Opening,not an open and shut case for Australia

New South Wales Ed Cowan is the in-form opener in Australia having scored three hundreds in his last three first-class games

New South Wales Ed Cowan is the in-form opener in Australia having scored three hundreds in his last three first-class games. Hell feature in the three-day tour game against India from Monday. Excerpts from Cowans media interaction:

On the Shane Watson factor (if he is fit and opens,the likes of Hughes and Cowan are unlikely to play the Boxing Day Test)

* It wouldnt come down to what I have done. Its more a question of how Shane Watson is and whether he wants to open the batting. If he is fit,he sends someone out. If he doesnt want to open,then they have to call out for someone else. Im in the form of my life but whether Im chosen or not is not up to me. There is no communication that he isnt going to be there on Boxing Day.

Comparison between Indias attack and New Zealands

* They are proven to be better attack than the New Zealanders,who were inexperienced. Doug Bracewell was in his third Test,Trent Boult in his first,Vettori was missing. The big question for batters would be if Zaheer could get the reverse swing – if it is Sydney and Adelaide,then the answer probably is yes. We have seen in the subcontinent his skills with reverse swing have been tremendous. It would be as big a challenge as he would be with the new ball. I dont know much about the rest of the attack. Im sure they will be a strong one.

On Indias chances of opening their series account Down Under

* It would be a great Test. They have fantastic cricketers. And so do Australia. Ponting,Clarke,Hussey have been world class,forgetting the last month about which a lot of people tend to rely heavily on. They would be pretty pumped up,come Boxing Day. There is no occasion bigger than the Boxing Day Test. I dont think Indians have had a good look at the Aussie quicks. Thats where the series would probably be decided: Indian batsmen vs Aussie quicks.

On Greg Chappells inputs

* Im not sure how much Greg Chapell would influence people like Michael Clarke and his planning. But at the same time,youve got to take what Greg did with India with a pinch of salt.