Australia's cricket juggernaut continued as they marched to an emphatic win. My earlier prophecy that Ricky Ponting and his charges would be severely tested are quickly being deconstrcuted after a resounding 2-0 win over the Sri Lankans, and today's easy victory over the Indians.

Australia, expected to face a period of transitory jitters after retirements of Warne, McGrath and Langer have instead been invigorated by an injection of hungry new talent, and the maturing of Brett Lee. Prior to the start of the Boxing Day test, India talked the talk, promising a tough challenge for the Aussies. Harbajan Singh even went further to basically suggest that his Indian batting maestros would feast on Brad Hogg. Match figures for Hogg of 38 overs 4-133 suggested he was far from dominated. His flipper to dismiss Sourav Ganguly was a classic dismissal. 

Rain contrived to produce a pitch which would have been far more familiar to the Indians rather than providing a home advantage to Australia. Low and slow, made it tough going, but Mathew Hayden's resolute century provided a springboard from which the Australian bowlers capitalised to provide a huge first innings lead. India's cause was not helped by an opening partnership which was shown to be thoroughly inept. Rahul Dravid has always been in a thorn in Australia's side, with his consistent and heavy run scoring but in this test really struggled. In the first innings he took over forty balls to get off the mark, limping to 5 off 66 balls and in the second innings increased his output to 16 but off an amazing 114 balls! Indian need to examine their opening partnership. Dravid has thrived at 3 and should be returned to a position he has batted for most of his career. Perhaps the inclusion of Virender Sehwag and his more dynamic approach would serve India better. 

What now for the Aussies, a well earned rest and then on to Sydney for a chance to equal the world record of 16 consecutive test victories. While the Indians will be disheartened, they can look to a pitch where they should excel as Sydney is one of the slower decks in the country is conducive to spin. Another Australian victory will secure the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Australia won convincingly even with Ponting and Hussey providing little in the way of runs. Australia can still improve, God help the Indians!

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