Australia's inexperience not a worry - Tim Nielsen

The Australian team believes the upcoming two-Test series against India will be really tough, but its inexperience shouldn't hurt its chances. Australia's likely first XI will have four players - Marcus North, Tim Paine, Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus - who haven't played a Test in India, and a specialist spinner who played only one Test back in 2004.

Coach Tim Nielsen said the inexperience wasn't much of a concern, given that some of those who hadn't played a Test in India had toured the country in various capacities. "I honestly believe it's not just about playing Test matches," Nielsen said. "It's the whole experience - the travel, the fanatical following, the heat, the rain, different food, different culture, different ideas, different ball. Our boys are lucky to have experienced that before.

"We are a better prepared team now. Mitchell [Johnson] has been around for three-four years. A lot of other players have been here before, be it for ODIs, A tours, the IPL or the Champions League. Their understanding of conditions in India and their culture is much better."

One such player is North, even though he doesn't play the shorter versions of the game. "I have played here a lot," North said. "I've toured Bangalore twice with Western Australia and I've been here with the Australia A team before the last Australian Test tour. I've been to the MAC spin academy [in Chennai] a number of times.

"I have had quite a bit of experience in the subcontinent, not at this level obviously. But I have enjoyed all my trips to India. I have enjoyed the challenges of different conditions as well. It's not foreign to me. I know what's coming ahead and I am just looking forward to the series."

Doug Bollinger, one of the bowlers who'll be playing his first Test in India, has played with Chennai Super Kings and Tim Paine was here with the ODI team last year.

Michael Clarke, Australia's vice-captain, said his team was looking forward to the challenge. "Playing against India in any conditions in any form of the game is tough," he said. "But Test cricket here is especially hard. We need to be as well prepared as we possibly can be and that's why we're here so early before the first Test. To get a practice match against a very good Board President's XI team, to get that feel of the conditions under the belt is very important.

"All these guys have played a lot of first-class cricket and some Test cricket," Clarke said. "We just haven't played much Test cricket as a team in India. But we're excited about that. If we can play our best cricket, I'm confident we can beat India in this series."

One of the challenges for Australia will be to not look too far ahead, at the Ashes series that follows their tour of India. North said the team is not running that risk. "Obviously the next seven Tests are pretty exciting," he said. "Each of these Tests is going to be a big one for us. We respect the baggy green, and respect very Test match we play.

"And playing a Test series in India is up there with the Ashes or playing Test matches in South Africa. Especially now, as India is No.1. I am really excited about playing here. That pressure-cooker cricket that India play in their conditions, with their crowds behind them. We all know Test cricket in India is tough, but Australians love tough cricket, we have never shied away. We can't wait for the Test series to start."