Another engrossing series between equals looms

Agencies

Mohali, 01 October 2010: It begins with V.V.S. Laxman’s 281, this most entrancing of cricket rivalries. There is, of course, the danger of undermining accuracy when situating an origin thus, when siphoning from the collective body of history, a convenient stream. But Laxman’s bravura act is remarkably opportune: it neatly sections the celebrated rivalry from the dusty deposits of time.

 

That innings began the process of realigning world cricket’s matrices. It brought the first of seven victories against Australia this decade, a period in which the sides have competed as equals in India and in Australia.

 

Australia, since the innings, has won five Tests which has helped it claim two series. India has taken two series as well, including the last engagement, at home in 2008. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has changed hands thrice in this period; it’s currently in India’s possession.

 

Little to separate

 

In a continuation of the theme of parity, little appears to separate India and Australia as they prepare to begin the latest episode of their rivalry here at the PCA Stadium on Friday, when the first Test gets underway. Like a long-married couple, they’ve come to resemble each other, having imbued a little of the other’s qualities.

 

 

Australia now plays a more patient style of cricket against India, particularly in India, trading frontal attack for methods less direct. The most apparent manifestation of this style is the stationing of sweeper-cover or deep-point as a boundary saver early in a batsman’s innings.

 

India, on the other hand, counters Australia with a degree of aggression and ruthlessness not always evident against other teams. Will both sides continue this trend or will either, in a bid to secure the element of surprise or just because it makes cricket sense given the personnel at its disposal, depart from the pattern?

 

Casting an eye over both squads, the obvious deduction is that the two-match series will be decided by batting errors. Neither appears to have the bowling firepower to settle matters.

 

This may change, for one can seldom determine the onset of a game-breaking bowling effort; it can come of a sudden, the bowler unexpectedly finding himself with just the inspiration and rhythm needed.

 

Zaheer is vital

Zaheer Khan is vital to India’s endeavour. He looked out of sorts in the Champions League, where he was returning from injury. But he’s at a stage of his career where he knows his body and his craft intimately, and India will hope he can convene his best.

 

Ishant Sharma has had success against Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, and Michael Hussey, the spine of Australia’s batting. But Ishant has had trouble with his action — he appears to progress every now and then, but can’t seem to make a clean break from the errors that have been ingrained. Perhaps playing a team he has done well against will be a restorative draught.

 

The performance of India’s spin department will be watched closely. Harbhajan Singh has had a curious time of it recently, struggling with injury and inconsistency. His peevishness at the criticism he gets is understandable, but the criticism isn’t without merit — and it’s certainly something lead spinners can’t wish away.

 

Should Harbhajan play, the choice of a second spinner will be between Amit Mishra, who can create genuine wicket-taking deliveries in between some indifferent stuff, and Pragyan Ojha, who offers his captain better control with his left-arm orthodox.

 

The Australian attack, with its pace bias, has articulated its intention to bounce Virender Sehwag. Just as engaging as this tussle for supremacy will be the battle between the Indian and the Australian seamers for reverse swing, which was crucial the last time the sides met here in 2008.

 

Conditions could be crucial

A lot will depend on the conditions. The wicket here at the PCA Stadium once had considerable pace and carry, but has changed character over the years. To compound matters, unseasonal rains have hindered the curator’s preparations this time around.

 

Still, the wicket-square looks healthy — even if the wet weather in the lead-up incubates a dull strip, there’s a chance the underlying moisture will be drawn to the surface by the sun and the heavy roller, and that often does interesting things. Considering world cricket’s current state, interesting things are needed at once.

 

The sides (from):

 

India: M.S. Dhoni (capt. & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Pragyan Ojha, M. Vijay, and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt.), Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke (vice-capt.), Marcus North, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter George, Phillip Hughes, and Steven Smith. (Stand-by players: Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson).

Umpires: Ian Gould and Billy Bowden; Third umpire: Sanjay Hazare

Match referee: Chris Broad