Who can beat the Aussies?

Australia have added their 14th Test win in a row to their record against the West Indies in the fourth Test in Melbourne.

But, is there a team anywhere that can stop them?

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Returning captain Steve Waugh has guided the home side to another almost predictable win.

There is no question about who is the best anymore, but who can stop them?

England play Australia next summer and after series wins against the West Indies and Pakistan are full of renewed confidence.

But the Aussies still look to have the lead over everyone.

Will it be an off day or a miracle when they are finally beaten?

Can anyone out there stop the Aussies? Tell us what you think?

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Australians are best at the moment but not the greatest. That achievement goes to West Indies. South Africa cannot beat Aussies in Tests because SA is mainly a one day side. Only Pakistan has the talent to beat the Aussies but not in the next year until they change the captain and become professional. India will give the Aussies a tough time in the up coming series but more likely Australia will eventually turn out to be winners.
Kashif Khan, Pakistan

The only team that would give Australia a run for their money is the second string Australian team

  Paul, New Zealand

14 in a row speaks for itself. But, I think that Australia can be beaten and that they are only one of the two best teams in the world, the other being South Africa. They might have it lucky in the forthcoming tour to India because India does not have world-class spinners right now and Anil Kumble was injured in India's last series against Zimbabwe. It is sure though that their winning streak will end in India. If you look at a team as a bunch of talented individuals, then Pakistan would be my favourite. But, they lack self-belief (an attack consisting of Wasim, Waqar and Abdul Razzaq not to speak of the menacing Shoaib Akhtar and master offie Saqlain will give the Aussies or the South Afrcians a run for their money if they are more professional and more confident in their abilities). Where Australia and South Africa score over Pakistan and India (which has simply the best batting line-up in the world if one were to look at it from the point of view of talent alone) is in streamlining their talents with the rigour and discipline of modern professional sport.
Abilash Nalapat, UK

Eventually the winning streak will come to an end in India. However, I don't see India beating Australia in a test match. Though I rate India's batting better than Australia, their bowling is pathetic, probably the worst in the game. I can't see India bowling Australia out twice in a test match.
Srinivas Dasari, USA

The best thing about having a world champion side is reading all the snide comments made by jealous rival supporters. When you don't get these ravings, you're on your way out!
Mal Walker, Australia

The only team that would give Australia a run for their money is the second string Australian team.
Paul, New Zealand

People should stop pointing out any visible detractions in this team

  James McAuley, Australia

The present Australian team is the one of the all time best, no question. But South Africa has the power to stop them. A lot of silly mistakes in the past and some luck have gone in the Aussies favour during the last two or three Aus-SA duels. Also Steven Waugh was at his prime best in these previous tours, I am not sure if he is still the same force now with all these injuries. Beating India in India should not be a very tough job if the Aussies are focussed. ASHES should also be an easy one for Aussies. The main test is going to be against South Africa. But let us give a lot of credit to the present team for what it has achieved.
Sriram Sampath, United States

I cannot believe some of the ignorant, naive and prejudiced comments on this page. People criticise this team for winning the majority of the games in the 13-match streak at home; well the fact is no other team (including India in India) has managed to win 13 games in a row even with the help of home conditions. People say Australia still have not beaten India in India recently; well that is not their fault, they have not played them there for over two years. People should stop pointing out any visible detractions in this team and instead realise that no other team has ever accomplished this, even with all the home advantage and shoddy umpiring that is visible everywhere in the world (yes, even India).
James McAuley, Australia

I fail to see how India have dominated Australia at any stage. And South Africa's record against Australia is even worse. England have the best win/loss ratio of any side against Australia and even that's still negative. Pull your heads out of the sand, take the blinkers off, and give credit where it's due!
Jeff, Australia

Australia have been good enough to beat India in India for years. However, this will be the first time they have a full strength bowling line-up. Last time, the pace attack was led by Kasper. This time, McGrath, Lee and Gillespie will give'em hell.
Chris, Australia

Winning a series on the sub-continent is the true test of cricket mettle

  Chandrasekhar, India

I think the Aussies rule. We can say that they had some help from the umpires but they need more credit than that. They have played dominant cricket over the past few months and I guess they would be prepared for the India tour. The Indians want to avenge the humiliation but with their poor bowling attack it is nearly next to impossible. And for the Aussies it would be a great challenge to maintain their record. Its going to be a series to watch but my money is on the Aussies.
Deepak, India

South Africa is the only team that can beat Australia
Suresh Nair, India

If there is something that will stop the Aussie juggernaut it will be the Indians playing on home turf. Winning a series on the sub-continent is the true test of cricket mettle, keeping in mind the a major portion of the Aussies unbeaten streak came on Aussie soil.
Chandrasekhar, India

If they can beat India in India, then I would say that the Australians really deserve all the fame.
Gary, India

There are two things that are bound to happen, firstly the winning run will come to an end, probably as a result of a drawn match in India and secondly Australia's dominance of world cricket will continue for several more years.
Chris, Australia

As Michael Holding said, the umpiring went 11:3 against the Windies! No one suggests that bad umpiring decisions beat the West Indies. However, it is a reality that most teams have to face in Australia. As most of the 13 wins were in Australia, show us that you can beat India in India and then we'll say you have indeed done well.
Akshay , Colombo, Sri Lanka

No one can salute the Aussies for the way they play their cricket. The sledging, elbowing and everything that they are well known for sadly brings shame to the game of cricket. We saw a fair bit of it during the 3rd Test too. When a touring team plays in Australia , it is not against 11 players they are against but also the crowd, press and sadly...the umpires too! With patriotic umpires like Darrel Hair, Ross Emerson and co., they might even make it 20 in a row! Any other team winning 13 in a row would have deserved more credit than the Aussies as most of the rest would have played the game in the right spirit.
Rohan Goonetilleke, Sri Lankan in Jamaica

In India it's a different ball game

  Sandeep, USA/India

There is no doubt that the Aussies time will come. However, regardless as to what happens going forward, history speaks for itself. The Australian Test side has beaten India and Pakistan both in three straight test matches. England have not beaten them in a series home or away for 14 years. South Africa has not won a series home or away against the Aussies since returning to international cricket. In fact Australia has won more than twice as many games as South Africa over the history of Tests between the two countries. The West Indies have lost the last home and away series to Australia and Sri Lanka have only ever beaten Australia once. And as for members of the sub-continent blaming all of this on umpires, you've got to be joking!
Daryl, Australia

Australia are good team but not the greatest. They seem to think that they are the greatest team in the world. This kind of attitude and arrogance will be the cause of their downfall.
Stephen Thapa, Australia

India will be a struggle for the Aussies, but a loss there would by no means make India a better side. Just like Australia need to perform away from home the Indians would also need to finally start winning some matches away from their "manufactured" spinning wickets. As for the others, South Africa is the only true test while England should be a walk in the park.
Angus, Australia

It is true Australia are a fine cricketing nation. We need to consider, however, the amount of money is going into the sport in these countries. There is nothing more important to Australians than their sport - I believe it is even more important to some than their social justice issues. I wish more effort would go into that!
Marsha Ramroop, UK (WI parents and supporters!)

Like one of your readers wrote I agree they are all quality players, and they fight to win, but just look back and think how the West Indies have dominated world cricket. Now is the Aussies' time so I will believe in the old saying what goes around must come around it's only a matter of time until they lose.
Leonard Williams, U.S.Virgin Islands

Sure enough, the Aussies have great talent but that has not shown its prowess on foreign soil, specially the Indian sub-continent. The Indian tour will be their real litmus test. The real battle is yet to begun.
Pranoop , USA

Right now they are on a roll. But in India it's a different ball game.
Sandeep, USA/India

The Aussies are definitely beatable and it would be arrogant to presume otherwise. Yes, we have a great side with a nice mixture of youth and experience though there are plenty of sides who are capable of beating us - England and South Africa for starters.
David Litchfield, Oz

Shortly, the Aussies will be travelling to India and believe me, it will be a whole new ball game!
Amit, India

Australia still have to beat India in India

  Syed Zia, USA

Of course there is a team to beat the Australians. It may be in the moulding but it's out there for certain. That's one of the wonderful things about the game.
David Anderson, Australia

Australia are truly the champions of the world. South Africa are the only team that have the capability of defeating them on home ground. However, Australia still have to beat India in India.
Syed Zia, USA

There's no doubt that this is a very good Australian side - not just for their for their ability but for their cohesiveness, determination and aggressiveness. I'm afraid the English will not pose a threat this summer - the real test will come when the Australians face the Pakistanis or the South Africans on their home grounds. If they can win these contests, then we can safely say that this is truly a great team.
Richard Pinferi, Australia

I can't see our side being beaten for a while yet. All the guys are in good form and the team as a whole is playing better than any other in the world at the moment. England could take a game or force a draw, but I can't see them coming close to beating Australia in a Test series.
Matt Symes, Australia

No team is invincible

  Greg, Australia

South Africa have the edge over the Aussies in limited overs cricket based on recent performances. Test cricket is an unknown, mainly because South Africa have some new blood yet to be tested against the Australians.
Brad, Australia

No team is invincible - with every win you take one step closer to the next loss. The strength of this Australian team is that they truly are a team - unlike some other sides, they do not rely heavily on just one or two quality players. They are all quality players, they have so many options and there is always someone to step up when things get tough. It will take a good team playing well for a full five days to beat them because they just won't lie down.
Greg, Australia

The English are really improving and it will be a fascinating series next summer.
Jon Winsbury, Australia

What most people shouldn't forget is that this Australian team haven't yet truly been tested by truly competitive opposition in this run of wins. They are an entirely different team at home including some questionable umpiring decisions always seeming to favour them and tipping the balance of tight matches their way.
Eddy Ashar, Australia

"I don't think any team currently playing test cricket can beat the Aussies"

  Feauad, Guyana

South Africa is the one country that can seriously challenge OZ. Despite the Cronje saga, they are a tremendous force in world cricket and are set to play better and better this coming season.
Scott, England

I believe the Austalian's are a particularly good side but not the best side in history. They are can be beaten. If England play correctly I'm pretty confident they can beat them. We should remember that the third test was played between the best side at the moment and the worst side, therefore you really can't judge a side by that.
Richard Hearne, .K

While I acknowledge that the Aussies are the best, their run has not been against the best. It is impossible to judge them against a West Indies side in disarray. Even a poor England side took them to 3-2 in 1997, and may run them similarly close next summer. The only team who can currently provide a stern test for Australia home and away is South Africa. India may also be difficult at home.
Colin, England

"England will win the Ashes. Nasser is exceptional and the team has cohesion

  Name Here

Based on current form and if the games were played on totally equal terms, most countries wouldn't beat Australia. But, because there are so many differing variables outside the game that can effect the outcome a match, it is way too presumptuous to suggest they are unbeatable. And here lies the beauty of cricket.
Lomax, Australia

So the Aussies have won 13 tests .Big deal. They may win two more against the hapless West Indians. But beware of the real Indians. They haven't managed to beat us in India for a long time. We are waiting to be declared the best Test playing nation in three months. Just wait and see!
Sajid S Indra, India

All the teams should aspire to get to the same level as the Aussies. Then they will be able to provide cricket played at an aggressive level to entertain the true cricket fan. Peter Moore, england

Australia are the current World Champs and deservedly so. But I think that South Africa's new young team is shaping to become a viable challenger to the Aussie Test crown.
Achmad, South Africa

"A fully fit South African team, on their home soil, is the only team which can beat this current Australian team"

  Matthew Sweeney, Australia

Yes, Australia is a great side at the moment but there have been number of teams in the past who have seen the similar glory. Then after sometime nature takes its course and the decline starts. I think the soon phenomenon will start occurring to the Aussies as well.
Nafis Rehman, USA

Perhaps England could beat the Aussies. Confidence is so important and England seem to have it at the moment. Arthur Ferry, UK

Unfortunately it appears that the Aussie's are too strong at the moment. However this summer I think that the English could do the job on them. The law of averages have to come into play at some point!
Bob, Scotland

South Africa are the only threat to the Aussies, the rest of test playing nations are way back, and the Windies could have won it but their batting woes are still with them and they continue to depend on Lara. We hope they will bounce back.
Clever Amisi, South Africa

"I'm sure Pakistan playing at their best can easily beat the Australians on any soil

  Dr. Amir Hussain, UK

South Africa can. They're making a lot out of beating the West Indies but everyone has beaten them lately and quite frankly the West Indies are woeful. It is s a pity we can't see South Africa v Australia in tests as we would see just how good Australia are. BR> Peter Hardman, New Zealand

I can remember when the WIndies used to bounce everyone out of their way. They were stopped. No team is on top forever.
Andrew Lees, South Africa

The only team in the world who can beat the Australians is the Australians. They are a class side, with class players, any one of which would walk into any other team in the world. They are capable of playing cricket to suit any match situation. England's weaknesses will be highlighted most severely next summer and unfortunately I can't see things changing. Complacency is their biggest threat.
Tim, England

The Aussies are too strong at the moment for anyone in world cricket. But their record number of test wins is not as impressive as the previous one held by the Windies. They have played weaker opposition. Lets just see what happens this coming summer when they come over to take on the vastly improving England team.
Bob Forman, UK

"For years the Aussies have conned umpires into giving them favourable decisions which often turn the game their way"

  L. Davies, Australia

"If Australia can beat India on their home soil then it would truly be a great achievement as it is the only trophy that has eluded them"
Suleman Ahmad, Pakistan

Most of the 13 test wins that Australia have had, have been on home ground. Lets see what happens when they play away. If they maintain the same winning streak then they are definitely number one.
Adnan Khan, Australia

The Aussies are on a high and can be rightfully called "the world champions" of both forms of cricket. But the law of averages will catch up with them soon and I think the team most capable of doing it is India in India. The Aussies have not won in India and Waugh will certainly be hoping that he will rewrite history. But to tell you the truth Sachin will win his battle against McGrath in Indian conditions and that will mean India will win the series.
Kishore, India

The Aussies are by no means unbeatable in a test match, however over a series it is highly unlikely that any test team can match them. South Africa may have some good players and England may be improving and India are always exceptional at home, however the Aussies have strength and depth that no other country can match. Michael Bevan for example would walk into any other test team, yet does not get a look in for the Aussies.
James, UK

Bring on South Africa vs. Australia. I believe that we will be able to give them a good hiding

  Greg, South Africa

The winning streak will certainly end soon. If not a shock victory by the Windies in the next two tests then definitely the Indians will do it. Waugh and Co. will have to face an Indian team with a very solid middle order on their own turf.
Winston, Singapore

The Australians would do well to remember that pride comes before a fall. They are not the super-team they think they are. England are more than capable of giving them a run for their money next year, and I for one would love to see it.
Stuart Underwood, England

At the moment Australia are the best team in the world. They have the confidence to beat anyone as shown in the last test. But confidence is a fickle thing and an injury or two and the loss of a toss can change everything. If England win the series in Sri Lanka and continue to bring in the right blend of young players I predict a close series that will ultimately return the Ashes to their rightful owners, England.
Chris Coombes, Hong Kong - China

"I vote for England and India, I think they are strong enough to break Australian dominance"

  Dmitry Zemerov, Russia

The Aussie's hasn't proved themeselves in the Sub-Continent. Their last tour in October 1999 to Sri Lanka, (3 test series) resulted in 1-0 to Sri Lanka. Thus the forthcoming tour to India is the one to watch before giving the final verdict.
Pratheepan Rajasingham, Bahrain

The present Australian side is well equipped with the combination of good bowlers and batsmen; the middle order is especially very strong. I think that the South African and Indian teams also have these qualities and may beat Australia.
G.BalajiKrishna, India

There is only one factor that can stop the Aussies now and that is Sachin. He thrives on challenges so don't be surprised if you see Sachin in blistering form against the Aussies in India.
Amandeep Kooner, Switzerland

The acid test for the current Australian team will be a tour of at least two nations. Not a series of home tests. If they can beat South Africa, Pakistan and India in a home and away series then I'll join the choir and sing their praises. They have the bulk of their test wins at home where you always will have at least one umpire favouring the home side. In some cases even the travelling umpire is on their side.
Gerry, South Africa

"I think are South Africa and Pakistan because these two teams have the best attacks and they can beat the Aussies batsman"

  Mohammad Khalid, Afghanistan

The real test will be the tour of India. If Australia can field their strongest team, which would include Warne, Lee and Steve W., as well as a touring Glenn McGrath, they could knock off the Indians in India as well.
Dan Rogers, USA

I believe that success is cyclical. Australia cannot continue to produce great results, as the average age of the team is relatively high. At some stage they will need to rebuild the team with young, inexperienced players. This should present opportunities to countries such as England that are trending upwards in terms of success achieved.
Andrew Haynes, Australia

I will only be convinced that Australia are the best team once they beat top guns like South Africa. I have a big doubt that will happen when they meet next year.
Joel Alexander, South Africa

I think Sri Lanka stand a good chance against the Aussies. I believe when put under pressure they back down. The Windies were in no shape to do so. Another team that looks pretty strong is the South Africans; they have consistently proven to be a very good team in all departments of cricket.
Adrian, USA

"England is going to thrash them in the next ashes series under N.Hussain"

  Sashi, Uk

I think the Indians have the ability to win against the Australians at home ground. Australia v India would be a great series to watch.
Mian Mubashir Hassan, Pakistan

The Australians believe in themselves and their team-mates. Until that belief is broken, no one will dominate as they do.
David Whitely, United Kingdom

OK, Aussies are on fire but one must not forget that almost all of these wins came on home soil. For Aussies the real test will start when they visit India.
Talha Peracha, Pakistan

Most of Australia's last 13 wins are in Australia and it remains to be seen if they can beat India, in their home country.
Rupesh, India

"In order to be called a great team, the Aussie team must beat India in India and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka"

  N. Rabindran, Canada

About five or six of the Australian team would make it into a world team? That means the remaining five or six top eleven world players play for someone else. Therefore, the firepower is out there to defeat them.
William Wompkin, UK

Australia is a team of good players but not great. The Waughs are past their prime. Warne is last century's bowler. The teams' formula is co-operation and I cannot see the English standing up to them. They have too much batting depth. South Africa is the real unknown. I would like to see Australia take on South Africa in a series, perhaps three games in each country.
Stephen Sandow, Australia

The Aussie team has very good all-round strength. But the problem is their batting is dubious on subcontinent turning wickets. Their best batsman are Mark Waugh and Ponting - others just play their effective roles. I will be surprised if they get away on turners in India. But I expect it to be keenly contested.
Calz, Madras, India

There's no doubt that Australia is doing great at the moment. It will be the most unpredictable team that will beat them. That is India. Second team that could toss the Aussie's is New Zealand.
Gautam (in UK), India

"I think Australia's dream run will end in India in miserable way"

  Dr. Riddhish shah, USA

We all know of the nightmares the Indian batsmen gave to the Aussie bowlers. It's wrong to say that Indian pitches are tailor made for spinners. Don't the Aussies have any spinners? In fact they have arguably the best leg spinner in the world in Shane Warne and some of the best batsmen of spin bowling. The pitches cannot be taken as an excuse. The Indians have a young team and new coach and will be pumped up for the contest. It should be interesting to watch, especially as India are the undisputed 'titans' at home.
Katik Reddy, India

I just wanted to respond to the blinkered, unenlightened comments of Mr Rohan Goonetilleke, Sri Lankan living in Jamaica. Where do you get this rubbish? Australian players get a bad rap for overtly and perhaps too eagerly expressing their desire to win. Yet I am sure every international cricketerer who walks onto the ground feels the same way. And when they are under so much pressure to perform, who can blame them?
Mark, Australian living in England

Australia are still short of being called a class team. They have won 13 tests in a row but where and against poor and inconsistent teams like Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
Achyut, India

"I'm an Indian and I still feel that India or Pakistan are nowhere near this team"

  Umesh, NY,USA

No-one can ever answer what is the greatest sporting team ever! However, one can rank sides in the same era. Australia have continued to win at home and abroad for a long time now, and hence head world rankings. Australia deserve to be number one again after being crushed by the West Indies of the 80's and the rebel tour of South Africa. I agree that Australia struggle on the sub-continent, however, their position can only ever be a ranking for each era and on that basis the Aussies are supreme.
Kris Carton, Australia (in UK)

The Aussie's are a good side not a great one. They've played against opponents who were not in form - Pakistan, India and Windies. They've struggled in the sub continent. Lost to India, Sri Lanka, and just about beat Pakistan who have a poor home record. Their true test will come next year in India who've not lost a series against any side except SA in 14 years.
Czar, CA, USA

Australia, are on top at the moment but that will change eventually. Australia were the best in the world in the 70's with Lillie & co then the West Indies took over, it all happens in cycles. It's the consistency that is their best asset at the moment and why they are better then the rest. South Africa are closest to Australia in terms of ability on home & away pitches & on varying conditions. Some of the other comments have referred to Australia boasting about their brilliance, but I think its more the general public>
David, Australia (in UK)

"We have to wait until the result in India, to see whether are truly the best"

  Hardeep, Italy-India

Any team with 13 wins on the trot behind them are going to have supreme confidence. This is clearly reflected in their present form. However it only takes one upset to change things dramatically and that could happen at any time. Sure, they have good players but not invincible by any means and I think England have a good enough attack to bowl any side out twice at home and batters capable of scoring sufficient runs. Lets hope it is 15 out of 15 come next summer, the harder they are the harder they fall!
Nick Andrews, England

I love all this "Aussies have only done it on their home turf" stuff. What rubbish, they have swept five other test-playing nations be it on home soil or not. All five teams, including Pakistan and India fielded 11 players and were beaten fair and square. This is a truly great team. They have proved that and there is no substance for doubting this. Even if they draw or lose a test or two in India this summer, so what? 13 wins on the trot is an amazing achievement
Nick, London, UK

Much as we may not like it they are the class act of world cricket. To all who say they've got to beat SA or Pakistan home and away: they have in their last series against each opponent! The last team to beat them was Sri Lanka at home and they only did so because of rain and freak injuries. India is the one place they haven't won but I believe they will. India have one truly world class player and the rest just make runs on dull Indian pitches as proven by their embarrassing records in countries where the ball bounces above knee high. The run may end but they won't lose a test. England may give them a scare but lets be honest and give credit to a fantastic team.
Paul Samter, UK

I am not Australian but am a keen cricket watcher, and on current form I cannot see any other test playing countries beating them. Perhaps we should see an Australia versus the Rest of the World test for charity. It would be interesting to see how that would unfold.
Carl, UK

"I can't wait to next Summer when England give the Aussies something to think about"

 
Simon Payne, Scotland

The Aussie run will probably come to an end in India. But they will still do far better on Indian surfaces than the Indians would if they were to play the series in Australia. That is why the Aussies are clearly the best team in the world, they are tough, resourceful and adaptable. Their performances don't exhibit the same drop-off as some nations do as soon as they leave their own back yard.
Peter, UK

Surely their winning streak will come to an end. But I can only see South Africa beating them. Let the South Africans gather together after Cronje affair. Then there's always Indians in India. If they can beat Indians in India then they deserve to be called the best cricket team so far since the start of the game.
Rajan, Nepal

The Australians have to beat Sri Lanka, England and South Africa in order to claim that title. The last time Australia met Sri Lanka in a three match series in Colombo in September/October 1999 Sri Lanka won the series 1-0.
Thasneem, Sri Lanka

Beating them will be tough. I don't think they need to prove what they are and what they are capable of doing. They are all together an amazing combination. Best of luck for them.
Naushad, Bangladesh

"Not the Poms, that's a sure bet

  Steve Kitchen, Australia

Of course they can be beaten! The coming series with India and then England will end all this unfounded arrogance. There are too many weak test sides nowadays.
Soo Ying Chow, Malaysia

OK, so the Aussies are doing well. In my opinion only SA and Pakistan can beat them at this time. We all know how the Aussies won against Pakistan last year, many thanks to the Umpires. Watching them play against India in India will be a treat as well.
Omar Ahmed, Pakistan

The team that has the talent to stop the Aussies is Pakistan. They have the talent and skill to match them, and even overcome them. But for that to happen Pakistan have to become more professional.
Mustafa Jafar, Pakistan

When the Aussies come to India next year they will have a tough time winning the series. The Indians are always at their best when they play at home.
Vir, India

"With a lot of improvement the South Africans could beat the Aussies"

  Euan Greer, Scotland

I think the Australians are a very good all round team, but not invincible. I think they should bring on Bangladesh! With the talents of Islam and other emerging players, it will be an interesting contest, (although the result probably inevitable!)
Jahangir Alam, England

Australia will face a very tough series in India. It will be the series of the year. For the guy who talks about records of Indian batsman abroad, he probably hasn't watched the Aussie batsmen dancing to the spinners on our turners! In 98', it was a real whipping. Their pace attack will be lethal this time around. As long their batsmen are vulnerable, we have more than a chance and bring their streak to a full stop!
Satish, India

"Indians are always play best when at home

  Vir, India

In response to Paul Samter (UK) who feels that India has just one world-class player, I'd advise him to check the batting records of Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, both at home and away, and the bowling records of Anil Kumble. Let's not forget what Tendulkar did to Warne two years ago in Bombay and Madras, indeed, what he has been dosing out to him ever since Warne's debut test. The only reason I believe India may not win the series is that the bowling is weak. But that doesn't mean the Aussies will win.
Anirban Mukhopadhyay, USA / India

I think some of the contributors here can give the Australian team a little more credit. Setting aside the winning streak, they have easily been the most consistent test cricket team for the last 5 years. Apart from the series loss to India in India, have they lost a test series to any country since losing to the West Indies at home some time ago? I don't think so. In this time they have beaten amongst others, Pakistan at Pakistan and South Africa at South Africa. I don't think the subcontinent will be an excuse for the series with India.
Matthew, Australia (in USA)

No doubt Australia are the best side in the world today. There has to be a Test Cricket World Cup. Just like there was the Asian Test Championship, where Pakistan showed its dominance in the subcontinent, Australia and the other test nations should be exposed to such a format to prove their might.
Monty, USA

"India will definitely beat Aussies during their tour to India in Feb 2001"

  David, India

Much is being said about the Aussie cricket machine after this stretch of victories. Let us see how they do against India under Indian conditions. If I recall the last time they went to India they were mercilessly thrashed by Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar. Even Shane Warne to admitted he had nightmare's thinking about being smashed all over the ground.
Clint Martin, Canada

Aussies are the best at the moment but having seen them play, I would still have to say that the Windies side of the 70's and 80' s were better. It would have been interesting to see them play each other back then. I think the tour to India will be a tough one but the Aussies have enough quality to win there and they will win in England too, but England will run them a lot closer than in recent series.
Mike Martin, England

I agree with Rohan the Sri Lankan. Yes, Australia are the best team in the world at present, but their attitude is arrogant. Looking at the highlights on Sky, the umpiring seems to be the most incompetent and biased in the world. The commentators wash over the bad decisions. They have no appreciation of how proper test cricket should be played, and to have the caption "fast medium" on the screen when Courtney Walsh came on to bowl was shocking and showed a lack of respect for someone who has taken all those wickets and still bowls at over 80 mph.
Rich, England

"The long, highly motivating winning streak simply implies 'wait and see"

  Amri, Canada

Aussies are on a roll. But the real test begins now. I haven't forgotten the thrashing Warne and co received in India. I have no reason to believe this time it will be any different. If we can come out unscathed from the Indian tour, we'll then call ourselves the best.
Ritchie Arno, Germany/Australia

All arguments will be settled next year in India. They've not won there for 31 years, and that won't change. The Aussie pace attack will make no dent in the Indian batting line-up. Apart from Warne they simply don't have a good spin bowler let alone a support spinner. Warne didn't have a happy tour the last time around, Expect the same result as in 98.
Herman New York, USA

> The Aussies can be beaten if the umpires stand up to their overbearing tactics and give their opponents a fair go. They get away with murder at match after match. How many LBWs do they get? I bet they get far more than the teams they have faced and matches are often decided on such decisions.
L. Davies, Australia

South Africa can and will give them a run for their money. They are the team who can beat them.
Alesha Bailey, Zimbabwe (live in UK)

"Forget the hype, just concentrate on the facts - Australia is the best team in the world"

  Rob Boyes, South Africa

The Australians are without doubt the best cricket team of all time. However, India has beat them comprehensively in India. The Aussies have been exposed in India and I think the same will happen again! Good Luck to the boys.
Desh Premi., USA

Although Australia scored 15 consecutive wins, most of these were achieved on Australian soil. They have to prove their superiority in the sub continent, be it Pakistan or India. By all probability India (Australia will win the next test match with India) will stop Australia's winning spree.
Joel Asingh UK

I cannot imagine India beating Australia under any circumstances. Australia has a mature, well-oiled running cricket machine, while the Indian cricket team usually only performs well occasionally. In test cricket India is merely capable of winning on home turf. I don't see them coming close to a win with Australia.
Harjot Kahlon, USA

"I cannot imagine India beating Australia under any circumstances"

  Harjot Kahlon, USA

All right Aussies have won 13 matches, but compare to the Windies who had won12 matches they are far behind in many aspects of game. Let us see how they perform on so called "manufactured" wickets!
Digant, USA

Somewhere out there is a team that will beat the Australians, but at the moment they are the best. Sure, they might not win in India, but please don't compare the Indian team the Australian's. Away from home the Indian team become are easily beaten.
Peter Haslett, Australia

I think Pakistan are capable of beating Australia because of their unpredictable natural talent.
AMIR.K, USA