Cricket wise it has been a quiet week really.

Although saying that, we have the start of the Australia v India Test series- when I interviewed Ricky Ponting when he was over here playing for Somerset, he reckoned this was going to be the greatest Test series ever. A big call.

When he said that though, he probably didn't reckon on his or Sachin Tendulkar's absence. That clearly dilutes some of the quality, but it is still a series to savour.

I don't know about you, but I'm supporting India - although I won't be telling my mate Mike Kasprowicz that -- purely on the rather tenuous and unworthy grounds of envy and jealousy.

I'm just fed up with those Aussies winning and quite enjoy them being brought down a peg or two. It will not be easy for the Indians, though, as they know how focused and psyched up the Aussies are for this.

India to win the series 2-1 and Kasprowicz to grab a couple of five wicket hauls will do me nicely. Oh, and Matthew Elliott to be called up as a replacement and score a hundred too -- not that that would be a good thing for Glamorgan because it might mean his absence next summer but I know how desperate he is to get back in and in my opinion - as I have said in these pages before- he deserves to.

I still rate him as a better player than Justin Langer, much more classy and elegant. Yes, Langer has the guts and determination but are you telling me that Elliott does not possess those qualities too?

Langer was a clear favourite of former captain Steve Waugh, thus the reason why Elliott never got a look in. But things are different now.

We shall see, as we shall with the inevitable flurry of player transfers within the county set up over the next couple of weeks. Already last week we have heard that two former England players, Alex Tudor and Chris Schofield have been released by their respective counties, Surrey and Lancashire.

Mind you, just writing that Schofield is a former international makes me laugh. That was a disgraceful decision to cap him. Not only that, but to award him a central contract, too.

At the time England were desperately searching for a leg spinner because the likes of Shane Warne were doing so well at international level.

That is fair enough - and there is now a carefully planned EWCB (don't forget the W!) wrist spinning programme, from which Yorkshire's Mark Lawson will go to Australia this winter, but that did not mean they had to pick one for the sake of it -- a player who was obviously not ready and never will be now.

If he is signed by another county it is likely to be as an unorthodox, inventive batsman who can bowl a little bit.

The Tudor story is more sad. I have always considered him to be a talented cricketer and a nice chap, too, but injuries have hindered him badly.. If you are in any doubt as to his ability just ask the Waugh twins whom he dismissed on his Test debut in Perth.

I hope he does find employment elsewhere, though it's unlikely to be at Glamorgan. But will Glamorgan make any winter signings? I am not sure they will - unless, of course, their two Australians become unavailable.

As usual, they are commendably backing their own youngsters to come through and as such have placed the players on 12- month contracts to monitor and oversee their progress throughout the winter.

It was noticeable when the youngsters were introduced in the totesport League match against Essex in late season, a number were carrying a bit too much weight. A hard winter in the gym should sort that out.

One signing I have heard about is Keith Newell, not as a player but as coaching co-ordinator at the indoor centre at Sophia Gardens, replacing Richard Almond who has been promoted to centre manager.

Newell, who has been a success at Abergavenny since finishing with Glamorgan, has been working as a fitness instructor at the David Lloyd Centre in Cardiff.

It was great to be at Pentwyn CC's junior presentation evening this week. I always enjoy going there, for they are a fine club with an excellent junior set-up due to some hard working and extremely dedicated coaches like Mike Daniels.

Thankfully there are many others like him in the Gwent area, which is why East Wales cricket is so strong, and I will see most of them next Thursday at the Gwent Youth presentation evening at Croesyceiliog.