A chance to break the jinx

The moment of truth has arrived for both teams to clinch the Pepsi Test series. With such a short break in between Tests, the Indian side will still be packed full of confidence as a result of its historical victory in Kolkata.

It is interesting to note that the Indian selectors have made several unforced changes to the side that gave the whole country a lift at Eden Gardens. By including Kulkarni and Bahutule in the squad, there is every indication that they expect the wicket to provide many opportunities for the spin bowlers.

Within the Australian camp, we have forgotten the disappointments of the second Test and are only looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead. The conditions at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium will most likely be as tough as we are likely to encounter anywhere during the tour. Many of us in this team experienced extreme heat and humidity in Kochi on the last tour in 1998 during the one-day series, so hopefully we are prepared for what Chennai has to offer.

There may be a possibility of change to our side as well. Colin Miller will seriously come into consideration, perhaps at the expense of one of the fast bowlers. It has been tough on both Colin and Damien Martyn not to have played a Test on this trip so far, as they are both terrific players and have always performed well whenever they have been called into the side.

Like Eden Gardens, the stadium here in Chennai has a special place in Australian cricket history for obvious reasons. Any cricket follower knows that this venue played host to the second tied Test match in history, back in 1986. It was great to see the re-match being played in such a fantastic spirit on Saturday between the two sides, and terrific that they were all so keen to help raise whatever funds they could for the Gujarat quake victims.

It was obvious that not only the stories and tales of that famous match have grown bigger and bigger over the passing years, but also most of the players' waist lines as well! So the stage is set for either team to create its own piece of history with a win in this Test.

For the Indians, the incentive is to become only the third team ever to lose the first Test in a three-Test series and then go on to win the final two matches.

For us, we have the chance to erase 30 years of disappointment on the sub-continent for Aussie teams, and to set about creating another succession of Test match victories.

By Adam Gilchrist

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Section  : Sport
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