India series as big as the Ashes, says Lee

[manoj_admlab]

Cricketnext.com Posted on Nov 28, 2007 at 15:30 New delhi: With less than a month to go before India takes on Australia in the first Test at Melbourne in its tour Down Under, pacer Brett Lee has said that an India-Australia is as competitive and as challenging as the Ashes. "We have always said that playing against England in the Ashes is where it's at, but I also think now playing against India is one of our greatest challenges as far as Test match cricket goes," said the Aussie spearhead. Lee, who took 5-47 against India against a Sachin Tendulkar led side a few years ago said that playing at the MCG is always special as he has some real fond memories at the venue. "Time has flown by so quickly and there are some absolutely great memories playing at the MCG, on a team basis and an individual basis," Lee was quoted as saying by The Age. Lee’s statement may have stemmed from India’s super show in Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2003-04 where the visitors gave the champion side a run for their money with the series ending 1-1. India stretched the Australians in the third Test where Steve Waugh playing the his last match managed to salvage a draw for the home side. After the two sides clashed in some extremely intense clashes in the recent past, the Australian side will be waiting eagerly for the India series to reconfirm their superiority. The mind games have already begun with captain Ricky Ponting making a statement some time back that the new Test captain Anil Kumble will be under tremendous pressure in the Australian tour.

[bharat297]

Since 2000 , in India vs Australia tests ... * 12 matches - Australia 5 wins, India 4 wins, 3 draws * 3 series' - India 1 win, Australia 1 win, 1 drawn series Since the new millenium India have improved dramatically as a Test outfit, however this is the ultimate Test ... a strong showing here and there is no doubt that they are no.2 in the world. I cant wait ... awesome series ahead ... hopefully India can suprise everyone.

[maatugaara]

man...tell them to chillax a bit... seems all the aus players and now the coach are way too worried abt us...

[Sachinism]

i remember a few years back one of the aussies said the india series is now bigger than the ashes

[manoj_admlab]

Since 2000 , in India vs Australia tests ... * 12 matches - Australia 5 wins, India 4 wins, 3 draws * 3 series' - India 1 win, Australia 1 win, 1 drawn series Since the new millenium India have improved dramatically as a Test outfit, however this is the ultimate Test ... a strong showing here and there is no doubt that they are no.2 in the world. I cant wait ... awesome series ahead ... hopefully India can suprise everyone.

:two_thumbs_up:

[dial_100]

I know they are feeling the pressure as they are going to find us difficult to beat at home...

[Online]

i hope it does not turn out to be an anti climax! :D India 100 all out at the WACA

[Chaos]

i hope it does not turn out to be an anti climax! :D India 100 all out at the WACA

there is no way we can be out less than 100 with this batting line up, unless match is fixed for $10 million.

[Laaloo]

unless its a mumbai type pitch http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64102.html

[Gambit]

This happened at Sydney: http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65590.html