Mallett sees spin as key in India

Ashley Mallett, the former Test offspinner, has warned Australia against relying too heavily on their fast bowlers in the Test series in India. Australia have taken two uncapped slow men on the trip but they are expecting the bulk of the wickets to be taken by the pace attack of Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson.

However, Mallett said he would be very surprised if the pitches for the four Tests were not raging turners. Mallett is one of the few Australian spinners to have thrived in India, where he took 28 wickets at 19.10 in five Tests on the 1969-70 tour.

"If they think they are going to win it with pace they won't because the Indians are going to prepare absolute turners," Mallett told AAP. "From what I think might happen they will look at Australia's attack and there are two inexperienced spinners so they will try to pit their two spinners against our two spinners."

India will be calling on the vast experience of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh while for Australia, the Victoria legspinner Bryce McGain is likely to get the first chance as the specialist slow bowler. Tasmania's offspinner Jason Krejza is also in the squad.

"You never know, they are untried," Mallett said. "McGain had a terrific season and the other guy, well figures-wise wasn't that impressive but he does give it a bit of a rip so he has a real chance. But you never know, you throw a couple of guys in the deep end and you see what happens."

Kerry O'Keeffe, the former Australia legspinner, believes McGain, 36, has the potential to make a success of Test cricket in India. O'Keeffe worked with McGain at the Academy a decade ago and has been following his career ever since.

"I'm still bullish about Bryce on those pitches but it's going to be tough," O'Keefe said in the Australian. "I think he can do a job on particular pitches. He's a terrific fella."