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Australia and India face off in the second Test cricket match at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting today. The big questions are, can India fight back? Can Sachin Tendulkar score that hundredth century? Can Ricky Ponting get a century of his own?
India’s eventual loss in Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test was unexpectedly meek, after having been in strong positions during the match’s second and third innings. They subsided in the fourth, and will be extremely keen to restore pride.
India’s batting stars have fearsome records at the MCG, with Tendulkar averaging 221 runs at the venue after three centuries in four Tests, including a double-hundred, and four not-out innings out of seven. He has three low scores of 4, 12, and 45, but having passed that 45 mark, has never been dismissed at the SCG.
VVS Laxman has also scored three hundreds at the ground, his coming from just three Tests. Without the not-outs, he averages in the 90s at the SCG, in what is still an imposing record. He looked in poor touch at the MCG, but also has a miserable career record at that ground, so a revival can by no means be ruled out.
Australia’s hopes will rest on its rejuvenated fast bowling trio. Already the hype has been reaching maximum, with various pundits claiming the Melbourne win as the start of a dynasty and the beginnings of what could be the world’s best pace attack. A more circumspect mind might suggest we wait until they’ve played more than one Test together before nominating James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, and Ben Hilfenhaus as world-beaters, particularly considering that England made the latter two look innocuous during last year’s Ashes.
Nevertheless, Pattinson’s rise has been meteoric, with two man-of-the-match awards in his three Tests to date, and his comrades look different bowlers to twelve months ago. Siddle especially has relished being made leader of the attack after Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris fell away due to injury.
There’s also the question of Australia’s batting frailties. The home side will be hoping David Warner and Ed Cowan can continue their promising starts, and that Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting can at least match their results from Melbourne. Scrutiny will be on skipper Michael Clarke, after a few poor scores, and Shaun Marsh, after a forgettable Melbourne match.
Depending how grassy the pitch and how cloudy the sky, India may bowl first if they win the toss. Australia is likely to bat regardless, so the only intrigue will centre around Dhoni’s decision should the coin fall his way.
Tune in with Geoff Lemon shortly before play begins at 10.30, and join in the commentary conversation over the course of the day, and of course over the next five. Scroll down to the Comments section to find the live blog, and to add your responses.