Australia vs India Preview
For cricket lovers around the world, this test series should ensure that you spend some quality time with your couch and TV over the next few weeks. First of all, it's test cricket which gets me excited - just a sniff of test cricket gets my head in a spin but it's also going to be some bloody intense test cricket. Both Australia and India have some of the finest test players in the world and they're going to be walking out in to cricketing cauldrons, such is the nature of cricket in Australia at this time of year.
It goes without saying that this is going to be a tough series emotionally, but the show must go on. Australia are in a position where they have strong personalities and leaders throughout their squad. It's not just Michael Clarke, this is an Australian side filled with experienced test cricketers who epitomise Aussie cricket. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh may not be household names, but the rest of the squad reads like a list of cricketers you'd hate to play against.
Hazlewood has earned his call up to the test squad, but it's hard to see him getting a start as the Aussies will churn out the grown-man-super-pro bowling attack of Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle. With Shane Watson and Mitch Marsh in the side, there's plenty of bowling and Nathan Lyon as well as Steve Smith will offer some spin. Please don't expect the Australians to put away the short ball, because it will be used. I'm eager to see Siddle in Aussie conditions, he looked quick and strong in the U.A.E and if he and Harris are nipping the ball off the seam at 140km/h then things will get interesting. Especially in partnership with Johnson, it's easy to see Australia not letting up their aggressive approach as Johnson will be firing thunderbolts down and then you have to deal with Harris and Siddle hitting the top of off stick consistently.
With the willow, Michael Clarke's hammy may not be good enough for the start. That would mean Shaun Marsh coming in, which isn't that great a loss when Clarke's form is considered. Two names to note are David Warner and Steve Smith. Warner has efficiently become one of the world's best test match openers, while Smith is just hot with runs dripping from his unique batting style. Australia will need runs from their other lads though, notably Watson. All these guys score runs at a swift rate and if they're in form, they could score quickly and put India on the back foot.
India will likely be on the back foot for much of the series. Australia will come hard and have the options to attack consistently, even if India are 300/1. India present a low key threat with their pace bowling stocks, which is the big thing to watch with this Indian side. Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav form one of the best pace bowling groups I've seen from India and there's good depth. However, they could equally crumble at the hands of a relentless Aussie side or they could take the Aussies by storm. Only Sharma has really experienced multiple tours to Australia (Yadav broke out on a tour of Aus), so they lack specific experience but they're good - quick enough, seam, swing and they all offer something different.
I reckon Ravi Ashwin will have to wait for a spinning track to get his chance, as Ravi Jadeja has been the go to man with his reliably accurate left arm tweakers. They can both bat so that doesn't really matter, but I have a hunch that on wickets that offer more for the pace bowlers, Jadeja will get the run. If it's a turner, just slide Ashwin in for one of the seamers.
Mention the Niche Cache and get 20% off most cricket gear at Sports First
Last time India were in this part of the world was against the Black Caps in New Zealand, which isn't exactly a hostile place to play cricket. They're super talented and will enjoy the extra pace and bounce, I'm not too sure if they'll enjoy the environment though. They'll be put under huge pressure from the Australians who will attack with the ball and with field placements - they'll probably give them a good chirping as well. However, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane all strike you as fighters, players who combine sublime skill with the virtues of test cricket batsmenship.
The key is Cheteshwar Pujara, who was non-existent in India's last test outing against England. This is a man who averages 49 odd but averaged 22.20 against England, if he's back amongst the runs then India will have a much more solid look to them. The Indian openers, which will likely be Dhawan and Murali Vijay could find themselves struggling to handle the new ball and having Pujara in good stoic form will give India a huge boost.
There's the possibility that neither Clarke or MS Dhoni play in the first test which would suck, they're two leaders who are integral to their team's performance. I wouldn't mind seeing what the alternatives though, that would give the first test a whole new story line.
For the series, I reckon Australia will take it 2-1. But I'm a neutral so I don't really care, the cricket that's going to be played is going to be awesome - tough, dangerous, skillful, chirpy, mentally draining and fun. It's going to be bloody fun to watch!