One Day International Series – Australia keen to continue good fortunes against India
by Juris Graney
Futures Series Odds
Australia vs India
Saturday, October 24, 10pm
Australia –120
India –110
Most countries fear travelling to the sub-continent to play India; it is one of the toughest tours in the international calendar.
The vitriolic crowds, the low playing spin friendly wickets and a home team which grows an extra foot playing in front of their fans all add to an environment of sheer discomfort for touring teams.
All except Australia, who since the turn of the century have led the way in One-Day Internationals (ODI) in India.
Their last seven match series in 2007 saw Australia win four matches with one no-result. They also won the 2003 TVS Cup featuring India and New Zealand, their winning streak going back to 2001 when they won a tight series 3-2.
Australia’s watershed mark came back in 1998 when they won the Pepsi Triangular Series featuring India and Zimbabwe but going any further back in the history books than this or even their last winning series is irrelevant. Too much time has passed, too many players have come and gone.
Away from India and Australia has also shown a dominance winning the 2003 series comfortably 3-1 with the same winning margin in 2001.
After regaining their world number one ranking by winning the Champions Trophy in South Africa last month, Australia will want to build momentum and establish a point’s lead at the top of the International Cricket Council rankings to reclaim their world dominating ways of the past.
This seven match series, which starts on Sunday at Vadodara, will however be a chance for the visitors to introduce new players to the international arena.
The team that won the last series is a vastly different one to the team that will take to the sweat-dripped fields this time around.
A quick scan of Australia’s batting line-up from the first match of the 2007 series reads like a who’s who of Australian cricket – Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Brad Haddin.
None of those names are there this time around, two retirements, two injuries and one massive brain fart means Australia’s top order is vastly different.
Australia has a chance to foster their world dominating aura that took a dent following a host of retirements in the past couple of years. The new breed are doing their part to creating a new winning mentality that will in turn create that winning arrogance we have come to love and loath about a winning Australian team.
A 6-1 series win over England plus the Champions Trophy in the past two months is a good start to that dynasty.
The squad:
Ricky Ponting (c): Punter has had a small break between Champions Trophy and this series with his state team Tasmania not included in the recent Champions League Twenty20 tournament. Missed the first two matches of the last winning series against India in India but 25, 29, 39no, 49 and 57 were all solid returns. Was in sublime form during the Champions Trophy success. Loves the sub-continent conditions.
Michael Hussey (vc): Huss has never faced India at home in an ODI, his average however in his 10 outings against the sub-continent’s tour de force, is 54 with a top score of 67. Some in cricket circles called for Hussey’s head with a string of low scores leading up to the Champions Trophy but they are the same people that also believe in unicorns and leprechauns and have a belief that we care what they think, which we of course don’t.
Doug Bollinger: Dougy had a great Champions League series for NSW and is completely acclimatised to the sub-continent’s conditions. The left arm quick could cause damage against India. Fingers crossed however that he doesn’t get interviewed on the TV too often, unless of course you have small children that you want to go to sleep. Has played just three ODI but took 5/35 off 7.5 overs against Pakistan in just his second match. Not bad.
Nathan Hauritz: As Australia’s front line spinner, expect Hauritz to bowl a lot of overs. As a cricket fan, I’m hoping he doesn’t.
Ben Hilfenhaus: Word has it that there is a big push to make The Hilf Australia’s new Prime Minister, his popularity evident by Australia’s men wearing all sorts of strange and bizarre facial hair in honour of the Hilf’s contribution to style. Was Australia’s best bowler during the Ashes.
Jon Holland: Never heard of this kid until I saw the team sheet but is apparently a left-arm spinner. He was named in Australia A and was selected in the Champions Trophy 30-man squad. Ricky Ponting’s said it all when he said he knew nothing of the kid having seem him bowl for just 20 minutes. Unfortunately he is a Victorian.
James Hopes: Hopes played a big role in Australia’s win over India in the 2007 series and will be called on to do the same. He is now considered a senior player in the Aussie ranks. A handy all-rounder who skids the ball through. Deceptively quick.
Mitchell Johnson: After promising so much ahead of the Ashes series, Johnson failed to deliver. After watching him, it was clear to see that he was too reliant on the English conditions making him unplayable. They would have done if he got it in the right area. Some say it was because he was focusing too much on his male modelling career however. Has a great record against India.
Brett Lee: Back to his brutal best for NSW in the Champions League and Champions Trophy.
Shaun Marsh: The son of Swampy Marsh, one of Australia’s best ever openers, Shaun has international experience but injury forced him out of national selection. Will be keen to cement a regular spot with a big series.
Tim Paine (wk): Has stepped admirably into Brad Haddins’ boots. Opens the batting with aplomb.
Peter Siddle: An angry young youth that loves to hurt batsmen. Economical.
Adam Voges: Has played just two ODI, scoring 16 against New Zealand and 72 against Scotland. So by ignoring the score against the latter, because after all, it is Scotland, Voges is still an unknown quantity at this level. At domestic level he is brutal.
Shane Watson: Watto is the man for all seasons. Has played just three matches against India scoring half centuries in both. That was way back in 2006 before a string of injuries robbed him of further chances.
Cameron White: May be given the chance to bowl his strange spin. Hopefully not as it is expensive and ugly.
