The ultimate test

Steve Waugh and the Australians have their eyes on India. A scan of Waugh's post-series comments makes that abundantly clear. Talk of the Indian tour, still five weeks and a taxing 10-match one-day tournament away, began even before the competitive fifth Test against the West Indies, when Stuart MacGill (7/104 and 0/88) and Colin Miller (2/73 and 4/102) were said to be competing for the spinners' berth in India.

Afterwards, Waugh revealed with trademark honesty that Australia had set its sights on India as far back as the start of the summer. It is evident where this season's biggest challenge lies for the Australian cricket team.

Despite the record 15-match winning streak, the series whitewash and the accolades and comparisons to great teams of the past, Waugh acknowledges that his side will primarily be judged on what it achieves in India. He could have been forgiven for thinking there is nothing left to prove. But, unwilling to hide behind past achievements, Waugh knows the streak is partly a by-product of playing at home and meeting some weak opponents. India is the ultimate test and a series victory there has been a long-time Australian goal.

The tour will arrive at the end of another arduous Australian summer -- the five-Test series against West Indies was squeezed in over six weeks, with Michael Slater saying it felt like the last Test went eight days and Jimmy Adams voicing similar weary comments -- but if the right players are rested beforehand and a professional attitude adopted, this cannot be an excuse for any poor performances.

A packed one-day tournament takes place over the next month and if the Australian team selectors continue to implement sensible player management, the key players who have leading roles in both forms of the game will be given time to rest. The players may object but it is surely the way of the future. It's hardly likely that the schedule of matches will decrease so if players are financially compensated for periods of enforced rest to enhance their longevity, they should understand the reasoning. It is important to ensure the likes of McGrath, Gillespie, Mark Waugh and Ponting are fit and mentally refreshed for India.

It should be remembered that the last time Australia toured the subcontinent, it lost a three-Test series to Sri Lanka 1-0. That result in September of 1999 was, in fact, the Aussies' last loss anywhere. By employing selective memory it could be brushed off as a rain-marred series, but the reality is that Australia were thoroughly outplayed and if rain had not ruined the final two Tests the result would have been 2-1 to Sri Lanka. That first Test loss is one of only four defeats Australia has suffered since its last trip to India in 1998. Remarkably, Aussie vice-captain Adam Gilchrist is yet to know anything other than victory in his 14 Tests since replacing Ian Healy at the start of last season.

The brand of Test cricket Australia now plays is unique. Two familiar watchwords are "aggressive" and "positive", tenets which have occasionally been carried to the point of impatience, particularly in the batting when it has led to reckless shots. This is potentially Australia's downfall, as batting remains the area most likely to crack under pressure.

Australia's batting statistics from the West Indies series are interesting. They took an upturn in the final Test, but until then had been somewhat shaky. Starts of 4/117 (Brisbane), 4/123 (Perth), 4/105 (Melbourne) and 4/157 (Sydney) in the first innings of four of the five Tests reveal a top order not performing at its best. And this was at home against a West Indian attack which lacked depth and had no individual make a significant impact (Merv Dillon, who missed the last Test through injury, led the wicket-takers with 16 at 29.9).

Perhaps the statistics were not as impressive due to team-oriented ethics of attacking from the outset, but Matthew Hayden (236 runs at 29.5) and Justin Langer (203 at 25.4) both had disappointing series' while the Waughs were the only Aussies to score hundreds. How this win-at-all-costs batting approach will fare in India is one of the more intriguing unknowns.

Another area of focus before the tour will be whether or not Shane Warne is selected. His selection will likely be contingent upon his form in the one-day series, though at this stage he is making all the right noises and will probably be on the plane. That's bad news for Stuart MacGill, who may not to get to test himself against Tendulkar and co. if the touring party includes only 14, as Colin 'Funky' Miller is preferred for spin variation.

What makes the Australian tour of India so compelling from an Aussie point of view is that it pits form against history: The seemingly unbeatable Australian juggernaut versus a history of being unable to win in India for the last 30 years. Australia's dead rubber victory in the third match at Bangalore in '98 was its first Test win -- not a series triumph, just a lone Test victory -- in India since Bill Lawry's side claimed the series there in 1969/'70. That drought is slightly over-rated, though, since there have only been four tours there since that time -- or one every seven or eight years -- including the one-off Test in '96. Still, if the current side is to be regarded as one of Australia's best from any era, then it simply must prove it can win in all conditions.

India want revenge. Australia is desperately keen to prove it can win there. The Aussies are on the way!

Check out Australia's record in India:

Australia one-up on India

Mail Daniel Laidlaw