Aussie power.

I cant accept that India is World No.1 in ICC test ratings. Especially when we see the reports of matches going on. South Africa seems to be making a turnaround in their test against England and Australia have done a sensational comeback against Pakistan. I thought Ian Chappell didnt have a good opinion of Steve Waugh or his captaincy because it prevented his 'favorite' Warne from becoming a captain. His reasoning made me think otherwise. India has always regarded Laxman-Dravid show at Eden Gardens, Kolkota as one of the greatest comebacks in cricket. Of course, most Indians including me ignored the opposition's give-away. With two champion bowlers, McGrath and Shane Warne, Ian Chappell reasoned that it is ridiculous to think that an Indian pair (no matter how great) was allowed to build such an innings and Australia virtually found its way from jaws of victory to defeat.

In the test match against Pakistan that ended today, Australia snatched victory from jaws of defeat and as Chappell said before, Australia dont defeat themselves. A good quality team can surely defeat Australia but if we think without the Indian prism, it sure looks comical that Laxman and Dravid were able to do what they did. If an Indian captain ever allowed that to an opposition, that would have been his last test :) Chappell had mentioned this before in one of the round tables in cricinfo on what makes Australia tick.

What the other sides have to realise is that you will not be able to beat Australia by playing well for five minutes or even for one session. You have got to play for the whole day, for five days. If you're not going into the game with that approach, you are not going to exploit any of the weaknesses that are there.

I am sure that Pakistan would have realized it today.