PTI
Melbourne, Dec 23: Taking a dig at the ageing stars in the Indian side, former Australian opener Geoff Marsh has said that the tourists' batting line-up will struggle to stand up to the home pacers.
Predicting that India would not win a single Test in the series, Marsh said the visiting team would find it difficult to post big totals and take 20 wickets. "They won't win a Test. They won't make enough runs and they won't take 20 wickets in a match."
"While India has some very good players, they are getting on. I'd like to think it will be a competitive series but at their age they will struggle against our quicks," Marsh, who played his debut and farewell Tests against India, was quoted as saying in The Sunday Mail.
The former Australian coach said in the whole series the Boxing Day Test would be the best opportunity for India to challenge the hosts. "India's best chance is in the first Test. Traditionally, if the opposition out here doesn't get off to a good start that's it, we'll be over them."
"The big mistake India has made is playing just the one tour game to prepare for the (first) Test. Our bowling attack is stronger than it was this time last year. Guys like Shaun Tait, Brett Lee and Mitch Johnson have taken another step forward."
"The bowling from Lee and Tait in the one-dayers (against New Zealand) was unbelievable. That's going back to the old days of Lillee/Thomson, it was frightening," Marsh said.