Australia vs India – Fourth Test Preview

Australia head into this fourth test match on the back of two innings wins over a struggling India side. The Australia vs India test series was supposed to be our big test. However, all we have seen so far is an Indian side that does not seem to be interested. We head to Adelaide with a 3-0 lead in the series and a chance to complete a series whitewash.

While India have been atrocious, this shouldn’t take anything away from the performances of the Aussies. Australia can only play what is put in front of them. I’ve been impressed with how they have gone for the throat in this series. They haven’t given India a chance to get on top at all. If it isn’t the bowlers ripping India a new one, it’s the batsmen putting together big scores and grinding India into the ground.

Australia have to make a decision in this test match with the bowler rotation policy once again rearing its head. Harris returned to the side for the third test, and Starc hit some good form. It will be interesting to see who’ll be 12th man. My money is actually on Siddle as 12th man for the fourth test. That would see Lyon recalled as in Adelaide a spinner is a must. It also gives Siddle a rest after playing 3 tests in a short space of time to protect him from burnout.

Going into this Australia vs India fourth test, Australia has named an unchanged XII. India, on the other hand, have been forced to make one change with MS Dhoni suspended following slow over rates in the third test. He is replaced by Wriddhiman Saha with Virender Sehwag to deputise as Captain in Dhoni’s absence. Sehwag, for mine, doesn’t seem like captain material. In saying that though, is there anyone else in the side that could do the job?

Micheal Clarke will be looking for his first series whitewash here and I don’t think you will see the Aussies release the pressure valve. India will have a battle on their hands but the Adelaide pitch may be a bit kinder to them so hopefully this one will go longer than 3 days.

David Warner and Ed Cowan struck up a great understanding in the Australia vs India third test. Australia posted their best opening stand of the series which culminated in Warner blasting 180 off 159 balls. Cowan was also solid with 74 from 120 and supported Warner well. The Australian test side seems to be coming together well following the appointment of new coaches and selectors.

The only area I still have my doubts about is wicket keeping. Haddin does not seem up to the task anymore and it will only be a matter of time before he is moved on. The problem is that the man Cricket Australia have deemed to be his replacement, Tim Paine, is out injured for an extended period. They could go with youngster Matthew Wade, who has had rave reviews from coaches and teammates. However, this would upset the apple cart and once again make a mockery of the CA contract system currently in place.

Despite the problem in this area, Australia appear to be going from strength to strength so it probably makes no sense to break up a winning side at this stage. This fourth test should be a beauty and we should see the Aussies continue on their march towards the 2013 Ashes series in England. Give this side another 12 months and I think they will have returned to the summit where they belong!

Australia vs India – Fourth Test Line-ups

Australia: David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (c), Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon (12th man to be named)

India: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, Wriddhiman Saha, Ranganath Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Rohit Sharma (12th man to be named)

Australia vs India – Tips

sportsbanter.com.au Tip – Australia
Banter’s Best Bets – Australia @ $1.75, India – First Man Out – Sehwag @ $1.90