Ganguly warns of tough Australia test

November 21, 2003

Indian captain Saurav Ganguly has urged his team mates to lift their game against Australia in a four-Test series starting next month.

The Indian team departed on Friday for Australia, where they have failed to win a Test since 1981, for an 80-day tour which will also include a one-day triangular series involving Zimbabwe.

"We'll have to raise the level of our game," Ganguly told reporters at Madras airport. "An Australia tour is always very tough. They're a very good team, especially in those conditions."

India, on home soil, stunned Australia 2-1 in 2001 but they have struggled on Australian turf, losing the 1999-2000 three-Test series 3-0 and the 1991-92 five-match series 4-0.

The

main reason for their failure has been attributed to batsmen, accustomed to playing on slow Indian pitches, failing to handle the fast, bouncy Australian tracks.

"Everybody will have to get adjusted to the conditions," Ganguly said. "The goal has to be to do well and to win."

The Australian one-day team, who beat India in the World Cup final in Johannesburg in March, completed a 37-run win in Tuesday's tri-series final over India in Calcutta.

"It's not been a very good run. But I'm sure the boys will bounce back. We're in good shape and raring to go," Ganguly said.

The first Test starts in Brisbane on December 4.

Source: REUTERS
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