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Black caps tamed as usual
Most of the test matches are now scheduled for the November - April of the following year. One dayers are slotted in, but every country is involved in the long game during this period.

Australia and New Zealand opened the contests, closely followed by India and South Africa. One very encouraging aspect of test cricket is the increased number of results produced. The game is definitely played in a more attacking style.

In particular the batsmen look to score runs quickly and in the process take more chances. That gives the accurate and attacking bowlers the opportunity to pick up wickets.

The pitches too, on most occasions, are not feather-beds for batsmen. They have to work hard against both pace and spin. Weaknesses of batsmen are spotted, so they in turn have to be well tuned all the time. Of course home teams still hold the advantage and other than the Australians no other team can command the home team on a consistent basis.

At home they are untouchable. The 'Black Caps' got a taste of their medicine. They got whipped in both test matches. The Aussies did it at their own will.

They are so awesome because of their supreme overall strength and the ability to perform in conditions in any part of the world. They believe that being good is not good enough. A constant push to improve performance keeps them ahead of the pack.

Their bowling quartet of Glen McGrath, Jason Gilespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Warne must rate amongst the best ever attack. Often spoken of are the pacemen during the West Indian reign, in the days of Clive Lloyd and the early days of Viv Richards. They were lethal - put the fear into the opposition batsmen and then dismissed them too.

With so much cricket being played sheer pace is not sufficient to blast out batsmen. It is clear that the two absolutely quick Shoaib Akthar and Brett Lee, are not as efficient as many of the others who are far better craftsmen. So, to make big totals against the pace trio of McGrath, Gillespie, Kasprowicz and the spin of Warne is no easy task. Almost all of the few instances the Aussies have lost in recent times, the games have been low scoring. On most occasions the state of the pitch has contributed.

The Pakistan batsmen are overall even lesser experienced than the New Zealanders. For them it will be an ultimate test. Their leading batsmen Inzamam-Ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana will have to bear the brunt of the batting responsibility.

Adelaide is the best batting pitch in Australia. Then Brisbane which is more quicker and bouncier. The New Zealanders got the opportunity to play on those two surfaces and still struggled to get runs on the board.

Perth is considered the quickest and bounciest pitch in the entire cricketing world. Melbourne's deck seams around and has some awkward bounce. Hobart in Tasmania is quite similar, but could seam around even more. Finally Sydney also produces sideways movement and also assists the spinners as the game progresses.

Good batsmen score runs on these pitches. It is a great challenge and a very enriching experience to succeed in these conditions. The Aussies are in outstanding form. They have tamed the Black Caps, now they will do the same to the unpredictable, adventurous Pakistanis.

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