Wednesday, September 17 2008 -- In the next month the Australian cricket team would begin its series against India. In 2004 Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and displayed their dominance over India. After this trophy up till now the alterations in the Australian team are that they have lost Jason Gillispie, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist. Due to the replacements of all these senior players the current team has a new look. Gilchrist is hopeful that this new team would be a competitive force.

Gilchrist’s opinion

There are four Test matches to be played on the Indian tour and Andrew Symonds would miss all of them. Also Matthew Hayden is disturbed due to injuries. In spite of the absence of these players Gilchrist has ample confidence in the novices. In Mumbai Gilchrist said that it is obvious that the Australian side is less experienced as compared to what they had over the past ten years. Australia always had experienced players in its team. However it should not be inferred that the currently selected players do not have the practice of playing in the Indian conditions. In the past for several years Australia has sent youth teams and A teams to India so that the young generation would be exposed to the facilities and conditions in this country. Thus the current team can take full advantage of this exposure and hence would be very competitive.

Novices in the Australian side

In the past two weeks there have been two first class matches between India A team and Australia A team. Players like Jason Krejza, Bryce McGain, Peter Siddle and Simon Katich were the players who were involved in these matches. These have been included in the 15-man team which would play the Test series against India starting on 9th October 2008 at Bangalore.