Steve pips Mark for A B Medal

MELBOURNE - Australian skipper Steve Waugh said his Allan Border Medal triumph and his team's record-breaking year will count for little if success does not come on the Indian tour.

Waugh had little time to celebrate his naming last night as the country's cricketer of the year as he prepared to fly out with the rest of the Australian 14-man squad to the sub-continent later this afternoon.

The Aussies, who have won a world record 15 successive Tests, have not beaten India in a Test series there since 1969-70.

Waugh took out last night's medal with 63 votes, one more than twin brother Mark, with Brett Lee on 61.

While honoured to win the award, he said it would soon be forgotten in the harsh environment of India.

"India is where we are all going to be judged and we know that and we want to make sure that is a good tour," he said.

"The Australian season was fantastic but to me I have been looking forward to the Indian tour for a long time and, to be honest, if we don't win in India, much of what happened in Australia won't mean a lot to me and a lot of the guys."

"We are going full steam ahead for the Indian tour and I'm hoping that's where we are going to play our best cricket."

The Aussies arrive there tomorrow and kick off their campaign with a three-day match against India "A" in Nagpur.

The first Test gets underway in Bombay on February 27 with the second and third Tests to be played back to back in Calcutta and Madras.

The Test series will be followed by a five limited-overs matches.