CALCUTTA, 16 July 2003 — India skipper Saurav Ganguly conceded yesterday his team faced a tough task against formidable Australia in an away Test cricket series later this year.

“To be honest, it’s going to be a tough series for us,” Ganguly said of the four-Test series starting in Australia in December.

India will then take part in a triangular one-day series, also featuring Zimbabwe.

“Australia are a very good side and they’re ahead of us. It’s going to be a real test of our ability and skill in Australia,” said the Indian captain.

India had a disastrous tour of Australia three years ago when they were blanked 3-0 in a three-Test series under Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy.

Ganguly said he was hopeful his team would be able to raise the level of their performance against the world champions this time.

“The Australian players are in great form, but I’m hopeful we’ll be able to lift our game against them. It’s important not only for me, but also for the country, that we play and compete well against them,” he said.

India have not won a Test series outside the subcontinent since 1986, when Kapil Dev led them to victory in England.

Ganguly said he was confident his team would put in a better display in Australia, especially after having performed remarkably well in recent times.

“We won a one-day series in the West Indies, clinched the one day trophy in England and then shared the (rain-hit) Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka last year. We had an outstanding year,” said Ganguly.

Ganguly’s team also made it to the World Cup final in South Africa in March before losing to Ricky Ponting’s Australians in a one-sided contest. India then shared a tri-series with South Africa in Bangladesh following the rain-marred final.

“We have to keep the momentum going in Australia,” said Ganguly. India’s next assignment is a two-Test home series against New Zealand in October and a triangular one-day series, also involving Australia.

Ill-Health Wasim

Leaves Hampshire

In London, Wasim Akram is quitting Hampshire halfway through a one-year contract because of ill health, the English county said yesterday.

“Wasim, 37, who is a known diabetic, has suffered ill health in the past few months and is very sad to be leaving,” said a Hampshire statement.

The Pakistan all-rounder, who announced his retirement from international cricket in May, had intended this season with second division Hampshire to be his last in first-class cricket but has missed three of their eight championship matches.

Hampshire’s director of cricket, Tim Tremlett, said: “Wasim has proved to be a very valuable and popular member of the team and we are very sorry to be losing him at this stage in the season.”

The county are expected to try to find an overseas replacement for Wasim, one of the club’s two permitted overseas players along with Australian batsman Simon Katich.