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Rain, rain, go away – come again another day (or where it’s most needed).

Check out the Racing And Sports Preview for the Indian Tests this summer with a betting idea at the end.

AUSTRALIA v INDIA

4th Test

26 – 30 December 2024 @ MCG

What a weird sport we have. So many excuses, so little play.

You can't get on the field when it's too wet, batsman refuse to face up when light beams from the stands or beer snakes interrupt, wind can delay play knocking bails off, etc etc.

And yet despite all that, if both teams desperately crave a win and believe that is realistic, they will play through sleet or snow.

We saw that once in Pakistan when England were anxiously chasing almost in pitch black as the home side slowed tactics. Amazing what creates necessity.

Tying all this in, over rates have always been pathetic but increasingly more so. Umpires are equally at fault. Hurry up the tortoises. Take no prisoners and don't suffer fools.

Perhaps one way is to penalise in a more substantive way. Financial consequences have done little. Penalties for the World Test Championship are treated with scorn. In the age of IPL, hitting most of these million dollar earners in the hip pocket hurts like a slap on the wrist.

The Fourth Umpire notes over rates for penalty purposes, and often how far behind a fielding side is gets displayed on electronic scoreboards.

What about the prospect of impacting materially in the scorebook. Penalty runs are there for running down the pitch for example. 20 runs for every over hurts, or then captaincy suspensions take over.

You could even change the availability of the new ball or the batting side nominate who can't bowl until the bowling side is back on track. That will make some very smart movement between overs.

The punters in the stands are short changed - the punters at home as well. Just bowl the bloody overs please. Imagine a like scenario where a football game goes less than the allotted time, a baseball game less innings, a Grand Prix less laps or a Golf tournament less holes.

It also amazes that players who retire suddenly become global diplomats on these matters, calling for change once they enter the media throng. Yet when they were at their best on field – they couldn't give a continental. It was the result that mattered at that time.

In the amount of play we did see in Brisbane, a result wasn't forthcoming even with the last day chasing. Boy, they can get active when it suits.

As anticipated, India tried to play from in front, winning the toss and bowling. Even after an early wobble, the pugnacious Travis Head counter-attacked and the wristy Steve Smith returned.

445 was too many for the guests to be happy about and at 5-74 it was worse. Even then there were hopes for a surprise result but late order slashing and thwacking saw the Follow-On avoided.

The loss of Hazlewood had impacts across the board. It took such a vibrant asset out of the attack. It substantially added to the workload of Starc and Cummins. And it exposed Lyon's somewhat ineffectual summer.

Now all that could come to some crescendo in Melbourne. Are there any lasting effects? Obviously Boland will be back. Australia might well require a lead come Sydney if it is to win the Trophy back.

Plenty of introspection remains on the batting. Khawaja is getting close now and McSweeney may have been unlucky to run into the quality of Bumrah but his scores are 10, 0, 39, 10*, 9 & 4. It looks as if the selectors will finally get daring and go for the less constant in Konstas.

Cam Green being out has likely saved them making tougher decisions but it's time for Labuschagne to shine and now Marsh plus Head have their own small injury wobbles. The lack of others beating down the doors also leaves status quo most likely.

There certainly is no M Waugh, J Siddons, B Hodge etc sitting on the sidelines with a quintillion first class runs putting on the pressure. Most of them are also trying to ramp 140+kph quickies into grandstands.

India too is under a deal of scrutiny and in flux. Ravi Ashwin's sudden departure, certainly externally, alters some planning. They've played three different spinners in all three Tests so his place was not assured.

Then tack on Rohit's seemingly out of place position, Shubman Gill's struggles and Virat knicking of most leg cutters. The batting has needed the back up from 7 down.

In fact had Jasprit Bumrah not bowled with such a level of venom, consistency and presence, they might be already out of the series. 21 wickets so far has him approaching the best non-Australian record down under.

Changes are obviously required for Boxing Day and an Indian win secures the retention of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In line with their recent records here, India has taken the last two MCG Tests so fear is not something that will be prevalent. Around those games, Australia has won Melbourne Tests rather easily.

Boxing Day itself has been a bit spicy in recent seasons. Bowling on that day has been a lovely recipe for 'bossing' the proceeds. Weather hurt last year but South Africa didn't last 69 overs, England four overs less. Strangely 11 wickets have fallen on the opening day from 2020 to 2022.

Probably in the top 3 batsman in World Cricket at present, what the Travis Head scenario will be could determine the outcome. 89 in Perth has lead into 140 at home and 152 in Brisbane.

A bowling side knows what is coming yet cannot withstand or curtail. Without his impetus, there would be a distinct lack of panache about the batting. Khawaja relied on Warner's attack. There is a lot of sameness and not much excitement at present bar the South Aussie.

If he is impeded in some way, it is advantage India. Bumrah will look at the amount of defending and the lack of attacking and lick his lips.

The toss may well be critical. Expecting the winner of it to send the opposition in for a tap in an early post-Christmas examination. Don't eat loads of pudding.

We had suggested Captain Pat was coming good and we're happy to stick with him. Perth saw him underdone, Adelaide the beginning of the turn and apart from the added workload, Brisbane better.

His overall record sees him average 22 with the ball yet at the MCG it's 35 wickets @ 17. That included 10 last season. With Boland back hitting the length, he can return to the feisty, intimidating ways.

Who ends up in both 11s will influence the way the game flows. A long yet quick series is already taking its toll.

Let's just hope both the weather and the players do their best to keep everyone on the park for as long as possible. The public and the game both deserve it.