Pressure the name of the game

Australia are considered the world's best team but history will be against them when they make yet another attempt to win a Test series in India.

Australia are considered the world's best cricket team but history will be against them when they make yet another attempt to win a Test series in India and conquer their Last Frontier.

The run-up to the India tour was far from encouraging when they lost captain Ricky Ponting through a thumb injury and then suffered a shock defeat against hosts England in the one-day Champions Trophy tournament.

Ponting is expected to return after the opening Test of the four-match series, at Bangalore from October 6, knowing that reputation alone will not help his team taste success in India.

India may be currently struggling to win and are also hit by injuries to key players including star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, but remain a tough team to beat at home.

The spin-friendly pitches, vociferous partisan crowds and the hosts strong batting line-up are expected to test Australia, hoping to win their first Test series in India in 35 years.

Pressure is the name of the India-Australia series and the team showing stronger nerves will carry the day.

Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor, Allan Border and Kim Hughes have all failed to tame India in their own backyard since Bill Lawry led Australia to a Test series triumph in 1969.

Agence France-Presse