Invincibles expect Ponting's side to match Bradman's

Invincibles: (l-r) Bill Brown, Bill Johnston, Neil Harvey and Sam Loxton © Getty Images

Bill Brown, Australia's oldest former Test player, believes Ricky Ponting's side can copy the unbeaten record of the 1948 Invincibles. Brown played the last two of his 22 Tests on the tour led by Don Bradman, and said the current team had the talent not to lose any of its 23 matches.

"They are an excellent side and the wickets are covered these days, so the weather won't pose a problem," Brown told the Daily Telegraph. "From what I know of the Australian team, they have done all the hard yards, have practised well and they have great ability. How they acquit themselves remains to be seen."

Brown, 92, was a special guest alongside Bill Johnston, Sam Loxton, Arthur Morris and Neil Harvey at a fundraising dinner on Wednesday night to help the Invincibles return to England for the first Test at Lord's on July 21. However, only Loxton, Morris and Harvey are expected to travel. The other surviving member from the tour is Ron Hamence, the batsman who played three Tests.

Harvey said he was surprised no other squad had completed the tour undefeated and Loxton said this side was "perfectly capable" of matching theirs. "With Steve Waugh's team and during the last ten years when England have been down, they still weren't able to do it and I'm not sure why," Harvey said. "They should do it this year I reckon. They are not playing many games, let's face it."