If you remember the Indo Australian 2007-08 series, you can still recall all the drama and events that followed it. With both the teams accusing each others and umpires being biased, even the ICC was in a fix as to what to do. First of all, Buckner was constantly accused of taking wrong decisions. This was proved too, when the third umpire revealed the truth.

If the umpire is unable to decide for sure, he can always refer to the third umpire for clarification. But Buckner did not do this, which resulted in many wrong decisions. Finally after much hue and cry in both India and Australia by the Indian cricket fans, Bucker was replaced in the third test match.

Another story from the series shocked the world when the series was stopped in order to wait for a decision from the match referees. Harbhajan was accused of making a racial comment against Andrew Symonds. Comments are not uncommon and are passed in almost all games. But not everyone takes it that seriously. Andrew formally lodged a complaint against Harbhajan which resulted in another shock for the Indian cricket fans.

With the BCCI too supporting the call for aborting the series, the matter was quickly hushed off by clearing Harbhajan of the charges. Until this decision came in, whole world waited with fingers crossed as to the future of that series. Somehow the series continued without any further major controversies and is now a series worth remembering for ages.

This tour, it seems, is not going to be a game of words. Both the teams are inclined to play with full spirit of the game. Instead of the usual “we will win” dialogs, this time the Australian skipper is in all praises for the Indian team. Even as the team fared badly in the second practice match in Hyderabad, the comment from the skipper says that the Indian team has more experience in cricket that his team. And he agrees with Gavaskar on the statement that the rivalry between the teams is growing which Ponting sees as a good sign for future games.

The Australian skipper says he is looking forward to have a chat with the Kumble in the referee conference. Referring to the Sydney test, this is what he says, “It was during the Sydney Test that things went little out of control but both teams need to realize that they have to play in the right spirit of the game.” This makes it look like this will be a fair and enjoyable series ahead.