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Bangalore Battle Begins

BANGALORE — The first Test between India and Australia is all set to begin in Bangalore on Thursday.

The Australian cause is weakened by the lack of quality spinners who are crucial for a Test triumph in India.

The Indian squad too have problems aplenty with their ageing batting line-up struggling to script successes consistently.

With both sides having their own cup of woes, the battle for supremacy promises to be an engrossing affair.

Khaleej Times takes a look at the strengths, weaknesses and five key players from both teams.

Australia

India is one of the places where even the fancied Australian teams, including the one led by Steve Waugh, stumbled several times. The current one touring India don’t have the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn — the key players who were instrumental in Australia’s 2-1 triumph over India four years ago. Still the world champions are the best in business when the chips are down.

Strengths

Australia have a well balanced side — a formidable batting line-up, a good pace attack and excellent fielders.

They have the advantage of playing the first Test in Bangalore, where they hold a good record. During their last tour to India four years ago, the pace trio of McGrath, Gillespie and Michael Kasprowiz together claimed 15 wickets for a 217-run victory.

This time too, the combination of Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson could expect assistance from Bangalore’s bouncy track.

The batting line-up comprising Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich is good enough to demolish any attack.

Weaknesses

Even the legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne didn’t have a terrific record in India, except for a good series in 2004.

On the Indian wickets conducive for spinners, the current Aussie side don’t have experienced spinners to take advantage of the conditions.

In the Hyderabad tour match, Indian Board President’s XI batsmen played Australian spinner Jason Krejza with conviction and ease.

Considering their lack of quality spinners, Australia might even opt for an all-out pace attack, pinning hopes on the part-time spin options of Simon Katich and Michael Clarke, who took six wickets on a crumbling Mumbai pitch in 2004.

If the Indians decide to go for turning tracks suiting their spinners, Australia is in for big trouble.

Key players

Ricky Ponting: The Australian captain has an outstanding average of 58.36 in his career, but his average in India is quite pathetic: 12.28 from eight Tests.

But Ponting, who has an overall average of 49.06 against India, is determined to change his poor record this time.

His start at least is promising, as he had a good outing, scoring 41 and 58, against the Indian Board President’s XI in Hyderabad.

Matthew Hayden: The intimidating opener relishes facing the Indian attack as he averages 66.16 against India, much higher than his career average of 53.51. He has already scored 1654 runs, with six hundreds and 50s each, against India. Though he would miss fellow opener Justin Langer now, the likely replacement, Simon Katich, too has a good record against India, averaging 52.41 from 14 innings.

If the openers could give a flying start, Australia are in for a delightful time.

Michael Clarke: The stylish middle-order batsman has the flair and technique to quell the challenge of spinners.

His record against India is also excellent as he averages an impressive 51.14, higher than his career average of 47.06.

Interestingly, his average in India is even better: 57.14. Clarke, who scored two hundreds and four 50s against India, is a useful spinner as well, taking 10 wickets against the hosts with his best figures reading six for nine.

Michael Hussey: His ability to play spinners effectively could be handy for Australia.

Hussey too has a good record against India — an average of 48.66 from seven innings — though he plays a Test series in India for the first time. In the Hyderabad tour match, he scored a magnificent century in the first innings.

Brett Lee: The Indian wickets might not be conducive for fast bowlers, but Lee with his genuine pace could be quite handy. Last summer, during the Indian tour Down Under, he was the man of the series for his 24 wickets.

His record against Indians is also quite impressive: 45 wickets from eight matches, including two five-wicket hauls. With Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark to back him and reverse swing an option, Lee has the potential to turn the tables in Australia’s favour.

India

There won’t be much surprise if India win the series, because on home conditions, they are always a formidable side.

Though they crumbled in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, the Indian batsmen could look forward to a good outing as the Austrialian squad don’t have the likes of a Ajantha Mendis or Muthiah Muralitharan in their ranks.

Strengths

At least on paper, India have a superior batting line-up comprising the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, V.V.S. Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, M.S. Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir. India have a clear advantage in the choice of spinners too.

Both Indian captain Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh have a great record on the Indian spinning tracks.

Unlike in the past, the Indian pace attack — including Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma — too is a force to reckon with. Besides, India hold the home advantage.

Weaknesses

Indian fielding is a big concern as its standard has gone down drastically in the recent series.

Australia, on the other hand, hold a definite advantage here. India’s famed batsmen came a cropper against the Sri Lankan sensation Ajantha Mendis in the recent series.

The form of middle order is also a cause for concern as their once mainstay Dravid and Tendulkar have been struggling for runs.

Key Players

Virender Sehwag: He may not have the technical perfection that pleases a purist, but is one of the most devastating players in Test cricket now.

If he and Gautam Gambhir, who is in good form, could provide a good start, the game should well be over for the Aussies.

Australia’s chances for success in the series lie with the way they would tackle the opening partnership, especially Sehwag.

He too has a very good record against Australia, scoring 1559 runs at an average of 53.90 as against a career average of 52.62.

He smashed three hundreds and four 50s with his highest score being 195.

Sachin Tendulkar: He may be past his prime. He may not have much success in the recent series in Lanka.

He may have injury concerns. Still, he is the best bet against Australia as the little master has always played well against the world champions.

With the Australian bowling not lethal as it used to be, the master blaster might find the occasion ideal to surpass the world record (most number of runs in Test cricket) of Brian Lara with ease. In the 25 Tests he played against Australia, Tendulkar scored 2352 runs at an average of 56 – better than his career average of 54.23 – with nine 100s and nine 50s.

VVS Laxman: He is one of the few Indian batsmen who had to perform always to retain his place in the side.

Laxman is the only batsmen among the Fabulous Four who did a decent job (average 43) in the Sri Lankan tour.

Though he has a career average of 43.79, it shoots up to 50.63 against Australia. From 20 Tests he has amassed 1823 runs, including five hundreds and eight 50s. His magnificent 281 in Kolkata seven years ago denied Steve Waugh’s ‘invincible’ Australians a chance to conquer the “final frontier”. After the 2003-04 tour Down Under, the Australians themselves admitted that they did not know where to bowl to him.

Anil Kumble: He remains India’s best bet to win at home and his record against Australia is impressive: 108 wickets at an average of 28.51, including 10 five-wicket and two ten-wicket hauls. With all venues, except his home ground Bangalore, expected to assist the spinners, the skipper is confident to guide his team to glory.

Harbhajan Singh: If Ricky Ponting has to improve his Test record in India, he has to master playing Bhaaji better. From 11 Tests, he has bagged 64 Aus

tralian wickets at an average of 28.81, including seven five-wicket and three 10-wicket hauls.

It remains to be seen whether the ‘Turbanator’ could reproduce the magic he created by taking 32 Australian wickets, including the first Test hat-trick by an Indian, from three Tests in 2001.

If he does, then Sehwag’s hopes for 3-1 triumph over Australia could well be a reality.

Surprises

Cricket itself is a game of surprises. So don’t be surprised if any of the other players came up with an outstanding performance to tilt the balance in their side’s favour.

From the Indian side, Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Dhoni and Gambhir are capable of upsetting the Australian strategy. With Ganguly set to retire after the series, he will be more determined to make a big impact in his farewell series. This is also a make or break series for Dravid, as he would be under tremendous pressure to retain his place if he encountered another failure.

Both Gambhir (two innings and four runs) and Dhoni (four Tests; 17.62 average) haven’t played too many Tests against Australia and this series will provide them an opportunity to make a mark.

Though Australia’s new wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is no Adam Gilchrist, he is quite an effective dasher against the spinners.

Allrounder Shane Watson too is a handy player and his success in the Indian Premier League matches could boost his Test entry.

Similarly, pacers Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson could upset Kumble’s plans in favourable conditions.

pradeep@khaleejtimes.com