kumble, depending on the make-up of the tourists’ attack.

Pankaj Singh

DOB: 6-5-1985

No Tests

Tall right-arm fast bowler who won a place on the tour after fellow quicks Shantha Sreesanth and Munaf Patel were overlooked because of injury.

RP Singh

DOB 6-12-1984

Tests 7, Runs 36 @ 7.20, HS 17, Wickets 27 @ 30.44, BB 5-59

Left-arm quick who can swing the ball both ways and has been in and out of the Indian side over the past two years. Likely to get the nod for the first Test and could partner Khan with the new ball.

Yuvraj Singh

DOB: 12-12-1981

Tests 20, Runs 1001 @ 37.07, HS 169

Left-handed batsman who made 169 in the third Test against Pakistan and should keep his spot if Dravid opens. A hard and long hitter, he is the future of the Indian batting line-up and also an excellent fielder.

Sachin Tendulkar

DOB: 24-4-1973

Tests 142, Runs 11,289 @ 55.06, HS 248*, Wickets 42 @ 51.95, BB 3-10

The Little Master is worshipped in India and universally admired for his batting. Scored his first Test century in Australia as a teenager in 1991-92 and is keen to cap his final visit with a breakthrough series win. Needs 664 runs to surpass Brian Lara’s runs record.

SCHEDULE FOR REST OF SERIES

2nd Test – SCG, Jan 2-6

3rd Test – WACA Ground, Jan 16-20

4th Test – Adelaide Oval, Jan 24-28

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