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Ron Reed

THE MCG has learned to love Andrew Symonds - and he certainly likes it.

The dreadlocked one kept the crowd of 36,265 entertained for an hour and quarter yesterday, which was a more welcome contribution than might be discerned from the scorebook.

He made only 44, but on a day played out to a predictable script - Australia was always going to spend the day accumulating an unchallengeable lead, thus consigning the contest to an inevitable outcome - Symonds at least provided some light and shade.

There might have been an unspoken but satisfying sub-plot in the mix, too.

Certainly, Symonds' big bat seemed to say something very loudly when Harbhajan Singh entered the fray, his first delivery instantly disappearing into the Members' Stand.

Harbhajan had replaced skipper Anil Kumble, who had received the same rough treatment.

Harbhajan was one of the prime aggressors when the sledging was in full swing during the one-dayers in India recently, with Symonds returning fire freely.

The Queenslander was also on the receiving end of monkey taunts from the crowd, which has inspired an anti-racism crackdown at this match. You wouldn't want the job of policing this one.

The Herald Sun reported yesterday that some Indian fans were offended by chants of "show us your visa" and there was some surprise that nobody got thrown out, booked or banned because of it.

At the risk of under-estimating the problem, it will be a dismal day when something as harmless as that is deemed punishable.

Symonds probably didn't enjoy the Indian experience much but neither does he seem to be the type to let stuff like that get to him. He is a relaxed cricketer these days and it shows in his batting.

That's what happens, of course, once it becomes apparent that you've done the hard yards and proved to yourself and the sceptics - of which there were many, this column no exception -- that you can cut it in the big time.

For Symonds, the breakthrough came at the 'G against England last year when he made a powerful 156, much to his unconfined joy.

The previous year, with his fledgling career under even more pressure, he narrowly avoided the sack with an aggressive 72 and five wickets against South Africa.

Now he's an established player who even admits to captaincy aspirations and says his piece publicly in a newspaper column. Things have changed quickly and comprehensively.

Yesterday he looked perfectly at home on the Australian game's grandest stage, even if the gods were called on to lend a hand.

Well, if not the gods then at least Billy Bowden. Symonds was on eight when the flamboyant New Zealand umpire - are we right in thinking he has toned down the theatrics? - reprieved him with a no-ball call when paceman Zaheer Khan disturbed the stumps.

Another such call negated a good lbw shout from the same bowler.

Symonds responded with a classic cover-drive for four and then a perilous edge between wicketkeeper and slip, both to the boundary. His repertoire is nothing if not eclectic.

Khan finally got his man, but by then Symonds and Michael Clarke had added 82 and the last fragments of hope that the Indians could fight their way back into the contest had disappeared.

Khan's regular no-ball transgressions - 21 for the match - were profligate for a bowler of his experience, and helped create the distinct impression that India is in the trouble it is because it is simply less professional than the Australians.

It shows most clearly in its sub-standard ground fielding, which betrays a middle-aged weariness.

Australia has plenty of 30-somethings, too, but they work hard at it. The Indians apparently do not, perhaps because there is no coach cracking the whip. Recently appointed South African Gary Kirsten has plenty of work ahead.

One of the worst offenders yesterday was Yuvraj Singh, who is only 26, but appeared to be uninterested, perhaps even sulking after his petulant response to being given out for a duck the day before.

For all their star quality, the tourists can ill-afford to have anyone pulling less than their weight, but the reality is that only their two most accomplished players - Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar - have been able to take the game to the Australians.

The upshot is they are condemned to certain defeat, perhaps with a day to spare. That's great for Australian cricket, not nearly so alluring for the fans who have been hanging out for a competitive summer.