This one promises to be even bigger than Miss Saigon —- the ‘sumptuous, sizzling and spectacular’ blockbuster running in this festival week here. The bigger attraction will be starting on Thursday — just a few metres from the city opera house —- at the Adelaide Oval cricket ground. The fourth Test match starts in this city of churches and Chappells, and the legacy of Sir Don Bradman. The Don’s last years and his cricketing feat are well documented in the museum here.And after recording his first duck in Tests, Michael Hussey is back at his “favourite ground” where he averages 315 in the two Test matches.Hussey acknowledges the work of Indian bowlers but warns the Australian team is determined to move on and hit back in Adelaide. “You can’t go forever without losing. We’ve got to move on and look forward to Adelaide. They (Indian seamers) are good bowlers and, like any other bowler in the world, you treat them with respect. They had their day against us in Perth. We never underestimate any bowler and we treat whoever we are playing against with the utmost respect. We prepare very, very well against every team,” he said.With this wicket expected to take turn, it will be the spinners who are expected to call the shots. So once again, it will be a crowded close-in area, and the combination of ‘Kumble-Dravid’ coming to the fore a lot more. Dravid is joint second with Stephen Fleming at 166, in catches taken, and is not very far off from 181 of Mark Taylor. India’s fielding coach Robin Singh provided another interesting aspect to this new world order of ‘c Dravid b Kumble’.“Rahul Dravid, I believe, happens to be our best close-in fielder. Fielding has a lot to do with experience. A younger guy may not be able to judge the bounce coming off Anil’s bowling. Rahul, VVS and Sachin have all played for a long time with him. Rahul have also played with him in south zone matches, so there’s a lot more familiarity which is important,” said Robin.Dravid too admitted that being in slips for Kumble was great challenge. “The ball comes pretty quickly, sometimes it sticks, sometimes not. It’s a great challenge and I love these little challenges and who doesn’t want his name to be added to a record?” Dravid asked with a smile? The former Indian skipper has held 54 catches to Kumble.Robin said it was good to have senior players around the bat, to put pressure on the batsman. “These guys definitely have some impact. Take even Australia for instance. Ricky Ponting stands sometimes at silly point¿he need not do that. At times, its only for the effect. Guys like Sourav Ganguly and VVS have put their hands up and said they are willing to field close-in. It’s difficult for one guy here in Australia to field whole day in any position especially to a bowler like Anil Kumble. To stand at short leg, when he is bowling, in Australian conditions where there is a lot of bounce is not easy,” he said.With India axing all the seniors from the one-day unit due to poor fielding abilities, Robin felt it was a close call —- missing experience in batting and being brilliant in field. “You can look at it both ways. You need batting experience in Australia, given the conditions. They are professional players who know what is required under Australian conditions. But, if you think of youngsters, it is about how you want to go ahead with the younger guys. There is no doubt that they are better fielders, so in that sense my job is made easier.” In this tour, India have fared better than Australia in terms of catches taken, and Robin, with all the old, safe hands, would want that touch to continue at Adelaide. India have a good history at this ground. Now they have a chance to add a fresh chapter here.
