India v Australia - Series Preview

Australia last toured India way back in the first season of ATG cricket, and what was India's inaugural series ended in a humiliating 5-0 whitewash that cost Pataudi jnr both the captaincy and his place in the team. Fast forward to the present day and Pataudi is back in charge of an Indian team keen to avenge that defeat, and having secured a 1-1 draw when the sides last met in Australia, one feels that the upcoming series promises to be a far closer affair. India's record at home in ATG Tests has been surprisingly poor though, and whilst Pataudi himself has been in excellent form since replacing Gavaskar as skipper, one feels that his powers of motivation and inspiration will be tested to the limit over the course of the four matches.

Pataudi's opposite number, Richie Benaud, has led Australia back towards the top of the rankings since taking over from Don Bradman, and he leads a strong touring party that sees recalls handed to Steve Waugh, Greg Chappell and Ray Lindwall and a first call up for off-spinner Ian Johnson, whose inclusion above Clarrie Grimmett caused more than a few eyebrows to be raised in the Australian press. The selectors justified their decision by stating that, with two leg spinners in the squad already in the shape of Benaud and O'Reilly, Johnson's presence would add variety in a series where spin is expected to be a large factor, but the pressure will now be on Johnson should he make the starting XI.

Current form (most recent result first)
India LWLWD
Australia DWWWW

Previous series result
Australia 1 India 1 (Season III; 3 Tests)

Australia squad
R Benaud (c), AR Border (v/c), DG Bradman, GS Chappell, AK Davidson, IA Healy, IWG Johnson, WA Johnston, WM Lawry, DK Lillee, RR Lindwall, RW Marsh, KR Miller, WJ O'Reilly, SR Waugh, WM Woodfull,