Every cricketer plays each Test to win, but when you're 2-0 up in a series you have earned the right to pick and choose your moments, to dictate proceedings and watch on as your opposition try chase a result. Despite rain in Melbourne messing up the script, meaning that the Boxing Day Test would end in a draw, we were treated to many performances and mini stories to enjoy.

It came as a bit of a shock when Steve Smith was dismissed, caught at leg slip off the bowling of Umesh Yadav. Smith's been in a fine run of form and his first innings 192 was even more evidence that this kid with the slightly funky technique has found his feet in Test cricket. Such is the form of Smith that we expect him to score and such is the way of Australian cricket that people are only able to discuss how shit Shane Watson is, or how Brad Haddin needs runs, or how Chris Rogers is always on the brink of being dropped.

All three of these lads got 50's in the first innings, supporting Smith and doing their job yet still questions remain, especially about Watson. Simply put, as long as Mitchell Marsh is injured, Shane Watson will play as he's Australia's best all rounder by quite some distance. And when Marsh returns, I don't think it's a case of those two competing for a spot unless either of them has a massive slump while the other is going nuts with runs and wickets. I think we must look at how Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh have and did perform/ed as we take for granted the fact that the next tier in Australian cricket are awesome and destined to succeed. Burns failed in both innings which isn't a big deal as he was batting out of position and it was his first test, while Marsh has largely inconsistent in his international cricket career. Marsh was unlucky to be run out on 99, but he'll need to get some major runs if he is to keep Michael Clarke out of the Test side.

That's where you have to change your angle slightly on Watson, someone has to be performing better than him. Joe Burns has to perform to keep Mitch Marsh out, Shaun Marsh has to perform to keep Clarke out and so on. If Darren Lehmann is going to make a change, he would probably slide Burns up to 3 and release a bit of pressure on Watson by moving him down the order. The fourth and final Test in Sydney matters, but it's also a good opportunity to see what Burns and Shaun Marsh are capable of because they're in the side thanks to injuries, with injured players likely to return at some stage.

The fourth and final Test in Sydney matters, but it's also a good opportunity for Virat Kohli to lead the Indians, with a clear future laid out in front of him. He captained the side in Adeladie, but the future was foggy, now he has a chance to lay the foundations of King Kohli.

Congratulations @msdhoni on your test career! We all know ur captaincy skills but 200 at chennai was one of ur best May God bless u
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 30, 2014

The retirement of MS Dhoni is perfect. It was done in typical Dhoni style but it gives the Indians a small window to figure out how this Dhoni-less-Test-cricket thing is going to work.

The fourth and final Test in Sydney matters, but there won't be as much pressure on the Indians thanks to the series score and because they're starting fresh in a sense. They won't play another Test for a while after leaving the SCG, so they have to start life after Dhoni asap and allow Kohli an opportunity to do his thing.

Cricket Nerd Thoughts

Ryan Harris oozes Dingo cricketer. His 74 with the bat in the first innings showcased his ability but Harris has quickly emerged as a world class bowler taking 111 wickets at an average of 22.77.
One of the last major decisions Dhoni made as captain was to promote Lokesh Rahul up the order, pushing Cheteshwar Pujara down the order. Promote a pinch hitter and save up someone who can save an innings later in the day, good lookin' Dhoni.
Unfortunately for Pujara, he can't buy a run beyond the 30 that he seems to score on the regular. I don't think it's any coincidence that India are 2-0 and Pujara along with Shikhar Dhawan have struggled to put a complete innings together. With Murali Vijay having a reasonable series, the Aussies are generally taking top order wickets just as India are looking to be going along nicely. That's gotta mess with your confidence.
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane on the other hand, the both scored big hundy's in the first innings but it was the manner of their runs that caught the eye - pure stroke play. They attack, they like to see the scoreboard tick over and love to see the ball scoot along to the boundary as most middle order batsmen around the world also like to do. The issue is those above them, if Kohli and Rahane were coming in with 200 or 300 already in the book then India would be semi unstoppable.
The slight slump of David Warner is interesting, not because it's happening as all batsmen are on the rollercoaster but because his opening partner is picking up the slack. If you're going to loose an opener early, best case scenario is that you only loose one of them and Chris Rogers is ensuring that the Indians have to continue to fight hard for a top order wicket after gaining some momentum with an early wicket.
I'd keep an eye on how each team is selected for the SCG. The Aussies have named Ashton Agar in their squad to ensure that they're prepared for a bit of turn, as well as offering a leftie who can turn the ball away from the mainly right handed batting line up.
It'll be interesting to see whether the Aussies rotate their fast bowling stocks and if Agar is selected, who gets the cut.
The Indians, well trying to pick their bowling line up is a guessing game but Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami bowled pretty well in Melbourne. Varun Aaron waits in the wings but if it's a turner in Sydney, well that will make things very interesting as India love a bit of spin.
The SCG Test will be an emotional battle as the cricketing world remembers Phillip Hughes, with the SCG being the last place Hughes swung his blade of willow. It's going to be a special occasion, I'm sure it will be a celebration of not only the life of Hughes, but the spirit of cricket in Australia and the world.