'Series against India bigger than the Ashes' - Lee

After participating in an intense series with India at home, Brett Lee said that Australia's Test series against India in October would be of more consequence than the Ashes.

"The Australia-India Tests will be bigger than the Ashes," Lee said. "We have grown up watching the Ashes, but the forthcoming series against India is going to be bigger. I consider the four-Test series against India in October as the unofficial Test world championship."

Lee's comments echo a growing belief that, though the Ashes are traditional and have more historical relevance, the series between Australia and India have rapidly acquired a more competitive edge. Australia have won one of the last four series, while India were victors in two, though Australia lead with six Test victories to India's five.

Ashes contests have been more lopsided, with Australia winning the last eight series, and claiming 14 victories to England's five, in the last four series.

Lee attributed India's dominance to the performance of its batting line-up, but said that India were not unbeatable, adding that Australia had set a new standard with their success in Sri Lanka, where they won all three Tests. Sri Lanka's spinners were expected to play a decisive role in the series, but Australia tackled them, including Muttiah Muralitharan, with authority. However, Lee said that India would provide a tough battle on dead pitches that aided spinners.