No talk about umpires, sledging, racism, poor captains or bad sportsmanship.  Let's talk about cricket.

Ricky Ponting and his No.1 ranked team can set a world record 17 consecutive Test victories with a win in Perth in the third Test. This would be a feat unrivalled by any other cricket team in history. Even Don Bradman’s Invincibles, Clive Lloyd’s magnificent West Indians or Steve Waugh’s all-conquering team never achieved such supremacy. 

Australia marched undefeated through two series against the Proteas – including three matches in South Africa – and won both their Tests in Bangladesh, which was not as easy as it should have been after the home side posted 427 in the first Test and had the Baggy Greens struggling at 93-6 in their first innings. The Ashes were then reclaimed in emphatic style with a 5-0 humiliation of England. Sri Lanka then came and went after being seen off 2-0. 

‘Assuming that the Indian pace bowlers, led by the impressive RP Singh, can utilise the bouncy wicket, they will be confident of taking close to 20 Australian wickets.’


India stand at 2-0 down but they could still tie the current four-Test series, mirroring the feat of the 2003 team in which Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman put on a 303-run partnership to beat the Australians. This was the last time Australia were defeated on home soil. Victory to the Indians would also elevate them to be the second ranked team in the world, which would be a fitting honour given their performances against Australia this millennium.

Given the off field press since the controversial second Test match, this will be a fascinating game of cricket.  Both teams will be fired up and there will no doubt be a lot of proverbial heat at the WACA. However, I do believe that both teams will be under strict instructions from the ICC as well as their own cricketing bodies to play it hard but fair (gentlemen's cricket).

Australia, playing at home on their most feared ground, will be hard to beat. Brett Lee, their premier fast bowler, has been in sublime form of late, receiving ample support from Stuart Clark. They also have the luxury of choosing Nathan Bracken, Shawn Tait or Mitchell Johnson – all Test-level options. This is a pace battery to equal the great West Indian teams, and the pitch will provide ample support. 

Australia's near impregnable batting line-up is in fine touch, with all of their batsmen averaging at least 40. Their fielding outfit is the sharpest on the planet and this gives the Indians at least a 50-run disadvantage in the game – combined with their average running between the wickets.

Doubts remain over the fitness of Matthew Hayden and Brad Hogg – and this could be Australia's only achilles heel. While Australia has cricketing riches at its disposal, no one can replace the world's best opening batsman, and Phil Jaques is still learning the ropes. And if Hogg is out, then Australia will be without a top-level spin option, which will be needed on the final days of a hot WACA pitch.

Assuming the appeal against Harbhajan Singh is not resolved and he is allowed to play, India will be at full strength. Their bowling attack has been solid and their dual spin attack has caused Australia problems. Assuming that the Indian pace bowlers, led by the impressive RP Singh, can utilise the bouncy wicket, they will be confident of taking close to 20 Australian wickets.

India's batting is the equal of Australia's, but they must forge a solid opening partnership. Wasim Jaffar has had a shocking tour and Dravid's batting style is unsuited to the top of the order. Virender Sehwag is an option and is with the squad. India's middle order is as strong as any in the world and Sourav Ganguly has been in beautiful form. However, it is necessary that at least one top order batsmen makes a century with strong support, as Australia's bowling attack seems to take wickets regularly. I would like to see Ganguly, as the more attacking option, opening the batting.

While India will be keen to do all of their talking on the field, I think Australia will be too strong and too focused on that record of 17 consecutive wins. It will be close, but there will be too much class in the home team’s arsenal.

PREDICTION: Australia defeat India by 79 runs.

Ideal teams (in batting order):

AUSTRALIA: P Jaques, M Hayden, R Ponting, M Clarke, M Hussey, A Symonds, A Gilchrist, B Hogg, B Lee, S Clark, S Tait

INDIA: V Sehwag, S Ganguly, VVS Laxman, S Tendulkar, R Dravid, Y Singh, M Dhoni, A Kumble, H Singh, RP Singh, Z Kahn