Hussey brothers help Australia level series

The Hussey brothers ensured the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy would be decided by Friday's final match in Brisbane after they helped Australia to a six-wicket win that levelled the series 2-2. For the first time in the series New Zealand batted first and they posted a moderate 244, which on a good pitch was not enough against an Australian batting order starting to find form.
The game was to some degree overshadowed by the Victorian bushfire appeal that surrounded it, with contributions from players, sponsors, spectators and administrators totalling just over $6 million. But while Australia had failed to beat South Africa at the same venue on Australia Day, this time they did get over the line at Adelaide on another special, if more sombre, occasion.
Fittingly Michael Hussey brought up the win with a six over long-on, adding another $5000 to the tally after the Commonwealth Bank pledged that amount for every six in the game. It confirmed the win with ten balls to spare but much of the hard work was done by Australia's bowlers, who did well to restrict New Zealand to a middling total.
However, there were a couple of jitters in the Australian camp when Brad Haddin, fresh from a century in Sydney on Sunday and looking good once again, was run out for 43 thanks to an awful call from David Hussey. It left Australia at 3 for 101 in the 25th over and the match was very much in the balance.
The onus was then on the out-of-form Hussey to repay his side with a big innings and he delivered. He struck his highest one-day international score of 79 and combined in a 115-run partnership with his older brother that made sure the required run-rate was never too much more than six.
Importantly Australia made sensible use of the batting Powerplay, which they took with nine overs to go and a further 55 runs required. David Hussey punched the ball confidently through the off-side gaps and although he fell during the five-over period, bowled by an Iain O'Brien yorker, Australia were by then in control and took 37 runs from the Powerplay.
Siddle's appeal
Peter Siddle flew to Adelaide to join the Australia squad for the ODI against New Zealand but could not break into the side to make his debut. Instead, he found another way to occupy his time while his team-mates were on the field.
Siddle was roaming through the crowd collecting money for the Victorian bushfire appeal and there was a personal significance for him. Siddle's family lives in Gippsland, where some of the fires took place, and he said his brother had lost friends to the deadly blaze.
"It's hard to get a word out of him," Siddle said. "He doesn't want to talk about it. It's tough times for everyone."
By the end of the game, the Commonwealth Bank appeal had raised $6,023,643 via a combination of donations from players, spectators and TV viewers, the bank, Cricket Australia, the South Australian Cricket Association and gate receipts.
In his first ODI at his home venue, Callum Ferguson calmly helped Michael Hussey pick off the remaining runs and they got home with ease. Michael Hussey's unbeaten 75 was yet another superb innings - he entered the game with a lowest score of 49 from his past four efforts - and he made New Zealand pay for putting him down twice.
The first was a terribly hard chance when he was on 3 and pulled Daniel Vettori viciously to midwicket, where Martin Guptill just got his fingertips to the ball. But the second opportunity was particularly frustrating for New Zealand as Hussey pulled Grant Elliott hard and flat into the deep, where Craig Cumming spilled what he should have taken. It was not a good return to ODIs after a near four-year absence for Cumming, who had earlier made a duck.
He was not the only one of the New Zealanders who struggled with the bat and they were unsure of the right tempo in setting a target. Chasing is their preferred method and in the past two years they have won nine ODIs batting first compared to 19 batting second. Only a late spike from Ross Taylor and Kyle Mills pushed them to a respectable score after they had stumbled to 6 for 173 in the 42nd over.
Mills added $5000 to the bushfire appeal when his enormous hook off Mitchell Johnson went out of the ground. But it was Taylor who was in charge of the recovery mission and his 76 from 71 balls continued his impressive series.
He was eventually caught top-edging a pull off Johnson, who finished with 3 for 51, and Taylor was one of four New Zealand specialist batsmen who lost their wickets to top-edged hooks and pulls. The extra pace and bounce surprised them and Johnson used it to get rid of Guptill (45) and Elliott (26), while Neil Broom also skied one off Ben Hilfenhaus.
James Hopes was again dangerous with 2 for 37 and Michael Clarke proved an economical spin option. He also removed Brendon McCullum, who passed a late fitness test on his right shoulder and played an uncharacteristically cautious innings of 33 from 55 balls.
Like most of his team-mates, McCullum seemed unsure of how quickly he needed to score batting first and there seems little doubt that at the Gabba on Friday, New Zealand will be keen to chase if given the chance. The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy could depend on it.

India fail to whitewash Sri Lanka, win series 4-1

Sri Lanka stopped India's nine-match winning streak beating them by 68 runs in the fifth and the final One-day International but couldn't stop the visitors from clinching the cricket series 4-1 here Sunday.

Chasing a mammoth target of 321, India were all out for 252 in 48.5 overs after Yuvraj Singh scored a blistering 73 and debutant Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on a fine 60.

The chief architects of Sri Lanka's pride-saving win were Tillekaratne Dilshan (97) and Man of the Match Kumar Sangakkara (84), who helped the hosts get 320 runs on board for the loss of eight wicket.

While chasing the target, India were off to a poor start right from the word go, as Gautam Gambhir (13), Virender Sehwag (6) and Suresh Raina were all back to the pavilion by the ninth over.

Man of the Series Yuvraj Singh (73) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (53) brought some stability to the innings with some smart hitting. Both played in their typical style and freed their arms on both sides of the wicket. At a time when the partnership was looking good, Muttiah Muralitharan took a brilliant catch off his own bowling to get rid of Yuvraj.

Indians paid heavily for failing to build partnerships and the highest was 55 for the seventh wicket between Dhoni and debutant Ravindra Jadeja (60).

Earlier opting to bat, Dilshan held the innings with a well-struck 97 while Sangakkara scored a 70-ball 84 to salvage some pride for Sri Lanka.

Sanath Jayasuriya (37) gave a flying start to Sri Lanka's efforts to prevent the ignominy of a 5-0 whitewash, and Dilshan and Sangakkara played sensible innings to pose a tough challenge for India.

Jayasuriya started his onslaught by hitting Ishant Sharma (3-60) with his trademark clip over mid-wicket. In the young fast bowler's fourth over, Jayasuriya pulled him twice for four over the square leg boundary.

Jayasuriya departed in the 11th over top-edging Irfan Pathan to Suresh Raina. But even after his dismissal, the scoring rate didn't decline as both Dilshan and Sangakkara kept on piling runs at a steady rate and added 143 runs for the second wicket.

The duo frustrated the Indians and forced skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to try out nine bowlers. Comeback man Lakshmipathy Balaji proved expensive and conceded 32 runs from his five overs while debutant Ravindra Jadeja gave away 40 from his six overs.

It took a brilliant effort from Rohit Sharma to get rid of Sangakkara off Yuvraj Singh. Dilshan and Thilan Kadamby (26) kept the scoreboard moving. Rohit was again superb on the field and this time his direct throw stopped Dilshan three runs away from a deserving century.

Windies rout England for 51

West Indies won by an innings and 23 runs

Well, what a breathless, brilliant day of Test cricket for West Indies who win by an innings-and-23-runs. Gayle receives handshakes (and a hug) from Pietersen and then salutes the crowd who, to a man, are standing and applauding this rare win at Sabina Park. It's just pure elation for West Indies out there - almost disbelief.

England, though, are disconsolate. It's their third-lowest Test total (their second-lowest of 46 came here in the Caribbean in 1994) and today their batsmen have lacked application and intent, against Jerome Taylor whose 5 for 11 won't be forgotten for a while.

It's been so long that West Indies' fans have had cause to cheer this long and hard, and the players - who, to be honest, look shell-shocked - are walking around a sun-baked ground to wave to the supporters. An outstanding allround performance from a team which - whisper it - might have turned the corner.

"Now's not the time to be too hasty on these things. We haven't played well. As a batting unit, there's very little positive to come out of this Test. We have to take it on the chin and move on."

Strauss: "We were entirely outplayed by a very good WI side. We've not done outselves justice. Our bowlers stuck to the task well but we batted very, very poorly today and paid the price."

Here's Chris Gayle, with a smile as wide as ever. "Brilliant day. It's come full circle. Sarwan batted really well, Nash batted well and everyone else chipped in. Benn bowled brilliantly, but Taylor picking up five was [superb]. It's good to see our allround cricket improving. The support was tremendous here, as ever. Hopefully we can move on from strength to strength."We'll definitely go for a drink tonight, but we won't over-do it. We'll enjoy it though."

Ponting rushed back to save Oz blushes

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has been rushed back from a break in a bid to save the hosts from a humiliating series defeat at home to New Zealand.
Ponting was allowed a break in the middle of the series against touring New Zealand after Australia lost the opening limited overs encounter. The decision had invited widespread criticism from the former greats of the sport loving nation.
Michael Clarke was told to lead the team in his absence. However, a loss to the Kiwis on Friday in Melbourne in the second of the five-match series put the hosts in the danger of losing the series if New Zealand with a 2-0 lead, manage one victory in rest three games.
Australia will take on New Zealand in Sydney on Sunday. The hosts were restricted to 181 in Perth in the opening match and 225 for five from 50 overs in Melbourne. According to a report published in an Australia website, Ponting has been called back to bolster the depleted Australian batting attack.
Australia loss on Friday moved India one spot up in the world ODI rankings to number two as the Aussies were pushed down to number three.

ICC ODI Championship

Team Matches Points Rating
South Africa 34 4245 125
India 45 5487 122
Australia 35 4241 121
New Zealand 29 3389 117
Pakistan 31 3446 111
England 32 3469 108
Sri Lanka 42 4336 103
West Indies 27 2463 91
Bangladesh 38 1731 46
Zimbabwe 32 736 23
Ireland 10 190 19
Kenya 12 0 0

India in Sri Lanka 2008-09

The plan is simple, the results impressive

In early 2008, RP Singh spoke of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy. "Sometimes in ODIs, since Dhoni is behind the wicket, you don't get to communicate that often. The nature of the format means you don't change your plans too much. There are generally just two spells to be bowled," he had said. "So under Dhoni, you execute what you have already decided off the field and when you change, he would come running to you and discuss."
Nearly a year later, Dhoni has been running to Ishant Sharma during match situations almost pleading with his bowler to bowl to a plan and to set fields, and to experiment only within those parameters. This is the mantra Dhoni has been harping on since he became captain.
Strait-jacketing a bowler within a pre-determined plan might seem like killing his creativity but Dhoni sees it just as sticking to a method and being disciplined. According to him, the plan is drawn up before a game in conjunction with the bowler and thus allows for the creativity to flourish as a part of the system; he is simply against making an impromptu decision on the fly. "It's better to have a plan - may be a bad plan - in mind than be confused," Dhoni said. "When you are the top of the bowling mark, you need to have one clear thought of where to bowl.
"If you are going to bowl a slower one, then you need a deep midwicket, not a third man," Dhoni said after the second ODI. He wanted better clarity of thought from Ishant, who took the most wickets but was expensive in the Powerplay in that game.
In the absence of Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni has relied on his fast bowlers to take wickets. And in the era of the batting Powerplays, especially on flat tracks and without your specialist spinner, the role of a fast bowler becomes critical.
Ishant knows what he has to do and where he is going wrong. "I get to bowl three or four overs at the start and then I have to come again and bowl in the Powerplay," he said today. "You just have to stick to your fields. I don't have to do too many experiments."
Ishant has seven wickets at an average 26.14, second to the left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, but it has come at an economy rate of 6.10. That is the highest for an Indian bowler to have bowled over seven overs in the series.
Ishant, who likes to hit the deck and derive pace off the track, has struggled a bit on the sluggish pitches. "Bowling has been difficult as the ball does not come on. It's not a big thing," he said. "The Indian wickets are similar and I am learning to bowl in all conditions. Zaheer [Khan] advises us in the nets and even during matches. When I am struggling or not bowling well in the game, he comes and tells me what to do."
When you are winning everything, the team spirit does tend to be exaggerated. But there are some pleasant signs that have been a constant feature in the series. Zaheer has constantly talked with Ishant in the nets and during the games. Venkatesh Prasad, India's bowling coach, has been intensively working with all the bowlers in the practice sessions. During practice Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have been suggesting to the bowlers on where they are going wrong and what lines to bowl.
In the middle, the captain has led by example. Dhoni got out in the 90s in the last game, going for the big shot and he explained it thus: "There was a ball change in the 34th over and we had to take the second Powerplay as well. So I thought one of the batsmen had to quickly get his hundred and capitalise in the Powerplay." Even cynics will have to admit that that there is at least clarity of thought and a sense of purpose in the ranks. Every one appears to know what their role in the team is. Not for nothing are India ranked No. 2 in the official ICC rankings.
The doubters will say that the hard job is sustain over a period of time - year after year, month after month, day after day, spell after spell, ball after ball. India is looking at it in the other way - Do it ball after ball and the rest will follow. An interesting 2009 lies ahead of us.

India's aim is No. 1, says Kirsten

Gary Kirsten has said that India's goal in 2009 is to be the No. 1 team in the world. India's coach, who has received praise from many in the Indian team, felt the side's biggest improvement in recent times was the way they prepared for a game.
Following Australia's loss to New Zealand in the second ODI at the MCG, India have moved to second place in the ICC's official ODI rankings. "Getting to No. 1 is the obvious goal for this year," said Kirsten, "but it's not playing too much on our minds. To do that, it's important for the basics to be right. We are just trying to focus on taking it game by game and series by series. The team ethic is great. Everyone is preparing really well for a game and we are moving in the right direction."
Today's was an optional nets session at the R Premadasa, and the attendees included Sachin Tendulkar, L Balaji, Irfan Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja. Tendulkar batted for 45 minutes and was constantly chatting with the bowlers on the correct line to bowl. Venkatesh Prasad, India's bowling coach, spent lots of time with Irfan, primarily working on his length. Tendulkar even bowled to Jadeja and passed some tips now and then to the young allrounder.
Irfan's form has been a concern for India. Given the new ball in the last game - his only appearance on tour so far - Irfan ended up with 3 for 58 from seven overs; his first spell read 5-0-42-1 as Sanath Jayasuriya went after him. India have been using their slow bowlers in the middle overs, retaining the seamers for the Powerplays.
Kirsten had earlier said the lack of an allrounder who bowls seam had forced the team to take that route, and he felt it had been a bit difficult for Irfan as he has been in and out of the team. "I really can't comment after just one game," said Kirsten. "He [Irfan] is working hard in the nets. He has a good work ethic and hopefully will get the rewards for it."
To be the No. 1 team in the world, Kirsten said that India would have to dominate the opposition consistently. It was something that Gautam Gambhir also stressed upon, while talking about the dead-rubber game at this same venue on February 8. "When you playing for your country you can't take any game lightly," he said. "It's going to be a fantastic achievement if we can make it 5-0. You want to be a part of the team which is creating this history.
"You can't just think that you have won the series 4-0 and be complacent for the next game. It doesn't happen with us. When you go onto the field you go to win and not just compete. Great teams are those that carry the momentum forward into every game."
India have won the series and the final match is to be played at the R Premadasa as well.

2009 IPL AUCTION

List of players sold (base price in brackets; all numbers in US$)

Shaun Tait to Rajasthan Royals 375,000 (250,000)

JP Duminy to Mumbai Indians 950,000 (300,000)

Andrew Flintoff to Chennai Super Kings 1.55 million (950,000)

Kevin Pietersen to Bangalore Royal Challengers 1.55 million (1.35 million)

Fidel Edwards to Deccan Chargers 150,000 (150,000)

Owais Shah to Delhi Daredevils 275,000 (150,000)

Paul Collingwood to Delhi 275,000 (250,000)

Tyron Henderson to Rajasthan 650,000 (100,000)

Ravi Bopara to Kings XI Punjab 450,000 (150,000)

Thilan Thushara to Chennai 140,000 (100,000)

Jesse Ryder to Bangalore 160,000 (100,000)

Kyle Mills to Mumbai 150,000 (150,000).

Dwayne Smith to Deccan Chargers 100,000 (100,000)

Jerome Taylor to Punjab 150,000 (150,000)

Mohammad Ashraful to Mumbai 75,000 (75,000)

Mashrafe Mortaza to Kolkata Knight Riders 600,000 (50,000)

George Bailey to Chennai 50,000 (50,000)

Unsold players: Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Chamara Kapugedara, Ashwell Prince, Phil Jaques, Andre Nel, Luke Wright, Nuwan Kulasekara, Samit Patel, Shakib Al Hasan, Morne van Wyk, Steven Smith, Ashley Noffke, Gulam Bodi, Daren Powell, Tamim Iqbal, Jon Moss, Bryce McGain, James Franklin, Aiden Blizzard, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Michael Klinger, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dominic Thornley, Yusuf Abdulla, Daniel Harris, Kemar Roach, Aaron Bird, Michael Dighton, Michael Hill and Brett Geeves.

INDIA-AUSTRALIA SERIES

So the Indian selectors have decided to stick to the tried and tested team which has done Indian cricket proud in recent times. The five-wise men gave former captain Sourav Ganguly a new lease of life by including him in the 15-man squad.

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A straight interpretation of including Ganguly in the XV means that he is a certain starter for the Bangalore Test.

Had Ganguly been dropped from the squad, it would have meant one of either - Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Subramaniam Badrinath or Rohit Sharma would have occupied that slot – that would have meant the Aussies would have one less experienced player to contend with. By including Ganguly, the Indian selectors have not only fielded a trusted performer, but they’ve also thrust at the Australians a player with 109 Test caps and over a decade of experience. This is the last thing the Australians, who are traveling with a vastly inexperienced team, wanted.

Given we now have the men who will do duty for both the teams, let’s look at how they match up head-to-head, individual-to-individual.

Matthew Hayden vs Virender Sehwag
Both attacking players, and both capable of winning matches on their own for their teams. Hayden has been a consistent performer, but if Sehwag gets going, he is simply devastating. Both camps have identified these two individuals as the dangermen. Venkatesh Prasad, the Indian bowling coach had said, “We have to get Matthew Hayden early because he is a kind of batsman who has scored all over the world. In the past, Hayden has done well in the sub-continent and so his wicket will be important", while Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Wednesday said, “Sehwag is a key player and he is dangerous once he gets in.”

Scoreline: Australia 1, India 1

Phil Jaques vs Gautam Gambhir
Both relatively inexperienced, strikingly similar, but silent performers. Both batsmen are in good nick; Gambhir was one of the two Indian performers in the Test series in Sri Lanka, while Jaques, after an indifferent start to his last Test series against the West Indies, finished it off in style – scoring 108 in the final Test at Barbados.

Scoreline: Australia 2, India 2

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Ricky Ponting vs Sachin Tendulkar
The men on whom most of the discussions in the forthcoming Test series will be based upon. Both are vastly experienced, and both veterans of over 100 Test matches.

One will have to consider Tendulkar as coming up trumps in this battle, primarily because he is playing at home, and at venues where he has performed admirably in the past. Barring Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla, where he averages 44, the little master averages in excess of 50 at the other three venues. Tendulkar’s is a wicket the Aussies will value most.

Ponting had recently said, “I have the highest regard for him. Sachin is a true champion, one of the all-time greats of the game…..But we are here to win and know pretty well that we have to get rid of him early if we are to win here. We have come here with a few plans for him and hope our plans would click.”

Aussie speedster Brett Lee said, “He is a world class player who has proved himself over more than a decade. You talk about [Don] Bradman, you talk about Lara, Sachin and probably Ricky...It's an honour to bowl to Sachin and getting his wicket is the ultimate prize.”

Ponting, on the other hand, has a dismal record in India, and is under immense pressure to set his record right. He said, “There is a bit of a void in my international career here in India, there's no doubt about that…..I'll work really hard for the next week and a bit to make sure I'm as good as I can be come first Test time and hopefully I can turn things around there, it's all in my hands, I know what I have to do to have success here.”

Scoreline: Australia 2, India 3

Michael Hussey vs Rahul Dravid
Two men, who have been huge contributors to their team’s successes in recent years, but have been passing through an indifferent time recently.

Hussey once boasted of Bradmenesque averages; after his first 18 Test matches, he had a batting average of 86.18, but since then, his average has come crashing down to 68.38. He hasn’t scored a hundred in his five Test matches, and averages a dismal 22.78 from those five matches. However, being a good player of spin, he will be confident of getting back to his run scoring ways.

Dravid too has been passing through a lean patch. The former India captain too hasn’t scored a hundred in his last five Tests; in this period he has scored 215 runs at an average of 23.89 and found it difficult even in home-like conditions in Sri Lanka. However, Dravid can be expected to come out all guns blazing – the first Test will be played on his home ground in Bangalore, and he then moves on to the remaining three venues where he averages close to 60.

Scoreline: Australia 3, India 4

Michael Clarke vs VVS Laxman
Two men who have a special liking for each other’s teams.

Clarke has a special place for India in his heart; it was here in India, and at Bangalore where the first Test will be played, that he scored a century on debut. Since then, he has gone on to greater heights; he is now the vice-captain of the Australian team and one of the most reliable performers with the bat. One of the better players of spin in the Australian team, Clarke will be expected to play big innings on this tour.

Laxman too has a special liking for the Australians – it is not for no reason that he is identified by the Australians as ‘Very Very Special’ Laxman. The man who scripted a famous turnaround of fortunes in the Calcutta Test match of 2001, Laxman has scored nine of his eighteen hundreds against the Aussies. A free-flowing stroke-maker, Laxman likes the ball coming onto the bat, and the Australian attack might just suit him perfectly.

Scoreline – Australia 4, India 5

Shane Watson vs Sourav Ganguly
Not the ideal head-to-head one would think, but this is where the Australian combination starts to stutter. Had Andrew Symonds been present in the Australian line-up, then he would have batted at number six – and that would have matched up to Sourav Ganguly on the Indian side. But Watson, though he is an exceptional allrounder, isn’t in the same league as Symonds just yet. Though Watson’s numbers in first-class cricket are exceptional, he is yet to stamp his authority in Test cricket. His last Test appearance was in November 2005, and one will have to wait and see how he copes with the demanding Indian conditions. His inexperience, coupled with his vulnerability against spin, means the Aussies will be on the backfoot in this match-up.

Although he is not in the greatest of forms, Ganguly’s inclusion means India will have a fighter-to-the-core batting at number five. His fighting abilities helped India beat South Africa in a Test match at Kanpur earlier this year, and it was the same ‘never-give-up’ mentality that saw him become India’s leading run scorer in 2007, after making a comeback in the Test tour of South Africa.

Further, Ganguly is a proven performer when the chips are down. Add to this the fact that he is one of the players the Australians love to hate; he brings a distinct character to this Indian team.

Scoreline: Australia 4, India 6

Brad Haddin vs MS Dhoni
Two flamboyant young men, one who has already established himself in international cricket, while the other is still trying to find his feet. Dhoni’s experience at the international level can be equated with Haddin’s exploits in domestic cricket. Both are safe wicketkeepers and equally good behind the stumps.

Scoreline – Australia 5, India 7

Jason Krejza vs Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh takes this duel hands down. His attitude, his liking for the Australians, playing in Indian conditions, his current form, and his past record – career and against the Aussies – makes Krejza no match for the Indian Sardar.

Krejza, who will be making his Test debut at Bangalore, has already started playing mind games. Known to be a big turner of the ball, Krejza recently disregarded the Indian batsmen’s ability to dominate spin. He said, “I am confident that I can come over here and be successful, that is why I targeted this tour. If I can spin it hard and get it in the right areas, get a few big wickets, that would be great. I'm not intimidated, because bowling to our guys, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting and the others, it isn't much different. They treat spinners as Indians do, very, very aggressively. I have confidence that I've got the skills to do it."

Scoreline – Australia 5, India 8

Who? vs Anil Kumble
Never in the recent past has there been so much uncertainty in the Australian set up. The Aussies, the number one ranked team in the world, have generally had a settled team – and players in the fringes have only had their opportunity when someone has suffered an injury or in similar circumstances.

Whoever the match up to Kumble be, there’s no question that he would win that contest hands down. The captain of the Indian team, India’s leading wicket taker in Test cricket, India’s most successful match winner, and an enviable record against Australia in India – do we need to say more?

Mitchell Johnson and Douglas Bollinger are said to be prime contenders for this slot in the Australian team – both left arm seamers, barely experienced if anything, and they will not only have to battle the Indian conditions, but also a star-studded batting line up.

Scoreline: Australia 5, India 9

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Brett Lee vs Zaheer Khan
A very close contest this one – both men leading the bowling attack, and a lot will be expected of both of them.

Lee is a proven match-winner and has shown significant signs of maturity and leadership qualities since the retirements of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Tough inexperienced when it comes to playing Test cricket in India, Lee knows Indian conditions well through his one-day international appearances and his stint in the Indian Premier League. Lee has said he was looking forward to his first Test in India; he said, “Yes, there will be great lot of pressure on me. But I enjoy the pressure. I am looking forward to the challenge. We have our task cut out. I might not have played a Test here but have the experience of playing in twenty20 and one-day matches.”

Zaheer Khan, on the other hand has relatively lesser pressure. With the likes of Kumble and Harbhajan in the team, Zaheer’s main job will be to give the team early breakthroughs. He has been a consistent performer for India in recent times, and bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad has said Zaheer will be a vital cog in India’s plans. He said, “He (Zaheer) is somebody who has played a lot of cricket in India and abroad and has a lot of experience. He can move the ball in both directions and would play a vital role in our bowling department.”

Scoreline: Australia 6, India 10

Stuart Clark vs Ishant Sharma
Different types of bowlers, with different types of responsibilities.

Australia, in the past, have used Stuart Clark in the role of a stock bowler. However, on this tour of India, where the conditions are going to be tough, Clark will be expected to share the wicket-taking responsibilities with Brett Lee. He will be expected to bowl long spells, keep the runs in check and also pick up wickets regularly. This 6.5 feet tall fast bowler will also be expected to extract some reverse swing from the dry Indian pitches.

Ishant Sharma – a bowler who the Aussies will remember for that spectacular series in Australia, and in particular that one terrific spell to the Australian captain at Perth. He can bowl quick, can bowl long spells, and the Indians will be expecting him to get breakthroughs at regular intervals. Sharma should relish playing at Nagpur and Mohali, which have generally aided swing bowling, while he should know the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium – his home ground - like the back of his hand.