Winning the big moments

The final frontier has been conquered and Australia return home wondering about the location of their next great challenge. The only serious blemish came in the final Test when their susceptibility to fourth-innings chases was again exposed. But did it really matter? In the first and third Tests they demolished India and in the second were amazingly resuscitated by Damien Martyn and Jason Gillespie. Without Ricky Ponting, Australia won the big moments, the back-up men supported the stars and two young players were unearthed. The main prize was collected after 35 years, but much more was achieved.

Damien Martyn replaced Matthew Hayden as the go-to man on Indian pitches © Getty Images Enlarge

9
Damien Martyn
Martyn, the Man of the Series, replaced Matthew Hayden as Australia's go-to man in India. He started slowly in the first Test but backed his own method of staying back to the spinners and celebrated with two hundreds and two fifties. His 104 in the second Test saved a certain defeat - who knows what would have happened if India had drawn level. He proved he was human in the final innings with a duck, when Australia needed a solid 20, and finished with 444 runs at 55.5.

8
Michael Clarke
An amazing debut and a stunning introduction after getting the nod ahead of Brad Hodge when Ricky Ponting was ruled out. His 151 at Bangalore had former players struggling to find the right comparisons - was he Doug Walters, Mark Waugh or both? Two half-centuries in the third match consolidated his position, which many believe he will hold for the next 10 years. Six surprise wickets in the second innings at Mumbai enhanced his 400-run fairytale tour.

Adam Gilchrist
For the first three Tests he was Superman, and his celebrations after winning the series in Nagpur were so animated that he threatened to take off. Wearing the captaincy, keeping and batting, he really was the great allrounder. The roles were draining - he missed a couple of catches as Australia struggled at Chennai, but ended with 16 dismissals - yet he was so effective that Ponting wasn't missed. His hundred at Bangalore was overshadowed by Clarke's innings, but his 49 in the second Test was the ultimate example of leading from the front.

Jason Gillespie
Australia's most effective bowler, Gillespie grew into the pack's leader and dined on 20 wickets at 16.15. He began the series slowly but by the fourth Test had the opposition top order wrapped up. The tightest of lines and constant, dangerous off-cutters were responsible for his career-best match-figures of 9 for 80 at Nagpur. His defensive technique to the spinners was as sound as any of his team-mates, and he ensured they kept the lead with his 242 minutes of defiance with Martyn at Chennai.

Jason Gillespie: hostile and fiery with the ball, defensive and obdurate with the bat © AFP Enlarge

7
Shane Warne
Facing his toughest opponents, Warne willingly accepted the role of support despite becoming the game's greatest wicket-taker. He bowled faster and flatter and registered his best performance against India, taking his first five-for against them with 6 for 125 at Chennai and finishing with 14 wickets at 30. He had control of VVS Laxman, who he dismissed three times, and missed a made-to-order wicket at Mumbai when he broke his thumb the day before the match.

Glenn McGrath
Showed at 34 that he still has what it takes to dominate batsmen. He ticked off his recovery from ankle operations with 4 for 55 in the first innings at Bangalore, played his 100th Test in Nagpur and took his 450th wicket. With Gillespie he tormented the top order, and by the end of the series had 14 wickets at 25. He also played the best shot of his life with a hook in the first innings at Mumbai.

6
Simon Katich
The most calm of Australia's batsmen, Katich filled in responsibly for Ponting at No. 3. He made significant half-centuries in the first and third Tests, and was heartbroken after falling for 99 at Nagpur. Comfortable against the spin with his softer hands, Katich was dropped to No.5 when Ponting returned and ended the series with 276 runs at 39.

Michael Kasprowicz
He gave incredible support to McGrath and Gillespie and with his nagging reverse-swing made sure India had no bowler to attack. He chipped in with nine wickets but could have come away with five or six more. Like Katich, his contribution will be under-rated by most outside the team, but he showed again he is the closest Australia have to a subcontinent specialist.

5
Matthew Hayden
Hayden couldn't find his rhythm as he attempted to replicate the amazing 2001 series. He didn't know whether to attack or be patient and the confused approach showed with his many starts but only one half-century. He and Justin Langer became Australia's highest run-scoring opening partnership when they passed Mark Taylor and Michael Slater's record in Mumbai, but both wanted more.

Simon Katich: fantastic against spin and the glue that bound the Australian middle order © Getty Images Enlarge

Justin Langer
He started the first two Tests with half-centuries but tailed off as he struggled against India's left-arm opening bowlers. He will be disappointed with his 228 runs at 28.5 but will look forward to returning to the fast pitches of home for the series against New Zealand.

Nathan Hauritz
Had a wonderful debut after filling in for the injured Warne at Mumbai. Collected three wickets in five overs in the first innings, before being attacked by Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in the second. Kept trying against the two dangermen and was fittingly rewarded with both wickets.

4
Darren Lehmann
He had a strange tour. Lehmann offered to donate his place to Clarke after his first-Test century, and struggled against spin before finding his feet with 70 in Nagpur, where he tore his hamstring. He stayed on the tour till the end but has dropped down the pecking order.

3
Ricky Ponting
A broken thumb ruled him out of the first three Tests but, after a reminder at Mumbai of the horrors he has against Indian spinners, it might have been a blessing. He ran the drinks and supported the team at Nagpur; shared the Border-Gavaskar trophy lift with Gilchrist at Mumbai.

Peter English is Australasian editor of Wisden Cricinfo