India has already made an impact down under

Even before the first ball has been bowled in the much awaited Test series down under, India has already made an impact. Rahul Dravid's, oration at the war memorial got a standing ovation and showed that when cricket skills and education mix, it is a heady combination. That of course doesn't mean that those who don’t have university degrees are incapable of good ideas or illuminating thought.

Some of the shrewdest cricketing brains have had no formal education, but their understanding of the game and the tactics is inspirationally instinctive. They may not necessarily make great skippers, but their take on the state of the game is what good captains are always looking for.

There have been two wonderful speeches delivered this year by two of the most articulate cricketers presently playing the game. If Kumar Sangakkara's speech dwelt more on the game in Sri Lanka and its travails, Rahul Dravid's, was more encompassing the global game and coming from a current player it should not only be heard, but also acted upon.

That was a triumph for India off the field, but the more serious business starts shortly and that is also where Dravid, will have to play his part. He did not have a great outing in 2007-8 and if one goes by the cycle rotation then this trip should be full of runs. He did not have a run filled tour in 1999-2000, but had heaps of runs in 2003-4 so after a rather barren 2007-8 tour, the 2011-12 one should be a terrific way to finish off his last tour of Australia.

New Zealand's win over Australia should work in India’s favour, as the Australians are quite clearly rattled at the way their top batsmen were unable to cope with the moving ball. India has bowlers who may not be express in speed, but who move the ball at a nippy pace and if they don’t get carried away by the bounce and bowl the right length then they also could trouble the Aussie batsmen, like New Zealand's seamers did.

That, Doug Bracewell did not get the man of the match award despite bowling his team to a win has shocked even some staunch Australians. The mom was decided on a sms poll and in such a scenario it was clear that only the home team's players would win. That of course would happen everywhere not just in Australia. There is no harm in having a public choice winner side by side with a winner chosen by another panel. Better, still have a points system like the CEAT rankings has where Bracewell's performance is joint number two and Warner, nowhere in the frame at all.

The winner of the CEAT International Cricketer of the Week this time is Younis Khan for his splendid double century against Bangladesh and the catches that he took too.