WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Last Saturday’s dramatic win at the Gabba has seen Australia take a 2-0 lead in this Test series, earning them an unbeatable advantage heading into the last two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
However, the Aussies will still be gunning for one more win to claim the series as they look to maintain second spot to South Africa in the world Test rankings.
For India, though, there’s still more at stake than pride. The tourists will be looking to keep acclimatising to Australian conditions as they look to take the World Cup home early next year. Sure they can’t win the series now, but some quality results on Australian soil will build confidence.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS
We all pretty much know what to expect from the wicket at the MCG. It won’t be anywhere near as lively as Perth or Brisbane but won’t be quite as accommodating as Adelaide. In short, it should deliver a fairly even contest between ball and bat.
As for the conditions; There’s been some rain forecast for early on Boxing Day morning, but the weather bureau is saying it should fine up after that.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Australia have lost Mitch Marsh (hamstring) for this Test and David Warner remains under a cloud after bruising his thumb on the last day in Brisbane. The Aussies can’t afford to lose Warner for a long period with the World Cup around the corner and could take a conservative approach with the explosive opener now that the series can’t be lost.
Joe Burns has been brought into the squad to replace Marsh but may not take his spot at number six. Instead, with Shane Watson struggling in the troublesome number three slot, Burns may slot in there dropping Watson down the order. However, that may just end up seeing Watson partnering up with the equally out-of-form Brad Haddin, so we’ll see.
Ryan Harris also looks set to resume for what may be his last Test of the summer. Ryano was rested for the clash in Brisbane but should take Mitchell Starc’s position in the attack. Harris will complete one of the best bowling line-ups Australia has fielded in some time as he teams up with Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and this summer’s spinning superstar Nathan Lyon.
India appear to have a more settled line-up after their highly competitive displays across the first two Tests. However, it will be interesting to see what ramifications emerge from Shikhar Dhawan’s injury in the nets last Saturday morning. That injury forced Virat Kohli out to bat at short notice and he lost his wicket cheaply. There may be repercussions for this.
Joe Burns could make his debut for Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne (Pic: Getty Images)
HAVE INDIA FIRED THEIR BEST SHOT?
This is the big question. India seriously took it to the Aussies in both the first two Tests. If Mitch Marsh had dropped Virat Kohli late in the afternoon in Adelaide, then India surely would have won that encounter. The tourists also dominated the opening day in Brisbane but yet another batting collapse – this time prompted by some Josh Hazlewood brilliance in the first session of day two – saw Australia charge into contention again.
Throughout the first two matches so far, Australia have had the ability to win the key moments as players like Steve Smith, David Warner, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Johnson, Ryan Harris and Michael Clarke have risen to the occasion in a big way. But whether India will be as competitive in these next two matches remains to be seen. The tourists could easily just use these matches as practice in order to get their eye in for Australian conditions. But on the other hand, the plaudits being given to Kohli for his captaincy in the first Test seem to have given MS Dhoni a kick up the posterior and maybe he’ll be wanting to actively pursue winning in order to stop Kohli challenging his place just a little while longer.
WILL TEMPERS FLARE AGAIN?
Judging by the first two Tests they probably will. Ever since that fourth day in Adelaide when nerves started fraying, it’s always looked like things could boil over. India complaining about sub-standard practice wickets in Brisbane, won’t have helped matters either as Australia are sure to remind them about this.
Tensions run high as David Warner is recalled to the crease after Varun Aaron's no ball (Pic: Getty Images)
