Jason Gillespie

Former Australian test cricketer Jason Gillespie, who played a major role in Australia's series victory over India in 2004, is convinced the team's current pace attack, although inexperienced, can again turn the tables.

Gillespie, who claimed 20 wickets in the series at 16.15 to help his team achieve their first win in India after 35 years, does not agree with the view that spin alone can succeed in Indian conditions.

Now on the verge of retirement from first class cricket, after the current English county season where he is playing for Glamorgan, Gillespie told the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday the Australians can again exploit a lack of fitness among key Indian batsmen.

The veteran pace bowler said the key component in his team's 2004 win over India was his team's fitness and willingness to experiment with unorthodox game plans.

The 33-year old says there has been no significant improvement in Anil Kumble's team in this regard and he is certain Australia's superior conditioning will prove a crucial factor.

"I heard Ricky Ponting say that they'll probably tactics similar to 2004, and I think that's the right way to go," Gillespie said.

"I remember one of the big things we did was working on the fitness of the Indian batsmen. They're not the fittest blokes in the world.

"Generally they (the Indians) score their runs either walking singles or hitting fours. So we would have three or four sweepers out at different times, and the tactics worked really well. To VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag it was particularly effective.

Terrific planning

"Probably the most enjoyable thing about that tour was the different plans we used. At one stage, you had Glenn McGrath taking the new ball with four blokes on the fence. You had to put your ego to one side, and everyone was happy to do that.

"We did the jobs we had to do as a fast bowling unit, and it worked, I'm sure they'll try something similar again."

Gillespie also believes Brett Lee will play a key role in the outcome of the series.

"Lee will go down as one of the best fast bowlers the game has seen. He looks like a bit of a pretty boy with the blond hair and the guitar, but he's an absolute warrior underneath. You can't imagine what he puts his body through," Gillespie said.

"He's in agony a lot of the time, but he's as tough as they come and doesn't complain. He's a completely different bowler to the one in the 2001 Ashes series. Back then he was trying to do something with every ball, but now he is patient and works to a plan."