Kumble urges seniors to Aussie glory

8220;Most of the senior cricketers are here on their last tour of Australia, so it8217;s very important we go back victorious,8221; Kumble told reporters after arriving here with the Indian squad to play a four-Test series, beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26.

Kumble said beating Australia in their den is a major incentive for his team. 8220;It means a lot to all of us in the team and also it means a lot to Indian cricket. We came pretty close to doing that the last time we came here in 2003-04. 8220;Leading up to the final Sydney Test match it was 1-1 and we did extremely well in the last Test series to draw, so it8217;s going to be very crucial for all of us,8221; he said.

8220;Not many teams have come here and gone home victorious, so it8217;s a great opportunity for all of us.8221;

India have never achieved a series victory against Australia on their soil and the last time a team beat them Down Under was West Indies in 1991-1992.

What makes the task even more daunting is that the Australians have not lost a Test since August 2005 and are on a 14-Test winning streak at the moment.

However, Kumble felt the absence of a quality spinner made the Australians vulnerable and his team was looking forward to take advantage. 8220;They miss Warnie Shane Warne, somebody like him, so that8217;s something, an area, we can exploit.8221; Veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar, while admitting it may be his last tour to Australia, said the Indian team was confident of a good show. 8220;I think it will be my last tour, I don8217;t know what8217;s in store but I am just going to come and enjoy my cricket. Australia has been a fantastic place, we8217;ve come here in good shape and are looking forward to this tour,8221; he said

Meanwhile, Australia coach Tim Nielsen said the Indians will have to be at their best to challenge the hosts. 8220;It8217;s all great to talk the talk, the real challenge for both sides is to walk the walk come Boxing Day,8221; he said.

8226;Hogg included

Left-arm spinner Brad Hogg was today included in the 12-man Australian squad, announced by Cricket Australia, for the first three Tests of the four-match series against India.

Hogg, who last played a Test for Australia in October 2003, replaced injured spinner Stuart MacGill. Fast bowler Shuan Tait, whose action has been questioned by New Zealand, replaced Ben Hilfenhaus to return to the Australian squad after recuperating from an elbow injury.

Andrew Hilditch, chairman of the national selection panel, said Hogg deserved an opportunity to play for his country. 8220;Brad Hogg replaces MacGill in the squad of 12, based on his Pura Cup performance to date and his consistent performance in One-Day Internationals. Brad deserves the opportunity to once again represent Australia in Test cricket,8221; Hilditch said in a statement.

Hilditch added that the final make-up of the starting 11 will be determined after inspecting the conditions at the ground. The first Test begins at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, the Boxing Day.

Aussie Squad

Ricky Ponting captain, Adam Gilchrist vice-captain, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait.