Right time for 'younger guys' to step up - Lee

Australia's relative inexperience has been the focus ahead of the Tests against India but Brett Lee, the fast bowler, believes a demanding tour could be the perfect platform for newer players to make an impression. Only four members of Australia's squad have played Tests in India and the team has sought the help of Greg Chappell, the former India coach, for the tour.

"Yeah, we've lost the likes of Glenn [McGrath], Shane Warne, Damien Martyn, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist," Lee said. "But it's a new era for Australian cricket.

"The younger guys have to start somewhere and what better stage than to play here in India? It's a wonderful place to tour - the country, the people, the culture, the cricket's pretty hard work so we have to make sure our plans are in place."

There are four uncapped bowlers in the squad, including spinners Jason Krejza and Bryce McGain. Another man with limited Test experience is Shane Watson, who is likely to replace Andrew Symonds in the starting XI, but Lee believes his time in the IPL will be a huge advantage.

"If you look at the Man of the Series in Shane Watson, I think it's definitely going to help his cause over here," Lee said. "He's had the experience of playing over here for 14-15 weeks."

Lee, who hasn't played a Test in India either, bears the mantle of Australia's strike bowler and has taken 58 wickets at an average of 21.55 in nine Tests since the retirement of McGrath and Warne. He is looking forward to his biggest challenge on Indian soil.

"I know there is going to be a lot of pressure on me as a bowler to lead an Australian attack but that's what I enjoy," he said. "I look at this as being a massive challenge and a great opportunity that I know myself and the rest of the guys are looking forward to."

Lee was on the 2004-05 tour but did not get a chance to play as Australia won the Tests 2-1, their first series victory in India for 35 years. "The reason why the team has done pretty well over the past couple of decades is because everyone gets along on and off the field and gels as a group - [and there is] no difference here to 2004."

Lee believed the fact that several Australians had spent time in the IPL would help relations between the two sides and he was not expecting any grudges to be carried into the upcoming series. Relations between the two teams were strained during India's recent tour of Australia, especially after the Sydney Test.

"The controversy is behind us," he said. "That's happened, we've dealt with that pretty well. It's a new leaf. We're turning over a new page in our book, and that is coming over here to play tough, fair, hard, aggressive cricket."