Want to win in Oz? Ask us Kiwis how

Self-belief will be the key for India on their tour. That and a set of solid gameplans with the ability to back it up. Sounds easy. I can assure you it’s not.

I felt things were made easier for me on that first tour by the plans we looked to implement against the Australians. First, we looked to take the Aussies into day five.

So often you see Australia beat sides in three or four days, set up by the fast scoring nature of their batsmen. Bowling a maiden over can feel like winning the lottery!

The Australians should be back to full bowling strength but, as Michael Vaughan showed, it is possible to place their bowlers under pressure. Vaughan is a class player and perhaps if Sachin takes on the Australians, this will instill confidence in the side.

The first Test will be the most important. Brisbane is a not a happy hunting ground for touring teams, especially first up. If the Indians can come through the first Test unscathed, then I give them a real chance, especially in Adelaide and Sydney.

It’s at these venues that the Indians may get their best opportunity for victory through their spin bowlers. Spinners such as Vettori, and more recently Price from Zimbabwe, have shown that good spin bowling can be rewarded with bags of wickets.

But before the spinners get their opportunity, the seamers will get their chance. With the new ball in a Test match and plenty of catchers behind the wicket, it is often perceived that it’s a matter of survival for the opening batsmen. However, in the last few seasons, it’s been the bowlers ducking for cover as Hayden and Langer blaze away at five and above per over from the start.

It’s not a great feeling as an opening bowler, but the Australians will offer you a chance. Both look to the short ball to get away, so the Indians have two options, bowl to it, or avoid it.

If both Nehra and Zaheer play, shaping the ball away from the bat, then it will be an interesting contest. Langer will chase width and offer you a chance. Hayden is incredibly strong on anything straight. Perhaps a fifth stump line would be useful against him. It’ll be interesting to see if Agarkar plays in the Test matches. I’ve seen both openers fall over and be given out leg before to right-armers who shape the ball back in to the left hander. Agarkar has that ability. Ponting pushes hard with his hands early, so a line fullish, just outside off, early is crucial. Like most of the Aussies, once they get in, push that line out a little wider. A stacked offside field especially around point is crucial against Damien Martyn. He doesn’t move his feet much, but has sublime hand-eye ability.

An early full attack on the stumps for Darren Lehmann, who walks along across, could work as long as there’s some protection on the leg side. And then there’s Waugh and Gilchrist. The toughest batsman followed by the most explosive. Both players must be attacked early, full around off stump.

It’s a daunting challenge that faces the Indians. Reputations can be made or tarnished on this tour. It’s not a task that is beyond them though.

They have an experienced, world-class batting line up, quality spinners and talented quicks. Saurav Ganguly will need to display strong leadership and lead from the front with the bat. If India can play disciplined but aggressive cricket, be patient and willing to hang in there, with a bit of luck, they could create their own place in history.

My money’s still on Australia, though!

(Cricket News)