Despite a close call, India's batsmen managed to keep their wickets intact and hang on for a valuable draw

As our cricket season ends and a few lucky chappies start to contemplate the millions on offer in the Stanford 20/20, we rather more pure souls can contemplate a vital series on the sub-continent.

Australia have a difficult winter coming up;

• vs. India in India

• vs. South Africa in Australia

• vs. South Africa in South Africa

Yes Sir, this winter will tell us who is the best in the world and shock horror, it may not be Australia.

What problems do they have?

Bowling! No Warne, McGrath. Brett Lee and Stuart Clark lead the attack - the former can be erratic but is quality although yet to play a Test in India, the latter while highly skilled has only ever played one day cricket in India.

No Symonds! - the fishing lad is back home trying to resurrect his career. However, he bats well against spin, bowls medium pace and spin and fields like a tiger. His Test record in the last 12 months was an average of 70.

No spinner! And now Bryce McGain, the first choice, is crocked for the First Test tomorrow.

India have an aging batting line up but everywhere else are hugely competitive.

So what do we expect?

Bangalore

The reckoning is the new pitch should have more bounce but the stats we know are that in 28 years there have been 17 Tests, with 10 results and 7 draws.

Australia have never lost here. India have won 4 and lost 6.

The lowest score in the first innings of a match in the last 4 Tests has been 336 - England 2001.

Pakistan scored over 500, India over 600 and Australia over 400.

Michael Clarke scored 151 on his first match here in 2004.

My belief here is check the pitch early and then look for first innings runs buy (although no spreads are up yet which seems rather odd). Also back the draw at 2.26.

First Test Updates

We flagged a back of runs if the pitch was good and it was - in fact a real good batting track and currently Australia are on for a score in the mid 400's according to the spreads markets. The draw we backed was at 2.26 and midway through the first day it had fallen to 1.75. We should keep trading this draw price. Back now around 2.40 and if all goes well keep looking to trade out around 1.80 or so.

Day Two

We backed the draw again after yesterday's play at 2.40 and now we have the trade we wanted - a lay of it back around 1.9. That is the second time we have made this trade in two days and I see no reason why it should not continue for tomorrow. Australia got the runs we expected - 430 or in the mid-400's as I described it.