MELBOURNE - With an Australian cricket team in upheaval, India might have its best chance in decades to end an unwelcome streak Down Under - it has never won a test series since it began touring here 64 years ago.

And regardless of the outcome, both captains said on Saturday that they'll try to keep the series free from controversy that marred India's last visit.

When the four-test series begins on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar might have an opportunity to give India a solid start towards ending that streak, and create a historic milestone for himself: becoming the first cricketer to score 100 centuries in tests or limited-overs internationals.

Tendulkar warmed up for an attempt at the mark when he hit a stylish 92 in India's drawn tour match against a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI a week ago.

Tendulkar's last international century came in March against South Africa.

Fellow batsman Rahul Dravid has also been in strong form, scoring 1,067 runs in 2011 with five centuries.

But Dravid said he'd trade all the personal achievements for a test series win in Australia.

"I wouldn't have minded scoring five hundreds (fewer) or 1,000 runs less if we could win a series in Australia," Dravid said. "The greatest memory for me now is not necessarily statistical ... it's those magical moments. The series wins in tests stay with you."

Former India captain Kapil Dev believes his side has edged closer to an elusive Australia series win. And he claims former captain Ricky Ponting, who is in a batting slump, is the biggest threat.

The 37-year-old Ponting has not scored a century in nearly two years, has averaged 50 just once in his past seven series and has made 323 runs at an average of 24 in seven tests over the past 12 months.

The 158-test veteran will play in his 15th Boxing Day test after being named to the team on Saturday. Shaun Marsh, who is returning from a back injury and scored an unbeaten 99 in a Twenty20 match this week, was thought to have a strong chance to replace Ponting, but both were named to the starting side.

"I am more concerned about Ricky Ponting than anybody else because he is experienced," Dev said. "If we can control him, we can control the entire Australian team. He has not scored enough runs in the last year, so he is due."

The Australian team is in tatters after losing eight wickets for 74 in a seven-run loss to No. 8-ranked New Zealand in Hobart two weeks ago, New Zealand's first test win in Australia since 1985.

Associated Press

(China Daily 12/25/2011 page7)