1st Test Report Card

Khan- close to Gillespie for best bolwer in the match. Used the conditions to perfection on the afternoon of the second day to blast India back into the game. Despite what several forummers were saying about it being 'a perfect wicket to bowl on', Australia didn't get anywhere near the same effect when bowling on the wicket relatively soon after. As I said at the time, it couldn't have got much better.
Nehra- had some good spells but couldn't put a run together. Still threatened when bowling to the openers which bodes well as the tests continue.
Agarkar- great support for Khan when the ball was moving around on the Friday afternoon. Started the rot by trapping Langer LBW. With a few more wickets in the next test could really step up. I think probably Indias most threatening bowler on a less bowler-friendly pitch.
Harbajan- Didn't really perform that well, but still looks confident. Probably still a better bet against Australia at the moment on Australian wickets than Kumble. Both for his bowling style and record against Australia.

Gillespie- Easily the standout, but really needs some support at the other end. McGrath at his miserly best or Warne obviously the best foil for him at the moment.
Bracken- Started well with some impressive movement but seemed to tire quickly. Couldn't contain the batsmen in the latter overs.
Bichel- A absolute shocker. Trying to hard? Completely out of form? Who knows. He is a trier and has done the job for us before- normally popping up to take an unexpected wicket. Tough decision to keep him for the next test, but playing Williams and Bracken together would be a big gamble, imho.
MacGill- Played pretty comfortably by the set Indian batsmen, but was the bowler who popped up with both the big middle-order wickets, which can't be discounted. Noone else (bar Dizzy) looked remotely likely to get them at that stage.
Katich- Only given two overs, and was picked for the strength of his bowling as well. Could we be looking at 5 bowlers for Adelaide?

The Australian attack was at it's worst when Ganguly and Laxman were on fire, and there seemed to be no answers. On Australian pitches we need to be prepared for batsmen to get set on hard, drying wickets and have the solutions to get them out. As much as it is difficult to rely on MacGill, that's what we are doing in those situations. We need to change that thinking now that our stocks are a little depleted.

But time to panic after one test? Lee rushed back into the side? Change Bichel for Williams? Tough calls.