- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Australia got their series off to the perfect start in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, with a hard-fought win over India by 122 runs. The series will now move to Sydney in the New Year’s Test. Let’s have a look at the talking points from both.
DRS – yes or no? The main problem I have with the DRS is that it isn’t binding and I don’t understand why. If it is good enough for Australia vs New Zealand, it should be good enough for Australia vs India. Either use it all the time or not at all.
Another problem is without DRS, umpiring threatens to overshadow a contest. It could become 2007/08 all over again. Human error happens, and that’s why DRS has been introduced, to try and eliminate that. Controversy isn’t needed when both sides are playing great cricket, like they were in Melbourne.
The pace bowling from both sides has been excellent. Pattinson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus won this game for their country with brilliant attacking pace bowling, as well as very handy efforts with the bat.
They pitched the ball up and quickly, which they needed to do on this wicket. It got them rewards as they twice skittled India. Hilfenhaus looked a better bowler, keeping it tight and swinging it, ending with 5/75 in the first. He also helped Pattinson and Siddle tear at the Indian batting, helping them to unleash their strengths and get a great start to the series
India’s pace attack also showed some great signs for the series. Zaheer, Ishant and Yadav bowled very well at different parts of the game. Zaheer got the old and new ball moving, snaring 4/77 in the first and 3/53 in the second.
Yadav bowled at good pace and took important wickets, triggering Australia’s shocking start to their second innings. Ishant Sharma, I thought, was unlucky not to take more wickets than his match figures of 36.3-7-91-2. His pace, line and swing is still there and will be a key, particularly in Perth.
Collapses and tail wags were a theme.
When wickets came in this game, they came in a rush. Australia’s first innings saw Ponting and Cowan take the score to 2/159, but then fall to 6/214. Tendulkar and Dravid had India in control at 2/214, but would be all out at 282. It was more surprising watching it happen to India’s long batting line-up. Can’t help but think had Tendulkar and Dravid stayed on till stumps, it could have been a very different game.
Australia’s wagging tail turned out to be crucial to the win. Siddle’s 41 in the first innings outscored his captain and helped push the score to 333. Pattinson’s 37 not out added to a handy 43-run partnership with Hilfenhaus helped swing momentum Australia’s way before the run chase. India’s tail didn’t have the same effect despite stubborn knocks from Ashwin and Sharma in the first and second innings.
A great pitch allowed a great contest. Cam Hodgkins provided top quality, offering something for both bat and ball. It held up well for the four days, which didn’t help Lyon and Ashwin all that much. Good Test pitches help to make good Test match cricket. Lets hope that this will be the same in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.
Looking ahead to Sydney, I was very surprised to hear Michael Clarke float the idea of four-man pace attack.
I doubt this will happen and I don’t think Ryan Harris will play. In Sydney, you need a spinner. Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin will each have a big part to play, in particular in the latter stages. Clarke will also hope his pace attack can bring the same effort and effect.
Can’t see any changes being made to either XI for Sydney, although Gautam Gambhir might be in the firing line after his two failures in Melbourne. Tendulkar (664 runs at 221.33) and Laxman (three Test tons in three matches) have great records at the SCG, and they’ll be the prize wickets for Australia. Tendulkar’s “100th hundred” show will roll on into Sydney, and I suspect we’ll see it there. India will be out to prove they’re a lot better than they were at the MCG.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.