Is Resting So Many Players Needed?

Australia has been doing it for some time now and India seems to have suddenly woken up to the fact that its top players need to be rested ocassionally to ensure their well-being for the forthcoming World Cup 2012 and probably, to extend their careers. However, I do not understand the wisdom of resting so many players together. For instance, the Indian team is remarkably short on bowling potential and the Aussies are fielding some sort of an A team! And this is despite the fact that the Aussies are yet to win anything on their Indian trip.

Yes, preparing for the Ashes does seem paramount but doesn't winning matches leading up to a major series the best form of preparation? Australia used to do this in the past too but at that time, they had the kind of bench that could carry-on in the short-term absence of some seniors. I still cannot find anyone in their squad who is even as good as a Ponting or a Mike Hussey so suggesting that they are finding replacements is a bit of fanciful thinking. In this scenario, what is the kind of seriouness attached to the last ODI between Indian and Australia that is to be played in Goa??

Hashim Amla, another quiet achiever in the Dravid mold

Hashim Amla has been an opening for SA in test and ODIs for quite some time now. However, it was only recently that I noticed his averages that were flashed on the TV screen and I was surprised to find out that he averages nearly 48 in his ODI career and his strike-rate too is pretty impressive. In the absence of a regular opener, with Gibbs not being able to sustain his form or fitness, Amla has been a great find for SA, particularly for the captain, Graeme Smith. I guess, most folks don't realize how integral he has become to the SA batting line-up, simply because his presence is without any kind of gimmick, leaving only his performance to speak on his behalf, and I guess, these days, being in this Dravid-like, saintly mold does deprive a deserving cricketer of some due attention. In my opinion, he does fill-in the solidity provided by Kallis whenever Kallis is not around due to his back that is now beginning to bother him on a sustained basis.