This was a game that could have been won by either team but Australia was the team that deserved to win. There will be many talking points from this game and most notable will be the issue of the DRS and India's ongoing stance of not allowing it to be used in any games it plays. What I can still not understand is how India can hold their head up high on an issue like this and not bat an eyelid when the technology they refuse to use helps them get a wicket, when an umpire asks for the same technology to help decide if a wicket has fallen. I have previously discussed this issue and I will state again that the ICC needs to be a controlling body as it is designed to be and say that it is to be there for every game or none at all. If it is not to be available for the captains of each team then it is not to be available for the umpires either. Or take the decision out of the hands of the layers and let the umpires review any decision they want. The lack of DRS also highlighted why it is there to use, if the umpires didn't get so many decisions wrong there would not be any debate on the issue. Will the umpires get a hauling over in the press though? Doubt it.
The next issue to raise debate is that of the Australian batsmen. Australia is very close to getting a solid team together but it is also a long way off. But for the second innings, Hussey must have been close to playing his last game and may now last the summer out. But a run of low scores again may well be his last. Ponting has answered his critics to a degree (myself included) and like Hussey may have guaranteed a start in every game for the summer, but Ponting too may not be too far off being tapped on the shoulder. Warner showed what you get with a player of his style. He now must learn to show he can curb his style on pitches where it is in favour of the bowler and put away the loose shots when the time calls. Cowan was very good on debut and can be forgiven for one bad call of judgement. If anything it was nice to see a batsmen who knew what it means to play cricket over 5 days and not one session. Could be some big scores in a batsmen who looks like he could bat for 2 days. Then we come to the so called talented batsmen who must be told, sorry but you are no longer required, Haddin. Yet again this is a batsmen who is not doing anything with the bat and knows how to get himself out more than a good ball gets him out. Add to that his poor glovework (he may have taken a lot of catches but if the one he dropped cost them the game it would be a lot different.).
The final talking point will is the Australian bowling. here is a lineup that is missing some of its best in the likes of Harris and Watson and promising young quick Cummins. And it is the bowlers that won the game for Australia. All the bowlers were amongst the wickets and when you look at the valuable runs they put in for both innings (84 1st innings & 55 2nd innings) it must be embarrassing for the batsmen who only have one role.
It is always great to see Australia win, it is even greater to see them win a game against a team like India. Australia just need to go on and make India return to home soil with it's tail between it's legs. Just because India has some talented players it does not mean we should let them showcase their talent on our turf. When we tour no team is happy to see us win and do well, so it s only fair we return to the days of being a bit aggressive and arrogant on the field. One does not become a feared opponent in top flight sport by being mild and welcoming.
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