The Australia-Sri Lanka series holds significance for a couple of reasons. First and foremost lies the question of whether or not Muralitharan will be able to take the 9 wickets that he needs to surpass Shane Warne as the leading wicket taker in test cricket. The Aussies will be determined to deny Murali the record on their home soil. Even though I am a bigger fan of Warne, I think it will be extra sweet for Murali if he manages to get the record on Australian soil. I would love to see how the Aussie public and players react to that.

The other point of significance of this series is that Australia will enter a test match for the first time without Glen McGrath, Shane Warne, and Justin Langer. The debutant Mitchell Johnson, experienced Stuart McGill, and 2 test old Phil Jacques will be filling those big boots respectively and how they all fare is something to watch out for. While I expect the batting to hold together, it is not often that Australia have won a test without McGrath and Warne. I feel Australia's bowling is a lot weaker without the two greats - it leaves a gap of over 200 test matches and 1100 wickets in the Aussie bowling line up.

Even though Sangakkara will be missing tomorrow, I think the Lankans can give the Aussie bowlers a tough fight. Definitely a test match to watch!

The South Africa - New Zealand series hasn't created the same interest around the world especially with India-Pakistan and Australia-Sri Lanka going on at the same time. However, their match tomorrow holds tremendous significance for New Zealand cricket as they enter a new era under Daniel Vettori who will be playing his first test as New Zealand captain.

South Africa go into the match with the same XI that played in the 2nd test against Pakistan, which means that Shaun Pollock misses out on home turf as well. I remember seeing Pollock carry the drinks during the tests in Pak, and he might be doing the same come tomorrow and I don't see anyone make any hue and cry about that. Imagine the consequences had a Wasim Akram or a Waqar Younis or an Anil Kumble been told to do that - voices from all quarters would have been gunning for the selectors and the boards.

The South Africans have been talking about how excited they are looking at life after Pollock. I wonder why the subcontinental teams and fans can't look beyond their aging stars?

All the action begins in less than 24 hours. Stay tuned for updates and let me have your thoughts on the game too, right here on wellpitched.

My bets - Murali breaks the record and the Lankans go 1 up. The Kiwis hold the Africans to a fighting draw. 5 days from tomorrow and we will know.

This got me wondering about how the other spinners have fared in tests played in Australia. See below for yourself. (NOTE: These figures are for the period 1995 onwards, considering that was the time the Aussies' path of invincibility began)

Mushtaq Ahmed turns out to be the only spinner whose average in tests played in Australia is slightly better than his overall career average. Averages of all other leading spinners go higher by a few notches than their career averages. I am as surprised as you might be by the glaring statistics that show that Pakistani spinners, since 1995, have fared relatively better than other spinners in Australia.

When I was writing this I had Daniel Vettori and Anil Kumble in mind, but I was pleasantly surprised by the time I finished compiling the stats.

Murali ranks well below majority of the spinners. Will he be able to turn the tables this series? Or will the Aussies deny him the honour of taking the 9 wickets he needs to go past Shane Warne to become the highest wicket taker in test matches? The first of the two tests gets underway on Thursday and my bet is on Murali shining through, getting those 9 wickets in the 1st test itself, and helping the Lankans win their first ever test match on Aussie soil!