MELBOURNE, February 19: The Australian captain Mark Taylor leads his team to India tomorrow for a tour which may prove a defining moment of his successful reign.Under Taylor, a resolute opening batsman and attacking leader, Australia has reached the summit of world cricket.
He has triumphed in England, South Africa and West Indies of the leading nations, but notably absent from the honour roll are India and Pakistan.
Australia's last victory over either of its subcontinent rivals was 28 years ago when Bill Lawry's team beat India 3-1 in the 1969-70 season. Australia has not won a Test in Pakistan since the 1959-60 season but will get the chance again later in the year.
Taylor used the pending subcontinent challenge as extra motivation while his career hits the skids during last year's tours to South Africa and England.
His ability to win Tests despite poor personal form was the only reason he held his place, and he has since responded with centuries at home against New Zealand and South Africa andtwo more successful series.
"I was thinking about our recent record the other day and we've beaten the West Indies away, South Africa away, England away and the last time we went to Sri Lanka, we won as well so our recent away record has been pretty good," Taylor said today.
"But the only places we haven't won in are India and Pakistan and we get the chance to rectify both this year. I think that will hold us in good stead and it certainly ensures we will have plenty of motivation," he added.
Australia's poor record against India is excused in part by a recent lack of tours there. It lost a one-off test in 1996 but the most recent series was in 1986-87 when it had two draws and a tie.
Steve Waugh is the only player remaining from the three-Test tour but Taylor said many of the others had played limited overs cricket there.
"Remember we won the World Cup there in 1987 and we were runners-up in 1996 when most of our matches were played in India so our record there has been pretty good," saidTaylor.
Australia's major concern is the absence of main strike bowlers Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie because of injuries.
The pace attack will be led by Michael Kasprowicz and Paul Reiffel with assistance from newcomers Adam Dale and Paul Wilson.
With medium-pacer Reiffel having the most experience, it is hardly an attack which will cause any trembling within India's batting ranks.
Leg spinner Shane Warne is set for an enormous job leading the attack. His performance in the recent Sydney Test against South Africa was the reason it took a 1-0 victory.
Warne was rested from a low-key tour to New Zealand, where Australia played four limited overs games, in a bid to freshen him up after a demanding domestic season. It culminated in a tired performance in the Adelaide Test against South Africa.
"I think it was a good decision by the selectors to rest Warney from the New Zealand tour and knowing Shane I'm sure he has either had his feet up or been down at (the) beach. He did look jaded in Adelaidebut I think you will find he will come good in India," added Taylor.
Australia's first game is a three-day clash against Mumbai starting Feb 24 while the first Test starts in Madras on March 6.
The Tests will be followed by a triangular one-day series against India and Zimbabwe.
The team: Mark Taylor (captain), Steve Waugh, (vice-captain), Greg Blewett, Adam Dale, Ian Healy (wicket-keeper), Mike Kasprowicz, Darren Lehmann, Stuart Macgill, Ricky Ponting, Gavin Robertson, Paul Reiffel, Michael Slater, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Paul Wilson.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
