Sunday, December 25, 2011

Test of Australia rookies against Indian greats


Australia may have a three inexperienced hitters, but they are in order before opening Boxing Day test against India, Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin said on Sunday.

Australia's top three in the batting order-David Warner, Ed Cowan and Shaun Marsh-has only five tests between them in one of the strangest combinations of Australia in more than three decades.

Warner played only two test matches, but comes to the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a last start undefeated 123 against New Zealand, while the three-test Marsh crunched out 99 52 domestic Twenty20 balls in just a few days ago.

Rookie Cowan won the selection with the strength of its 109 to XI of a President against India this week along with three centuries of first class this season.

While the Australian team is in transition, top five hitters of India — Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, juggling Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman — have a combined score of 610 tests.

In the first of four tests for the border-Gavaskar trophy is the experience of India against the inexperienced potential of Australia.

Wicketkeeper Haddin, who will be an important member of the Australian batting lineup at number seven, said it was time for the home team to get up and face the Indian challenge.

"You talk about our first three inexperienced, I think we have a lot in the first three," Haddin told reporters on Sunday.

"And if we're going to do any good in this series will be from one to seven with the bat. We run.

"We make sure we have our heads games and ready to go".

Coach Mickey Arthur has organized a camp hitters this week and Haddin said that the meeting of three days was the clear mind of batsmen.

"Freeing his head, having no other thoughts in your head, but only playing cricket," said Haddin.
"You'll see over the next five days if it has all paid off."

Australia also are assuming enormous quantities of big game experience with the ball for India, with two of the four frontline bowlers, James Pattinson and offspinner Nathan Lyon, in its first year of Test Cricket.

"We chose an 11 that we are confident to rip through this Indian side," said Haddin.

"They have some great players and I know that especially our bowlers are eager to have a crack at them".

Pattinson, 21, took only 14 wickets in his two tests against New Zealand, while the Lyon has 22 wickets of his seven tests in 24.59.

Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman indicated that they will after Lyon dent their confidence.

"We're just hoping that we can score some runs off him, try to put pressure on him," Captain MS Dhoni India said.

"The kind of experience that we have, that really help us in implementing our plans".

Australian Captain Michael Clarke said Lyon will have to be managed carefully throughout the series, but he considers it as a potential weapon against a team that are traditionally adept at playing spin bowling.

"We have to make sure we Bowl Nathan at the right times, define the fields of law to give him a little protection, and then attack when it is time to attack," said Clarke.

Tendulkar could mark his 100th century in tests and one day internationals during the four-test series.

It has been anchored in 99 hundreds since March and Dhoni said Tendulkar was leaving aside the speculation and pressure connected to his impending execution.

Dhoni "He is someone who keeps really simple," he said. "He will get it at some point in time, is this series or the next series.

"I think there's any additional pressure on him.

"Hundreds of hundreds of international cricket, is something really great. All cricket, around the world, people actually are going to cherish the moment when he gets his hundredth done. "

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