Test Cricket and evenly matched teams

Two different test matches and two results. Test match cricket is alive and kicking. But, test matches need two evenly matched teams to make it so. With the Aussie domination of cricket in the recent past, competitive test series were at a premium. But results were not. The results came thick and fast whenever the Aussies were involved.
But one tends to remember series that are hard fought between teams which don't have too much of a difference between them in terms of personnel, talent and desire. The two current series being played half across the globe from each other have had just that ingredient in spades. Evenly matched teams going at each other, full throttle. The only difference being an individual performance of such luminance so as to pull the teams apart and force a result. Andrew Flintoff managed to bring England back into the second test but could not inspire the others enough to win it. Graeme Smith on the other hand played a career defining innings to script history for his country.
Sehwag's innings inspired his other teammates to up their game and propel India to a series leveling win. Just his first innings score was the difference between the two teams in that test. While Sehwag has set it up for a barnstorming finale to this series, Smith has probably ended his opposite numbers time at the helm. Lots to look forward to in test cricket.