Four factors that will decide the first Test

After the events of the last two weeks, it seems trivial to be writing about a game of cricket, but the first Test between Australia and India starts today at the Adelaide Oval.

We all know why it seems trivial, and we all know why the Brisbane Test was postponed, and then rescheduled.

I won’t be offering any more words on the life and death of Phillip Hughes, because others have done so far more eloquently than I, and I don’t feel I could do ‘Hughesy’ any more justice.

All I will add is: rest in peace, #408.

However, the subject matter of Hughes will remain unavoidable. His death will cast a shadow over the entire Test – if not the summer – and it would be naïve to think it won’t have an impact on the play out on the field.

Bearing that in mind, we come to the four factors that will decide the outcome of the first Test.

1. Australia’s mental preparation
To say Australia’s preparation for this Test has been disrupted would be an understatement for the ages. There is no conceivable way that the Australian player’s minds have been 100 per cent on cricket leading into this Test, and how it affects them once the first ball has been bowled will be extremely telling.

The grieving process affects people in different ways.

For some, getting back on the field will be a welcome distraction from the sadness in their hearts, and they’ll easily slip back into the muscle memory of batting, bowling and fielding.

For others, cricket is arguably the last thing they should be thinking about, let alone doing. If nothing else, the tragic incident involving Phil Hughes demonstrated how dangerous cricket can be, and that danger is amplified if you’re not mentally focussed.

They say cricket is 90 per cent mental, and knowing the mental state that some of the Australian players will probably be in, it would not be surprising to witness a well below par performance.

Conversely, the Australians may be galvanised and fiercely determined to honour Hughes with a memorable, emotion-charged victory.

2. Australia’s aggression
Yes, it’s been discussed ad nauseam of late, but that doesn’t make it any less of a significant factor. Apart from the aforementioned mental side of the game, the question remains – how will Australia actually play from a style and attitude point-of-view?

A key part of Australia’s resurgence in the last 12 months has been the team’s aggression, spearheaded by the equally resurgent Mitchell Johnson.

Intimidating batsmen with short-pitched thunderbolts has been a hallmark of Johnson’s bowling, and truth be told, his dominant performances have glossed over the fact that Australia’s batting has been brittle and inconsistent, and the other bowlers have struggled to take wickets on a regular basis.

Will Johnson and Australia play with their normal fire, intensity and hostility? Or will the tragic passing of their little mate force a softening in their play?

Which leads us to the real question: can Australia be successful if they’re not playing aggressive cricket?

3. Are India up for this series?
India have earned a reputation for not travelling well, along with not caring about Test cricket.

While both opinions are a little harsh, the memory of their last tour to Australia isn’t a fond one; losing 4-0 despite not even playing at the Gabba, where the pace and bounce would really unsettle their batsmen.

Though they give the indication of being extremely motivated for this series, and there is no doubt that Australia is vulnerable, India have rarely saved their best Test performances for Australian soil.

Yet India’s meek performance against England proves that it’s not just Australian tours where their players struggle to adjust, or indeed, fight.

In that regard, Virat Kohli will be the key. Apart form being a brilliant strokeplayer, he’s one of the few members of the Indian batting squad to have played Tests in Australia and is all too aware of what to expect from the Australian players on the field, and the crowds off it.

He seems to enjoy a little confrontation now and then, and if he can lead from the front, score big runs, and take it to the Aussies, he might inspire and motivate his teammates to perform the same.

4. Michael Clarke’s leadership – and batting
The Australian skipper has had a rough couple of weeks. From a hamstring injury, to a reported rift with Cricket Australia, to the loss of his best mate, and then being the very public figure of Australia’s grief and sadness, Clarke has had an extremely torrid time.

The injury and alleged rift pale in significance to the passing of Hughes, but the injury in particular is pertinent when discussing the First Test, because Australia can ill-afford to be without their captain in the middle order.

Clarke has shown his mettle under difficult circumstances of late, and the team will desperately require his strength of character to lead them through what is sure to be a very difficult game for the Australian team.

What also shouldn’t be overlooked is the team’s need for his batting. Without an in-form Clarke in the middle order, suddenly Australia’s batting line-up looks a little exposed. With the exception of Clarke, and possibly Dave Warner, the rest of the Australian top to middle order would struggle for selection in a World XI team. This highlights just how important the skipper is to the side.

They say statistics can lie, but 27 Test hundreds and 27 more half centuries tell no fibs about Clarke’s class and ability.