Australia can defeat India: Waugh
Former Australia captain, Steve Waugh foresees Michael Clarke's men winning 2-1 against India in the Test series starting next month. Australia will square off against India in a four-match Test series starting on December 26.
It's a difficult one, but Australia might spring up a surprise and win 2-1," Waugh said.
Waugh, who was part of the review committee on whose recommendation changes were made to the team set-up, said Australia will take time to gel as a team after having a new coaching staff in place.
"We've gone through a lot of changes in the last six months in Australian cricket. I was part of the Argus review which made a lot of recommendations. Some of those are just being implemented," Waugh told a television channel.
"Micky Arthur is new to the job and there is a whole new group of selectors with Clarke and Arthur part of it. The team is undergoing changes at this period and this might unsettle the team.
Waugh asserted that this was the biggest danger. He reckoned that there are a lot of players who have the talent to beat any team in the world but they are not sticking together for long periods of time.
Asked if it is India's best chance to beat the Aussies in their own backyard, Waugh said at least that is the mindset Dhoni's men should have for the tough assignment.
"I hope they think that way because it wont be that easy. Australia still has world class players, some young players coming in and we are very difficult to beat in Australia, no matter what team we put out in front of our home crowds and home conditions."
Waugh compared the situation to coming in India and playing in Indian conditions. He said that it is difficult for a touring side to win away, particularly in Australia. "A hostile environment for opposition teams, spectators are very one sided and our pitches suit our bowlers more than in any other country," he said.
Recalling the infamous 2008 series in which the two sides were embroiled in 'Monkey-gate' scandal, Waugh hoped that the bitterness has been forgotten.
"I hope that it doesn't play on the minds of the teams. It's good sometimes that you create some tradition and history. The incident that took place in that Sydney Test of 2008 was not a good thing to look back on. It created headlines, a lot of publicity, got people talking about cricket. It was unfortunate it happened and unfortunate the way it was handed and kept going on and on.
But these are two different sides so its best to forget the past and move on," he said.
On whether India has become a more intimidating outfit since the 2008 series, Waugh said, "India have become a serious threat now. When I was playing, India and Australia were two top Test playing sides and that's carried on today as well. Two very competitive sides at the top of world cricket. The Border Gavaskar trophy is pretty special to the players, it's almost on par with the Ashes from an Australian point of view, so all of Australia is looking forward to it," he said.
Waugh felt if the injured Zaheer Khan, who has been provisionally taken in the squad, fails to turn up match fit, India could find themselves in a soup. "The absence of Zaheer would obviously matter as it gives India the edge. He's been a world class quick over the last few years" he said.
Talking about the youngsters in the Indian team, Waugh said they bring with them the element of surprise which might be tough for the Aussies to handle.
"I think Indian bowlers are going to be the surprise element. Just recently watched a bit against the West Indies, so I liked the young fast bowlers India have got - Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron.
"I also liked the two spinners (R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha). They've done a good job and compliment themselves well.
So, they are bowlers the Aussies haven't seen much, so as such they will be a danger," he said.
Categories:
news
0 comments:
Post a Comment