Ganguly: respects Australia
Australia is a fantastic side, everyone knows that.
Sourav Ganguly
Quotes of the week
Sourav Ganguly has warned his India team-mates not to underestimate Australia ahead of their four-Test series.
Australia struggled with both bat and ball during their drawn final warm-up fixture against the Indian Board President's XI in Hyderabad.
The main concern for the tourists is their inexperienced slow bowling options - either off-spinner Jason Krejza or leg-spinner Cameron White is likely to debut in the series opener, which starts in Bangalore on Thursday.
Australia have been hit by the retirements of Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne over the last 12 months, but Ganguly is of the opinion that they remain a 'fantastic side'.
"I hope no one is getting excited by what happened in Hyderabad," said the experienced left-hander, whose outspoken nature has seen him enjoy plenty of battles with Australia over the course of his 109-Test career.
"Australia is a fantastic side, everyone knows that. They will be ready when the first ball is bowled in the first Test in Bangalore on Thursday.
"We will have to be at our best to beat them. They are the world's number one side, but I think India too will be equal to the challenge.
"It should be a very good contest."
Ganguly's team-mate Virender Sehwag, however, has a very different outlook, suggesting India could win the series comfortably - if the pitches are conducive to spin bowling.
"If we play on spin-friendly tracks, the series might go 3-1 in our favour," Sehwag told CNN-IBN.
"In my opinion, they have a quality pace attack but don't have quality spin bowling.
"I have seen their off-spinner (Krejza) who gave 123 runs in 20 overs (in the first innings) against the Board President's XI.
"I think we will go after him."

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| Fixture |
|---|
| Sunday 8th November |
| One Day Int First Match |
| South Africa vs Zimbabwe |
| One Day Int Sixth Match |
| India vs Australia |
| Tour Match One Day Match |
| vs England |
| Monday 9th November |
| One Day Int Third Match |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand |
| Women's T20 Int First Women's Twenty20 International |
| West Indies Women vs England Women |
| Tuesday 10th November |
| One Day Int Second Match |
| South Africa vs Zimbabwe |
| Tour Match One Day Match |
| South Africa A vs England |
| Women's T20 Int Second Women's Twenty20 International |
| West Indies Women vs England Women |
| Wednesday 11th November |
| One Day Int Seventh Match |
| India vs Australia |
| Thursday 12th November |
| Int Twenty20 First Match |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand |
| Result |
|---|
| Saturday 7th November |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| West Indies Women vs England Women West Indies Women won by 1 wickets. |
| Friday 6th November |
| One Day International Series |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand New Zealand won by 64 runs. |
| Tour Match |
| Diamond Eagles vs England XI England won by 185 runs. |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| West Indies Women vs England Women England Women won by 13 runs. |
| Thursday 5th November |
| One Day International Series |
| Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Bangladesh won by 1 wickets. |
| India vs Australia Australia won by 3 runs. |
| Wednesday 4th November |
| Under 19 One Day International Series |
| Bangladesh Under 19 vs England Under 19 Bangladesh Under 19 won by 8 runs. |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| West Indies Women vs England Women West Indies Women won by 40 runs. |
| Tuesday 3rd November |
| One Day International Series |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand Pakistan won by 138 runs. |
| Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Bangladesh won by 6 wickets. |
Andy Flower talks about his early ties to South Africa as England prepare to take on the Proteas.
Winning the Ashes has raised the stakes for Andrew Strauss in South Africa this winter, says Michael Vaughan.
Yuvraj Singh has closed the gap on Sky Sports International Sixes League leader Chris Gayle.
Joe Denly paid tribute to Andrew Strauss after both openers enjoyed a productive day in England's win over the Warriors.
Skipper Andrew Strauss hit an unbeaten 117 as England cruised to an eight-wicket win over the Warriors in Kimberley.
Australia cruised to a six-wicket win in the sixth One Day International to take an unassailable 4-2 lead in the seven-match series.
Tatenda Taibu's century failed to prevent Zimbabwe slipping to a 45-run defeat against South Africa in the first one-day international.
New Zealand are hoping to have a new coach in place by the end of the year with several leading names in the frame.
Comments (3)
Kirpal Panesar says...
Its always nice when Sehwag is confident but the last time he said he felt like he will hit a double century in an ODI game and after that he slumped and even lost his place in the side for a while. Still, I hope he does well, and more so I hope its a good !series with plenty of heat.
Posted 18:39 6th October 2008
Manuvelpillai Prinsly bonypas says...
I think as Sehwag said that India will beat Australia quiet comfortably this time. But I wish this could be the end of many legends in Indian cricket team to leave way for young players. I think the big loser here is Yuvraj Singh. He is an excellent player without much test matches in his account. He should be a regular player in the Indian team.
Posted 16:21 6th October 2008
Vish Sharma says...
Well said Sehwag...we shud not be afraid of Australia no matter what...they are not unbeatable....we did it before in 2001...and they had all the legends playing for them.
Posted 14:45 6th October 2008