India have a very strong and ageing batting lineup. Which the Australian cricket fans and hopefully the team coaching staff had already worked out.

India also had in the last two tests a very potent pace bowling attack. Including Pathan 23yo, Singh 22yo and Irthan 19 yo

This failed to register on the Australian team radar. Which is why I must question the preparation of Australia's coach Tim Nielsen. And I consider he failed.

If India had been slightly more attacking eg. with Sehwag earlier in this series they probably would have been 1-1 or 2 going into this Test.

Australia is on the ropes.

Umm, have a look at the Aussie batting lineup Acker. The first innings at Perth was the exception to the rule, and Adelaide is not Perth.

Yes it is true the Indian tail saved their team from disaster for the time being, and allowed them to make par.

But i reckon at some stage Kumble will be forced to make a difficult decision in regards to a declaration. They have to win, and they have to give themselves time to do it.

This Aussie team is not going to fade away to a lame defeat, they will be thinking about the win. And i reckon they will.

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The thought police are everywhere..............

Time will tell Seamer.

I have my doubts about Australia in this situation.

And I am very dubious about Nielsen (the coach) fielding positions and bowling changes/ends so far over the past 2 Tests.

And the sides preparation as well..

Australia have got to start taking their catches - that's what is hurting us more than anything.

And i agree with your opinion on tactics. Ponting has made some mystifying decisions that's for sure.

One thing that has always annoyed me about Ponting is how he allows so many runs to be scored to third man. I would much prefer the batsman to score playing good shots, than by getting them with crappy nicks.

Today, he had Lee and Clark going well against the tail with only one slip. That's not what a fast bowler wants to see when running in.

Johnson is a difficult prospect when coming around the wicket and swing them out. Hayden dropped a sitter late on day one using that tactic. Why did they not try it today?

Why have they not employed the bouncer more?

Still, i do have faith in our batsman and i reckon we might just pull it off.

But as you say, we will see.

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The thought police are everywhere..............

The way the pitch is playing i dont see an australian defeat here
even more difficult thing would be an Indian Victory
More realistic one would be a draw(if india does not collapse in the second innings)

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Heat Sucks-Red Death

A fair assessment, and i agree batoutofhell.

But one thing to consider. Kumble has to push for a win, so a second innings declaration and exiting last day could be on the cards.

Another possible, but less likely scenario is an Australian batting collapse, and having to fight for a draw.

It won't be a boring match though, one way or another.

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The thought police are everywhere..............