Cricket: Fast pitches 'could undo Indians'

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor says India's stellar cast of batsmen could be exposed on Australia's quicker, bouncier pitches after being spoiled by flat tracks at home.

And Taylor believes Australia's young fast bowlers are capable of unsettling India's line-up of all-time greats Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman.

The Indians come into the Boxing Day test at the MCG with three batsmen in their late 30s up against a raw Australian bowling outfit spearheaded by two-test 21-year-old James Pattinson.

But, unlike Australia's ageing Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, the Indian trio of Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman are all still in classic touch.

All average over 50 except Laxman, who averages 47 but has scored more test runs against Australia than any Indian apart from Tendulkar.

Dravid has hit five centuries since June, Sehwag scored 219 in a one-dayer this month, Laxman made 176 against the West Indies last test series and Tendulkar is one away from his 100th international century.

But Taylor believes figures can be a little deceptive.

"They've been great players. I'll be interested to see how they go against this young Australian bowling lineup," Taylor said.

"I don't feel Sachin, Rahul and VVS are getting tested as often as, say, Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey have in recent times.

"They've been tested on wickets that are more bowler-friendly whereas Sachin, Rahul and VV play a lot of their cricket in India where the wickets are generally flatter, they don't bounce as much and don't move off the seam.

"This will be a good test for them and a good test for our fast bowlers. I reckon they are up to it.

"I think it's going to be one of the highlights of the summer to see how those ageing batsmen of India go against the young quicks."

And he backed Ponting who, unlike his Indian counterparts, is struggling for form, having not hit a century in nearly two years.

"It's not that you can't do it any more, you just need a moment when a lucky break goes your way and Ricky's probably that close," Taylor said. "And Boxing Day has been pretty good to him."

At the other end of the career spectrum, Taylor applauded the choice of opener Ed Cowan for his test debut.

Cowan forced his way in through the old-fashioned way of sheer weight of first class runs, with four centuries so far this season for Tasmania, Australia A and the Chairman's XI.

"I love that selection because he's demanded [it]," Taylor said.

"He's hit something like nine first class hundreds in the last two years, he's actually said to the selectors, 'I'm ready to play, give me an opportunity and and I'll make you a hundred."'

- AAP