In other spinning news, Brad Hogg is back in Australian colours, picked in the squad for the Australian T20 series against India. He's 40. Also, Cameron White has gone from captain of the T20 side to not being in it, with George Bailey doing the opposite. He's never played for Australia before, so his first game for the side will be as captain.

Just goes to show how seriously they're taking the T20, really.

Cameron White's form in the T20 form has been poor - and I'll add bewildering. 'Bewildering' from some of the shots in the first few games of the Big bash he went out on. Puzzling and disappointing.

edit:

A couple of years ago I held hope for him at Test level, even mentioned him in discussion as a possible Test captain one day. That notion now looks so far from coming to fruition, it's not funny.

Edited January 23, 201213 yr by H_T

Definitely deserving. Swann had a poor year, Tahir from South Africa, Lyon, and Bishoo from the Windies are just developing, Sri Lanka and India rotate their spinners too much for one sole spinner to get a long period of wicket taking, and Shakib al Hasan from Bangladesh is good but doesn't play anywhere near enough cricket to be close to in a 2011 XI.

Ajmal, really, is well in front of anyone else, although Ashwin is good on turning pitches and Bishoo looks a promising prospect (as does Lyon, really).

In other spinning news, Brad Hogg is back in Australian colours, picked in the squad for the Australian T20 series against India. He's 40. Also, Cameron White has gone from captain of the T20 side to not being in it, with George Bailey doing the opposite. He's never played for Australia before, so his first game for the side will be as captain.

I have not done the Statsguru but is there no love for Vettori....Can bat a bit too!!

Just goes to show how seriously they're taking the T20, really.

Just because they put a Tasmanian captain of an Australian side.....

I have not done the Statsguru but is there no love for Vettori....Can bat a bit too!!

Ah good call. NZ didn't play a lot of cricket in 2011. I don't think he took a great deal of wickets either.

For the record Vettori played four tests last year, against Pakistan (2), Zimbabwe and Australia.

He took 16 wickets (1/48, 4/100, 1/57, 5//70, 3/71 and 2/88) at 27 and scored 298 runs (0, 3, 110, 1, 40, 31, 96 and 17) at 37.

I reiterate my previous position, Clarke should be batting at 3.

Would you give Khawaja another go at 3 in the WI? Could not be worse than Marsh who has had a putrid series. I think Clarke is a better stroke player at 5.

Clarke may actually prefer batting at 5, whether or not the selectors push him up to 3 - or himself - may depend on the current 'development' or trials of Marsh and Khawaja in that position. The other aspect is when Watson returns, where will he play ? Back in the opening position where he did so well ? Or down the order ? Or is he a No.3 prospect too ?

Many unanswered questions that will be answered soon enough, and the West Indies tour may present us with an answer or two in this transition stage of Australian cricket.

Clarke is a prototypical number 5. Excellent player of spin, but can be a little susceptible to the new ball early in his innings. Moving Clarke to number 3 would mean that you'd create two problems instead of one.

I think Khawaja could be there in the long term. Former opener who can play long innings and play the new ball.

Good session by India. Good batting strip to have 3 for at lunch on day 1. Its up to the old hands to get us through.

Agree Bob on Khawaja and Clarke.

3/207 - Clarke 3 4's in a row off the spinner. Keep him at 5.

Ponting heading towards another ton. Making the bat talk this summer. Century beckons.

Australia starting to get on top on a batting peach.

The Ponting-Clarke partnership is really (finally) blossoming, now that we're right at the tail of Ponting's career (or maybe not, if current form holds). Never too late, I guess. Both commented during the other mega partnership that they'd hardly spent any time together in the middle at all in two otherwise successful careers. Great to see them leading from the front.

I'm hopeful of opening the record books again tomorrow guys. Err ... touch wood...

I assume that we all agree that Dhoni isn't the world's best captain, but from what I'm seeing here he's the best that India have.

As a club cricketer, I'd be disappointed to get out to Sehwag. So I don't know how he considers himself the most dangerous bowler to start after tea to two top international players approaching their centuries.

I'm simply of the opinion that your best batsman should bat 3.

A bit simplistic to say that he's susceptible to swing (good bowling essentially) early in the innings. Name a batsman who isn't.

Out of interest, these are his stats since he's become captain.

Versus SL

23 (In at 2-36 off 9.4 overs)

60 (2-5, 3.2)

13 (2-95, 36.5)

6 (3-101, 35.5)

112 (3-188, 55.5)

Versus SA

151 (3-40,16.2)

2 (2-11, 5.3)

11 (3-193, 46.3)

2 (3-141, 36.5)

Versus NZ

139 (3-91, 27.1)

22 (3-31, 15.2)

0 (3-159, 45.4)

Versus India

31 (3-159, 48.3)

1 (3-24, 11.3)

329* (3-37, 8.5)

18 (3-242, 44.5)

109* (3-84, 25.5)

As you can see, quite often he's coming in quite early. Whilst he has still failed on occasion coming in early, he's probably failed as much coming in later in the innings, after, say, 150.

When he's come in after the team has posted 100, he has scores of 6, 112, 11, 2, 0, 31, 18 - 180 runs at 25.7.

When he's come in before the team has posted 100 he has scores of 23, 60, 13, 151, 2, 139, 22, 1, 329* - 740 runs at 92.5 (this obviously includes the once in a lifetime knock but that just as soon can't be ignored and the stats have also left out today's century).

That's 7 innings for 180 runs versus 10 innings for over 850 runs.

I simply think he's our best batsman and has proved since he's become captain, IMO, that he performs better with the team under the pump than vice versa.

Obviously he's in sparkling form and may very well be best to leave his balance alone. I just would rather see him come in at 1-20 rather than 3-40.

I assume that we all agree that Dhoni isn't the world's best captain, but from what I'm seeing here he's the best that India have.

As a club cricketer, I'd be disappointed to get out to Sehwag. So I don't know how he considers himself the most dangerous bowler to start after tea to two top international players approaching their centuries.

In Perth I wasnt sure if the wheels had fallen off the Indian wagon.

Well...they sure have now. If they bowled Ashwin in the 4th over why did they go in the Test with one spinner. On radio they said that since Sehwag did his shoulder that he has lost any guile and zip. He is fodder. And he opened after tea.

Well in Perth.... the wheels are off and Khan and Sharma dont look fit. Yadav is almost out pacing Warner for the century............... off his bowling

3/335 after having Australia 3/84 pre lunch. Aust likely to bat most of tomorrow if they can (get 600+) and then go for the kill. Either way India will need a stroke of luck/genius to keep Aust below 400. India dont want to be batting on this track on day 4 and 5 after the hot sun has baked and opened up the cracks.

Another first day of a Test and once again India have been played out of the game.

Premature I realise, but what are the chances of Australia beating India by an innings three times in a row?

I can't see us winning by an innings. I'd say low.

Its hard ask but if they bat this Test like they have performed today I think its a chance. They look totally dispirited. Mind you if there is a deck where the twplight stars of Indian batting are going to get runs its here. No excuses if they dont.

Premature I realise, but what are the chances of Australia beating India by an innings three times in a row?

It's Adelaide and it's India that we're playing.

Despite the indifference of the captaincy, ineptitude of most of the bowling attack, the very ordinary fielding and the psychological edge we hold over them after yesterday, their batting on reputation is still very strong and it's a flat track.

I'd be asking first if we can get them out twice in this test match.

I'd be asking first if we can get them out twice in this test match.

Whilst we maybe champing at the bit to see big records fall today - and we may see some - I feel Australia will declare around 450. They won't want to bat India out of the game with the series already won (ie. make it a dull game). Australia may declare earlier than many think (ie. instead of the 550/600+ variety on first innings) - at around a total of 450-475. If we go for 550/600 our bowlers may not get a break. Something that Clarke will be mindful of I'm sure. Don't be surprised if we declare at lunch or close to/just after lunch.

It's Adelaide and it's India that we're playing.

Despite the indifference of the captaincy, ineptitude of most of the bowling attack, the very ordinary fielding and the psychological edge we hold over them after yesterday, their batting on reputation is still very strong and it's a flat track.

Yeah, it's the fact that it's India we're playing that made me ask the question.

You're right, their batting has been sensational* this summer. They've definitely* proven they have the ability to bat for any length of time.

The only point I'll concede is the track. I've got no belief whatsoever in their batting though.

Good point HT. I dont like having to try and bowl a side out twice in a row with heat in Adelaide on a good deck. It might have possible with Warne but its a challenge. i wonder if Aust cricket is still scarred by the fateful day in India when we sent India in again from a seemingly unbeatable position and Laxman/ Dravid ground us into the dirt and we lost the series. i cant think where Australia has sent a side in again after that.

Anyway one for the record books, how many times has a batsman scored 200 plus in an innings twice in a series? If its been done before I am naming Bradman or possibly Wally Hammond or Jack Hobbs.

Good point HT. I dont like having to try and bowl a side out twice in a row with heat in Adelaide on a good deck. It might have possible with Warne but its a challenge. i wonder if Aust cricket is still scarred by the fateful day in India when we sent India in again from a seemingly unbeatable position and Laxman/ Dravid ground us into the dirt and we lost the series. i cant think where Australia has sent a side in again after that.

Anyway one for the record books, how many times has a batsman scored 200 plus in an innings twice in a series? If its been done before I am naming Bradman or possibly Wally Hammond or Jack Hobbs.

The difference from that fateful day is we're currently leading the series 3-0, and Clarke having displayed being a team man first and foremost, on home soil, will be mindful of not wanting to harm our bowlers by bowling back-to-back innings on a peach batting deck. Cummins and Pattinson will be in his mind and Siddle has played a full summer. Declaring with a solid total of 450-475 has it's advantages IMO. It already gives a big lead against a poor performing India with the bat, it opens up the opportunity for more time to get India out twice, and will likely give a bowlers a tad of a spell having to bat again. It also gives the likes of Marsh another opportunity to bat, despite a "putrid" summer to date.