Whisper it. Australia might be vulnerable. When England whipped their backsides three years ago, Sunil Gavaskar quickly proclaimed that some genuine fault lines had been shown up in their performances. The world waited for the mighty to fall.

The Aussies have spent the last three years dismantling any such fantasies, including an emphatic thumping of the old enemy, an impressive series victory in Sri Lanka, five out of a possible six wins against the South Africans and a 2-1 victory over the Indians in a highly fractious series at the turn of the year.

It is the last series that showed that, if they can get selections and mindsets right, India may have what it takes to rattle New Age Australia. With a guaranteed starting berth for either Cameron White or Jason Krejza - absolutely hammered to all parts in the tour game, there is an innocence to a crucial component in the Aussie machine. Andrew Symonds, who was beginning to come of age as an all-rounder if not as a mature all-round person, may be missed more than most.

Every great team can cope with the loss of superstars, not necessarily by replacing them - Shane Warne is not for duplication - but by keeping the same ethic. Australia exists to win trophies in the same manner that Liverpool did in the 80s and Manchester United continue to do so. If newcomers to the baggy green are in any doubt about what is acceptable, they only have to look at the obsessive drive that compels Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke to better what they already have.

Monitor Clarke's reaction to the recent 3-0 ODI defeat of Bangladesh, a series that could have been an eye off the ball case for some: "Our performances have been spot on, I think our preparation has been unbelievable, been really good. The guys have been very disciplined trained hard, even days before the games, and that will hold us in good stead either for the next one-dayers in the Australian summer or the Test series in India."

It is not the character of the Australians that is in question or their ability to raise their game when others question them. The best teams always find a way, even with what appears a glaring weakness. On the face of it, the spin options seem bare, and they must be secretly hoping that Clarke picks up more than a handful, but it won't keep them awake at night. Warne himself averaged 43 with the ball against Tendulkar and co on their own patch.

In all reality, it is probably the Indians who are more vulnerable in that their sensitivities are a little soft to the touch and their old guard is creaking. Tendulkar and Ganguly must hit their way into form, Dravid needs to build an innings at a decent pace and Dhoni has to start making a more significant fist of things when the war of attrition begins. Only then will their supposedly superior bowling attack have enough to work with.

So much of the real deal comes down to the mind. Do India really believe, as a team, as a unit, man for man, that they can win the series? It's all very well to start playing with more freedom when you are behind, as they did down under, but the Indians need to hit the ground running and stamp their authority. Australians do not like being bossed and the home fans will soon let their side know if they come up short.

Everybody likes a series with a bit of previous to it. Even without Symonds, the eyes and ears of the cricketing world are going to be switched on to this one alright.

Tim Ellis