The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Melbourne

A test series win over Australia on home soil is the top prize in world cricket and one which is highly coveted by India's veteran players on perhaps their final tour Down Under, says India captain Anil Kumble.

Kumble acknowledged the enormity of the task facing his 16-man Indian squad, which arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday to prepare for a four-test series starting on Dec. 26. India has never beaten Australia in a test series in Australia and that prize remains a major inducement to players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, who are likely touring Australia for the last time."It means a lot, we came pretty close to (winning) the last time we came here," Kumble said of the 2004-2004 series.

"Leading up to the (final) Sydney test match it was 1-1 and we did extremely well in the last test series (to draw), so it's going to be very crucial for all of us.

"Most of the senior cricketers are here on their last tour of Australia, so it's very important we go back victorious," he added. Kumble said it would mean a great deal to Indian cricket to be able to win a series in Australia.

"Not many teams have come here and gone home victorious, so it's a great opportunity for all of us and we look forward to that," he said.

Asked to identify any weakness in the Australian team, Kumble pointed to spin bowling in the absence of Shane Warne. "They miss Warnie, somebody like him, so that's something, an area, we can (exploit)," he said.

India opens its tour with a three-day warmup match against Victoria state starting Thursday, its only match ahead of the Dec. 26 test.

A wrist injury to legspinner Stuart MacGill, which he requires surgery injury, has forced some changes to the Australian side which beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in a test series last month. Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Tuesday that spinner Brad Hogg and fast bowler Shaun Tait have been called up for the Melbourne test, while swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus has been omitted. "Brad Hogg replaces MacGill in the squad of 12, based on his Pura Cup performance to date and his consistent performance for the one-day international team in that form of the game," Hilditch said. "Brad deserves the opportunity to once again represent Australia in test cricket."

Hilditch said Hilfenhaus came into the Australian squad for the first test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane in place of Tait, who was injured.

"Shaun regains his place in the Australian squad, having been our initial selection in Brisbane," Hilditch said. "The final makeup of the starting XI will be determined once we've inspected the conditions at the MCG."