Thirty Five Years Of History Stopped

Always looking to innovate, the Australians have backedup their latest one with a performance to behold in the Nagpur Test.

Players took advantage of a six-day break in totallydifferent ways. Never before have holidays in different countries been taken inthe middle of tours. Possibly in the United Kingdom, so why not in Asia? Gettingaway from cricket was a clear motivation and it worked sensationally in Nagpur.

Australia, under pressure to lift in several areas,sent the strongest teachings to all opponents and coaches of all levels of thedangers of overtraining. They produced an inspiring, nation-stopping,dismantling of a side which were their equal just one week ago.

India suffered massively with Harbhajan's absence itmust be said and someone to support the pace of Zaheer Khan would have preventedsome runflow but these Aussies were so ready for India, at full strength or not.

India were terrible on the first afternoon when theylet chances slip crucially towards the end of play. Clarke, who was thebeneficiary of a close LBW earlier, was missed twice behind and also a halfchance run out.

The difference would have been confidence leading intotheir first innings. You can't compete with the Australian attack in the formthey are in without confidence and momentum.

India have no one to blame but themselves because itwas their own lack of skill at critical times in the field. Which approach willJohn Wright take to remedy these problems? Overtraining or holidaying?

The so-called controversial pitch preparation was afizzer. It was beautifully neutral and allowed the relative form and talent ofthe combatants to surface, as any good pitch should. All facets of playprospered because of the pitch, which is another good sign. Zaheer Khan troubledall Australian bats; McGrath, Gillespie and Kasprowicz were as strong a group asI have seen and Warne found something.

Langer was quickly out of the blocks, Martyn, Katich ,Clarke loved it while credit to Kaif and Sehwag for their enterprise with thestick. Too many of the Indians are too far out of form for them to threaten.

In the past two years I have been impressed by India'spack mentality (learnt from the Australian team) where someone has been gettingthe job done for the team to continue confidently, but no one has lookedremotely capable in this match. Psychological and cloudy heads must be clearedto save Test careers and get feet moving again.

No centuries to the legendary Australian openingbatsmen and the series is won. Martyn has been tough and exquisite in hisapplication of his natural flair and has covered extensively. Eight months agohe was on the chopping block and now, another summer like this he can contestthe world player of the year award.

Much has been written about Clarke and he is specialbut how well is Simon Katich cruising around his new surroundings? He will neverbe overstated but his performances in his career so far are a credit to him.

I don't know what the bowlers did during the break butwhatever they did, it should be kept a secret. They were awesome. It looked likethey had been in camp together and not only meticulously planned together butreturned with supreme confidence which allowed them to execute the finestdetail. They owned their plans and were totally committed to them.

Great to see Gillespie get deserved returns even if hedid miss out on his first 10-wicket haul. His pace readings were back to high130's too which has been a while in returning but ominous. Warne quite possiblybowled the best he has in India, although I will leave that up to him. Here-discovered some drift and sharp spin at times on a wicket more like home. Wasthat the flipper I saw more than I have for the last five years as well? He isstill not finished for this series and it is clear that India has underestimatedhis danger.

The skipper bounced back to his absolute sharpest toowhich requires preparation and toughness to turn form around so quickly behindthe stumps. His footwork was crisp and made things look easy once again. Topeffort considering what was on his plate. Thirty-five years of history hasstopped and he has had a major hand in this clinical exhibition.

I can't wait to see the reaction of the Indianselectors. If, in their opinion, the players that they are selecting are goodplayers, there is no need for panic changes.

The players must demonstrate their responsibility,which is to play more often to their potential than they are at the moment. Withgood players, this happens when the chips are down.

This is not the time for wholesale changes becausenothing will be gained in a dead rubber by blooding new characters. This shouldbe the current team's easiest Test to play, now that the result doesn't have tobe considered . If performance is again not evident then there is serious reasonfor change, having exhausted opportunity.

Never forget either that this Australian team won theseries without even getting near their potential. This certainly wasn't one ofthose, but as usual they have done it when it mattered most and reached greatheights of near perfection.

PTI