Bring on the Aussies

Mitchell Johnson has already tried to talk up himself, Stuart Clark and Brett Lee as equally potent, and he has a fair point — Lee at full steam with a new ball won't be the most welcome of sights for Smith and Neil McKenzie. But the adrenaline and the competition — as well as the sledging, which has the potential to reach the standard India and Australia set earlier this year — is exactly why this series will be so fascinating; that, and the test that is represents for the true measure of Australia at the moment.

An off-spinner who is willing to flight the ball, Jason Krejza was selected in the Australian cricket team to tour India from relative obscurity. Australia persisted with the part-time spin of Michael Clarke and Cameron White for the first three Tests, but desperately needed a win in the final Test to square the series and Krejza finally got his chance (at the expense of Stuart Clarke). He didn't disappoint, taking eight wickets in the first innings and 12 in the match in total ... Mendis made his debut against the West Indies in April and burst onto the international scene during the Asian Cup in June. His 6/13 in the final — against Indian players that have played spin their whole careers — was remarkable, with Indian captain MS Dhoni stating in the post-match press conference that even a team with 11 batsman would not have been able to play him on the day.