The Australians are the obvious favourites

The Indians will be watching the action closely from the comfort of the stands on Sunday when Pakistan and Australia slug it out in the opener of the Carlton & United One-Day Series. In a replay of the 1999 World Cup final, the two teams will meet again. Only this time the fire and brimstone pace of Shoaib Akhtar will not be troubling the Aussies. Instead, Brett Lee will be sending down torpedoes at the Pakistanis.

The Pakistanis will be raring to go, given the 3-0 thrashing they were subjected to at the hands of the Aussies in the recently concluded Test series. The same can be emphatically said for the Indians as well. When India and Pakistan clash, the sparks will fly - as always. Given the heat that has already been generated in the Test matches Australia has played against the two teams from the sub continent, it is difficult to see even one match being less than fiercely contested.

From the Test matches, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar have played themselves into something approaching good batting form. The other two Indian big guns Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly have not made enough runs to inspire any confidence. Robin Singh joining the team will be a boost as he has a fast pair of legs and will be mentally fresh. The morale of the team would have suffered a great deal after the Test series in which they were thoroughly outplayed. Srinath and Kumble continue to be the only two bowlers who the captain can turn to in a crisis.

A look at the Australian side will make it obvious why they are the favourites to win the series. Virtually every batsman has made runs recently. Ponting is in great nick, Gilchrist has been scoring quick runs and even Mark Waugh is sending ominous signals of a return to form. The bowling department is deadly with Lee generating scorching pace. Although the mantle of fastest bowler in the team is not his anymore, McGrath is probably still the most effective and dangerous of the pack. Warne will be a handful on any wicket. Overall, the Aussies are going in to the tournament with a very balanced side. If they get into a winning habit from the start, they will be very hard to stop.

The Pakistanis are smarting amidst all the controversy involving Shoaib Akhtar's action. Waqar Younis is back in the team and has a point to prove. On helpful wickets in Australia, Wasim Akram will move the ball both ways of the wicket and in the air. Saqlain Mushtaq is probably the most effective spinner in the shortened version of the game and will be very difficult to go after. However, this bowling strength is sometimes thwarted by a very brittle batting line up. Saeed Anwar, Inzammam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana will be the batsmen to watch for Pakistan. Moin Khan's innovative methods at the end of the batting order could also prove to be handy. If they play consistently, the Pakistanis will give the Australians a run for their money.

To use a variation of a popular Lawryism, 'it'll all be happening at the Gabba.'