Meanwhile, Down Under

6 scorecards from the 6 venues hosting Test Cricket this southern summer

The Gabba

158, 544 and 457 in the 3 innings played for the loss of 10, 6 and 5 wickets.
This, on the fastest ground in Australia at the beginning of the season

Hobart

482,363,171* in 2 and a bit innings played for the loss of 10, 6 and 4 wickets
Ben Hilfenhaus 42-6-150-2 and 8-2-29-1
S. Tait 27-2-117-1
J. Gillespie 22-5-74-2

The MCG

277,114, 289 and 164 runs scored for the loss of 10,10,6 and 10 wickets
CL White 5-0-13-0 and 10-0-41-2
Brad Hogg 12.4-2-21-3 and 18.4-4-62-5

Interesting that the most successful bowler at the MCG in the lung opener is a left arm Chinaman.

The SCG

467,601, 398 and 34* runs for the loss of 10, 8, 7 and 0 wickets
Brett Lee 27-4-113-0 and 23-8-75-0
N Bracken 19-7-42-1 and 21-8-69-1
S Clark 27-7-79-3 and 24-7-71-4
M Johnson 32-4-134-0 and 4-0-21-0
S McGill 36-1-183-3 and 19-1-97-1

Adelaide

438, 249, 158 and 77 runs for the loss of 10,10, 4 and 10 wickets
J Gillespie 32-6-97-1 and 8-3-21-1
Dan Cullen 37-3-125-2 and 10-0-43-1
Cullen Bailey 16-2-66-1 and 10-0-37-0
CL White 11-2-34-1

Perth

267, 99, 300 and 193 runs for 10,10,3 and 10 wickets

I expect this trend to continue - runs will be scored by the billion while bowlers will toil. Factor in the drought and summer and I would even venture to say that spin will become a factor as the summer progresses. And with no McGrath and Warne and bowlers not able to blast sides out, it is going to be a long summer.

Lots of runs, bowlers not getting due reward,spin and long playing days means attritional cricket. Something India has been doing as well or better than most.

India play at the MCG, the SCG, Adelaide and Perth ( in that order).

Cant wait for the tour to begin!