Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq says Australia will struggle to beat India in the Boxing Day Test because the home side does not have any world-class bowlers.
Razzaq, who is in Australia playing for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, says India deserves favouritism and predicted a tough time for the Australians against the world's number two-ranked Test nation.
His theory is perhaps proved by the Australians recalling paceman Ben Hilfenhaus to a 13-man squad named for the match at the MCG - his first sniff of Test action since failing in the Ashes series.
Razzaq believes an attack led by youngster James Pattinson and Peter Siddle is a far cry from Australia's glory days when Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne spearheaded a deadly bowling line-up.
"I believe Australia doesn't have world-class bowlers like McGrath, Shane Warne and Brett Lee and that will be difficult," Razzaq said on Wednesday.
"India are (aiming) to be the world champions and they will give a tough time to Australia."
Razzaq hopes the Renegades can use their first home match to right a BBL campaign which started badly with a weekend loss to Adelaide Strikers.
The Renegades host Perth Scorchers at Docklands on Thursday night, with most eyes set to be on Scorchers batsman Shaun Marsh if he plays.
Marsh, who was named in Australia's Test squad, needs to line up for the Scorchers in Thursday night's match to prove his fitness for Boxing Day.
A final decision on his participation in the T20 match will be made on Thursday.
Renegades captain Andrew McDonald said his team was stung by its first-up loss, but had watched with interest the Scorchers also lose in their opening match.
"There are definitely a couple of weaknesses we'd like to exploit that were identified in their loss to Hobart on Sunday night," McDonald said.
"Having said that, we've been working to fine-tune our own game these past few days and I'm confident the boys will be much better for the run come tomorrow night."
Star batsman Brad Hodge will not play, with coach Simon Helmot erring on the side of caution to let him fully recover from a hamstring injury.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, australia First posted December 21, 2011 19:05:20
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