Australia vs India – 2nd Test – Match Preview
With burden of expectations on both sides, the Sydney Cricket Ground will witness its 100th Test as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting from January 3, 2012.
The series has been panned up thrillingly after both sides gave a glimpse of their strength and more importantly, their weaknesses in the first Test at the MCG.
The hosts though emerged easy winners in the end, but it still wasn’t convincing when it comes to their top order which fell short to some good seam bowling. Likewise, the Indian batters and the wealth of accumulated runs at their disposal hardly impacted
little on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PM-Siddle-c2197, who ran through the line up with limited difficulty.
But the return of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Ashwin-c2228 showing maturity; it will
be a certain relief for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 -thinking that his bowlers can take 20 wickets in a match.
However, the biggest question mark remains on the batting frailties of the Men In Blue which needs a certain readdressing before the series win is out of their hands. The next venue will be an ideal platform for them to get back to their best. With Sachin
Tendulkar and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 being named in the World Team XI which played at the SCG, it shows the pedigree of the two batsmen at this ground.
The Little Master averages a staggering 221.33 and it will be perfect occasion for him to make his hundredth ton. He showed serious glimpses of his old self at the MCG but with stakes ever higher than before, he will need to prove that he remains the ultimate
best.
Aussie skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 also revealed his admiration for his home ground however; his performance at this venue has not been the greatest. Still with tails up high, the national team will be in confident mood going into the second Test given the situation
of the bowling line up.
The top order was not convincing but promise was evident with the knock played by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942. Both guided the Kangaroos from the brink of
embarrassment to a thrilling win at the MCG, which has lifted the morale.
The key for them will be James Pattinson as the young pacer proved the difference with his all-round display in the opening Test. Also with the Aussies naming an unchanged XI, it means fit again http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822
will have to share the bulk of bowling due to the spinner friendly conditions.
However, having said that, a lot of talk has been about the pitch not being as supportive to spin as before but going by the tradition one expects the spinners to have an important part to play.
It will be a do or die for the tourists, still searching for their first series win Down Under. To their advantage, the SCG certainly will suit them provided their batters score come to the foil assuredly.
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