Post England win, Team India earns Aussie coach's respect

Sydney, Aug 15 (UNI) Rahul Dravid and Co. would not have dreamt this for sure.

After the World Cup fiasco, Team India did not have the temerity to face the irrate home fans, but now post the first series victory in England in 21 years, even the coach of the mighty Aussies has started strategising how to face the 'poor travellers' when they tour the Down Under later this year.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, Tim Nielsen has been taking more than a passing interest in India's adventures in England these past few weeks.

Expecting a ''competitive four Tests'', Nielsen has taken particular notice of the ageing Indian batsmen who will have come straight from a gruelling series against arch-rivals Pakistan before attempting to become the first country since 1992-93 to beat Australia at home.

''It's interesting. Apart from the two opening batsmen they seem to have gone back to a more experienced line-up,'' Nielsen told the newspaper.

Still, he believes the Indians will face a major challenge in remaining fresh for the Australian summer after the Twenty20 tournament and the series against Pakistan.

''The challenge for them is, I suppose, they've got the Twenty20 world series then they've got the Test series against Pakistan and they come straight to Australia. We will be relatively fresh compared with what they will be and that might be a positive for us. That will test these older players of theirs.'' India tour Australia for a four-Test series, starting December 26 and play a one-day tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka, in February-March.

India managed a draw in the Test series with Australia in their tour four summers ago.

Nielsen feels the Aussies will have the necessary ammo in his fast bowlers to unsettle the Indian batsmen with the prospect of unleashing pacemen Brett Lee and Tait in tandem to exploit the bounce of Australian wickets.

''Two guys bowling at 150 kmh plus, it's an exciting thing,'' Nielsen said.

''Hopefully they are all fit, firing and ready to go. The selectors will have a look at what the best combination is. The great thing is, whether it be (Mitchell) Johnson, Tait, Lee, Stuart Clark, (Ben) Hilfenhaus, there is lots of talent around that is screaming out for the opportunity.'' UNI