Australia v India - Reviewing the First Test

Australia wrapped up the First Test against India inside four days earlier today at the MCG for a 122 run victory going some way to atoning for the miserable performance at Hobart just two weeks ago. The victory owes a lot to the increasing strength of Australia's pace battery with James Pattinson and Peter Siddle again impressing and Ben Hilfenhaus looking refreshed and rejuvinated. Under fire veterans Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey set the game up on day three with a valuable partnership, however the inability of the top order to build consecutive partnerships is worrying.

After offering up  A View from the Top after the Hobart debacle the Australian selection panel largely got things right with perhaps only minor tweaking needed moving onto Sydney next week. Here's a quick review of the Australian teams performance;

Dave Warner
Strong first day innings disrupted by the rain delay and out hooking. Absolutely world class cricketer. No need to review his position at the top of the order. Despite being pigeonholed as a one day and T20 slogger, Warner has a much under rated temperament  and plays perfectly straight in defence. Will play 100 plus Test matches and develop into a key leader of this transitional side.

Ed Cowan
Called for his selection on the 12th of December in A View from the Top and Cowan did not disappoint. At odds with the system cricketers coming through as he scores at a pedestrian pace but is a perfect Test match opening bat. Watchful and plays with minimal fuss remembering his main job is to outlast the new ball and build partnerships.

Shaun Marsh
 Called back into the side after injury and lived up to his poor career record. Not rated at all coming into the Test and failed in both innings. Not worthy of a baggy green, but the big question is who bats at three? Khawaja is an option as is moving Ponting up the order, or perhaps Shane Watson will recover from injury and be rushed back. Khawaja is the best cricketer of the lot.

Ricky Ponting
Back to back half centuries in this Test made it four from his last six innings. Similar to Sachin at the moment, you feel if he finally breaks into triple figures he will score a massive score and finish with a mountain of runs for the series. Almost wants it to much.

Michael Clarke
A View from the Top is halfway through a blog on the curious case of Michael Clarke. Failed in both innings but shrewd use of his bowling attack kept Australia on top throughout the Test. Australia's best cricketer but perhaps bats with too much intent at times.


Mike Hussey
Horrendous first innings decision. Match winning knock in the second dig gets the vultures, A View from the Top included, off his back for now. Scratchy form in the two preceding series' and his age means he needs to continue scoring runs though.

Brad Haddin
Opinion has not changed. Do not understand what Haddin offers to this side anymore. Reckless bordering on brainless at the crease and suspect with the gloves. Matthew Wade should assume the gloves for Sydney.

Peter Siddle
Showed quality with the bat and bowled wonderfully. In terrific form. Most improved cricketer over the last four months and the undisputed leader of the Australian attack. Was not bothered by relinquishing the new ball to Pattinson and Hilfenhaus and it does not take away from his importance to this attack.

James Pattinson
Troubled all the Indian batsman with his pace bounce and movement. Exciting cricketer that has boundless potential and has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water. The future of Australian cricket along with the Marsh brother that can play, Pat Cummins and Dave Warner.

Nathan Lyon
Pitch offered nothing for the spinners. However slightly under par performance as he struggled to tie up an end going for four an over for the match. Indians will look to go after him but will get more assistance from  the Sydney deck. First big test of his career, needs to bowl tighter or take more wickets.

Ben Hilfenhaus
A View from the Top offered a quite unflattering evaluation of Hilfenhaus prior to the Test but his performance suggest a return to his 2006-2008 domestic form. Re-modeled action meant the ball swung later and troubled Indian batsman with some good swing bowling. Still question marks on decks that don't swing and at times bowled too short, particularly to tail-enders. Will need to continue to impress to hold out a returning Harris and promising Starc.

Moving onto Sydney and the New Years Test I would make changes at number three and behind the stumps. Matthew Wade is the only fit option to keep with Tim Paine's continuing injury troubles giving the Victorian an option to seize the gloves. A fit Watson, Usman Khawaja, and a crop of Shield batsman led by Mark Cosgrove and oft forgotten man Andrew McDonald (averaging almost 80) have amassed selection claims with strong performances. It really is a toss up for that position but I think Khawaja is the best long term prospect in that position and I tend to lean towards the young New South Welshman.

As always often conflicting but always right opinions from the top.