Australia enter Ashes series below England in world rankings

It was fitting that Sachin Tendulkar hit the winning runs as India managed to turn around a Test match that looked certain to end in a draw.

Sachin Tendulkar played a second innings supporting role to Cheteshwar Pujara as the 22-year-old hit 72 off 89 balls, but Tendulkar still managed a half century and the winning runs to go with his double century in the first innings.

Australia only started their second innings well into day four, and play resumed on day five with Australia 202-7.

The Indian bowling attack managed to take the final three wickets for just 22 runs, and India were set a target of 207 which the Indian top order reached in just 45 overs.

The loss is a huge blow to Australia ahead of the winter Ashes series, but Ricky Ponting’s side continue to be priced at 4/6 to win the series.

Australia have now lost their last three Test matches, something that hasn’t happened since the first three matches of the 1988-89 home series against the West Indies.

The last time Australia went four Test matches without a win was in 1994 when they suffered a loss and two draws in Pakistan, and drew with South Africa in Durban.

But you have to go all the way back to 1984, when Australia suffered a six match losing streak against the West Indies in the Caribbean and in Australia, to witness the last time Australia lost four matches in a row – they are 11/10 to win the first Test.

Confidence is low in the Australian camp and England will need to take advantage of that when they head to Brisbane for the first Test on November 25th – England are 2/1 to win the first Test.

While the Australian bowling attack struggles, Graeme Swann is in fine form and is evens to be England’s leading series wicket taker. See the latest The Ashes betting odds market here.