Australia vs India, what a series of cricket it has been so far. We’ve had everything, wickets galore in the first test and runs galore in the second test. We’ve also had controversy regarding India’s decision not to embrace the Decision Review System technology offered to them in both tests. In the end, that decision could have all but cost them the series with some crucial calls going against them in both tests. That’s the game of cricket though, and this Australia vs India test series has produced some unbelievable cricket.

Australia head into this third test of the Australia vs India Vodafone Test Series with an unbeatable 2-0 lead courtesy of some quality bowling from their quicks. Not to mention some classy performances from some of the old hands in Clarke, Hussey and Ponting. India have been disappointing so far this series but that isn’t to take anything away from the Aussies who have fought hard and have deserved to win both tests.

The Australian summer of cricket has just started to heat up and it is the Australians who have come out on top, culminating in a dominating performance in the second test. Michael Clarke’s unbeaten 329 was the stand-out, but he also had quite a large supporting cast with both Ponting and Hussey cracking brilliant centuries. The Aussie bowlers also stood up to be counted to knock the Indian top order over, none of their batsmen reaching the century milestone. Australia managed to take the test by an innings and 68 runs, very similar to the Sydney test last year. This time though, the Aussies came out on top whereas last year we were on the end of a beat down from England in the Ashes.

This Australia vs India series now heads to Perth for the third of the Vodafone Tests, both sides yet to name their 11 for the match. Australia are tossing up whether to include 4 quicks in their 11, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc fighting for the last place in this side. Perth is a traditionally quick and bouncy cricket pitch, so I have a feeling Lyon will be carrying the drinks come lunchtime Friday our time.

Indian quick Ishant Sharma has become the latest of the Indian players to be embroiled in controversy on this tour. He has reportedly been sighted giving a crowd of onlookers, who gathered to watch some of the Indian players go-karting, the finger. He joins Virat Kohli who also flipped some Aussie supporters the bird during the second test at the SCG. This shows just how much pressure the Indian players are under and should they lose this series, they can expect a very hostile home-coming.

While Australia have gone from strength to strength under new coach Micky Arthur, India are left looking for answers and this Australia vs India series seems to have already passed them by. They’ll need a much improved performance in the third test, and will no doubt need their ageing top and middle order to fire if they are to be any chance of squaring the series.

Australia have just the one injury concern going into the third test with James Pattinson likely to miss the rest of the series with a stress fracture in his foot. Mitchell Starc is his replacement after missing out on the series with some less than impressive performances against New Zealand. Starc looked in good form in the Sixers win over the Thunder in a rain affected KFC Big Bash match a few days ago, so hopefully he has recovered his form going into this one.

India are unlikely to make any changes to their side despite the losses. In the last test they didn’t even name a twelfth man so it would seem they are pretty set on the side they want to take part in this test cricket series.

Australia vs India – Likely Squads

Australia: Ed Cowan, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (captain), Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc. 

India: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Dhoni (captain, wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav.

Hashtags – #abcwacatest, #AusvInd

sportsbanter.com.au Tip – Australia 

Banter’s Best Bet – 1st innings lead – Australia @ $1.53