The best ever? I don't want to get into that -- it is a never-ending argument and there ain't any way to win that one. I don't want to be drawn into that kind of thing. But I'll say this -- when they write the history of the game and list the great sides, this lot will find mention in that list, no way you can leave us out, and that is a good feeling to have, to know you are part of an elite bunch.

When a team gets on a winning streak like yours, what does it do to your mental makeup, how does it change the way you play your cricket?
Well, for one thing, it gives us enormous confidence, you feel full of a kind of positive energy. The team stops focussing on the negatives -- like, if we weren't doing so well, we would be sitting here worrying about the fact that Brett Lee is injured and we won't have him to throw at your boys, but now, we think of all the guys we have, and we know we are a good team, you reckon you have all your bases covered, you look at the positive side and that kind of mindset affects the way you play the game.

Never mind the 15 wins, says your captain, it is what you do here in India that matters. You go along with that?
I know where Steve is coming from on that one. His biggest trait is, he is a motivator, he believes in giving us all something to work towards, all the time. Getting complacent is what kills you as a team, but with Steve around, there is no way that happens -- he raises the bar on you all the time, he keeps challenging you to better yourself, and I guess that is the main reason this team has been playing like we have, and getting the results we have been getting.

From whatever we see of Steve Waugh, he is an individualistic captain, he's boss, he wants things done his way. So where does that leave you? As vice captain under such a strong leader, what is there for you to do, to contribute?
You are right in that, mate, that Steve knows what he wants, he is the boss and we all know it. But it isn't like, he makes all the calls all the time -- actually, Steve encourages every one of us to talk, to come up with ideas, to discuss things, we are all expected to chip in. It takes a strong man to be able to do that, to let you think for yourself. Tell you what, it ain't always easy -- I mean, he has played so much, he has all that experience and he has achieved such a lot, so how do you go up to the guy and tell him you think something he is doing is wrong? The thing though is, Steve encourages you to do just that, he makes it easy for us to do that. But we also know that he is the final authority, he decides, and that is how it is. Tell you what, mate, when Steve was injured for that one Test and I led the side, that is how I did it too -- I had the guys all come up with suggestions, but when a call had to be made, I made the call, I figured if it worked the team would get the credit and if it failed, the blame was mine but that was fine with me, it is part of what being a captain is all about. I wasn't about to pussyfoot and say it was a team decision and stuff like that -- but by the same token, Steve listens to all of us but push come to shove, it is his call to make, and he makes it his way, and that is how it should be.

You said this tour was going to be challenging -- what aspects of it do you think will really test your side?
Playing in front of crowds like this, for one thing. We get big crowds back home too, but they are our lot, and the stadiums there are not as close packed as it is here. You walk out to play in Mumbai or Calcutta or Madras, it is like you got 100,000 people breathing down your neck, they make so much noise you can't hear yourself think. Absorbing that pressure and focussing on the game is a tough one, that could be one of the toughest parts of this assignment.

Then there is the conditions here -- it's going to be the heck of a lot of hard work, especially for the pace bowlers. Comes to batting, we are naturally strokeplayers, we have to learn to curb that a touch, play more patiently. And for me personally, there is the challenge of standing up to spin for long periods, on tracks that help spinners -- so yeah, all told, this tour could be one tough cookie, mate, but that is what makes it exciting for us.

Talking of batting and the need for patience, Adam, you are the guy who has a real go at the bowling. Do you sometimes wish you were batting higher than seven? Like, ever thought of opening in Tests like you do in the one-dayers?
Yes, well, mate, I'd be lying if I said I didn't have batting ambitions, but it ain't about where I bat, it is what I do with the bat when I get out there. I like getting big scores, one-dayers, Tests, whatever, my own personal moment during the 15-Test streak was that partnership with Justin (Langer) that won us the Test against Pakistan, it felt good to contribute so much with the bat. But about going higher up the order, I don't know -- I look at that list and I find quite a few talented blokes in there, players maybe more talented than I am, and back home in Australia there are four, five guys who were very unlucky not to make this side. So hey, I'd say I am fine where I am, I'm comfortable at seven, I get my chances there and I make the most of them. Open in Tests? Maybe once in a while, mate, as a strategic thing, if the team needs me to -- but not for keeps, it is mentally very demanding to keep wickets for a day, day and a half, then go out there and face the first ball, I wouldn't want to do that for a living.

Series prediction, Adam?
You know that one about counting chickens, mate -- I don't want to get into that. As far as the team goes, we came here to do well, to keep our reputation in tact, build on that if we can, we are focussed on winning here, and we'll do our damndest towards that goal. The history books say no Aussie team has won here in 30 years, we reckon we have the team to do it, we mean to give it our best shot. Series prediction? It will be tough, it will be a hard fight for both teams.

Australian player profiles

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