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ED Cowan attended the prestigious Cranbrook School, has a book published and is an investment bank analyst.

David Warner was raised in Matraville, a Twenty20 poster boy who loves smashing sixes as much as he does drinking schooners and the punt.

Yet while Cowan and Warner have travelled completely different paths leading into tomorrow's SCG Test, the entire nation will be cheering for them when they open the batting against India.

All eyes will be focused on Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar and whether he can notch his 100th century in the 100th Test at the historic Sydney venue.

But Cowan and Warner - Australia's newest odd couple - will be chasing their own dream of facing the new ball in their hometown Test.

For Cowan, 29, it will be his second Test for Australia after his debut in Melbourne. He was once plucked from the SCG members bar to field for Australia against Pakistan, but refused to wear a baggy green until he had earned one.

Warner, 25, will play his fourth Test and is sure to attack India from the outset with his trademark aggression.

Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert said it was not that long ago the prospect of Cowan and Warner becoming the new Test openers was unthinkable.

"I suppose if you had said to me three years ago these guys would be opening the batting for Australia, it would have been very long odds," Gilbert said yesterday.

Gilbert said there were two moments that allowed both players to turn their careers around.

"Ed still had a year on his contract with us when he decided to move to Tasmania. He had played about 20 (Sheffield Shield) games for NSW and averaging not much more than 25, he felt he wasn't getting the best out of himself and a change of scenery was what he needed," Gilbert said.

"For Dave, he had been sent home from the Cricket Academy for a few misdemeanours. We had a few harsh words with him at the time and said if he wanted to play for NSW there was a required standard of behaviour.

"They are two guys in different ways who have become better players, in Ed's case moving interstate and David taking on board he had to change his wild ways."