Gautam Gambhir showcased his talent in the 2nd T20 but India will need him to do that all this series as they face a gruelling Triangular series with Sri Lanka and Australia. He might be demoted down to 3 to allow Sachin Tendulkar to bat at 2 but if India can get off to a good start Gambhir will be able to play freely which is his natural game. The bowling attack for Australia is almost completely different from the tests except Ryan Harris. Ryan Harris and Brett Lee will have a big task ahead of them in the early overs as they should take the new ball. The key is the wicket of Sehwag who is always a dangerous prospect in the 50 over format.

The MCG is often a surface that the batsmen gets full advantage and bowlers must bowl at their best to do well. The forecast for the afternoon is showers so hopefully they hold off. Shaun Marsh has been ommitted from the ODI squad therefore the Autralian selectors have a big decision which is deciding who will open the batting with David Warner. Matthew Wade showed great talent in the T20′s and he is the tip to open with Warner but other players in the team like Clarke, Ponting and M Hussey have excelled in the role over the years.

More Highlights: India vs Australia Series | Scorecard

Australia vs India, 1st Match
February 5, 2012, Commonwealth Bank Series 2011-12, Melbourne Cricket Ground (D/N)
Umpires: N Llong (ENG) and B Oxenford (AUS) Third Umpire: P Reiffel (AUS)
Match Referee: A Pycroft (ZIM)

Even that achievement required assistance from the elements. Colin Blythe, the revered Kent left-arm spinner, loved nothing better than a wet pitch and he took 15 wickets as Leeds drizzled loyally upon him. There was little point in Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann gazing to the heavens in the hope of a sudden downpour, not in these parts.

Azhar took over the No. 3 batting spot in Pakistan’s Test side from Younis Khan. Today he followed up Younis’ hundred with one of his own. It was a restrained, dutiful innings which left England struggling to stay in contention on a pitch that is expected to turn increasingly sharply as the match develops.

England’s only success before lunch was the wicket of Younis, who added only 12 to his overnight 115. One cover drive against Anderson was as polished as anything in his innings, but he fell ten overs into the day when Stuart Broad had him leg before, extending the record number of lbws in this three-Test series to 38.

More Highlights: Pakistan vs England Series | Scorecard

Pakistan vs England, 3rd Test Match, Day 3
February 5, 2012, Pakistan and England in UAE 2011-12, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Umpires: B Bowden (NZ) and B Oxenford (AUS) Third Umpir

Azhar and Younis met England’s spinners confidently, with the record number of lbws for a three-Test series, 37 and rising, temporarily forgotten as the ball rarely struck pad. Both batsmen read the line confidently, and their footwork was crisp. On the rare occasions when Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann matched the turn found by Pakistan’s left-arm spinner, Abdur Rehman, the batsmen had the skill to adjust to the ball off the pitch.

Stuart Broad hinted at positive intent but he was lbw to Ajmal after Pakistan turned to DRS to overturn Steve Davis’ not-out decision. Broad was straight back to the laptop, analysing his dismissal, seeking answers. Another centimetre and he would have been outside the line. Umpires would never give anybody out on such small margins; technology does. Or at least it does until the guidelines are subtly shifted.

Andrew Strauss’ resistance ended at eight-down, to his most adventurous shot. He had extended his overnight 41 to 56 when he came down the pitch to hit Rehman over the legside and was stumped by Adnan Akmal. It was prolonged reconnaissance for the England captain, 150 balls in all. Graeme Swann swung, was caught in the deep and that was that, another England innings perishing in no time. There is nothing dreary anymore about Test cricket in Asia. Gone are the days of batting inertia with batsmen relying on little more than a thrust forward and a big front pad. Batsmen have to think on their feet and the game is decidedly more interesting as a result.

More Highlights: Pakistan vs England Series | Scorecard

Pakistan vs England, 3rd Test Match, Day 2
February 4, 2012, Pakistan and England in UAE 2011-12, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Umpires: B Bowden (NZ) and B Oxenford (AUS) Third Umpir