Australia series against India badly-timed, meaningless, says Ian Chappell

“The flaws have become so glaring that at a Lord's Taverners function I attended recently in London, the comments from former players were pointed. ‘What's happened to Australian batsmanship?' was the welcome from past opponents before I received the obligatory ‘Oh, and by the way, how are you?',” he added.



In the absence of injured skipper Michael Clarke, Chappell said Australia would be all the more vulnerable against an Indian team, which dominates on home turf.

“The glaring batting weakness will be exacerbated in India by the absence of Michael Clarke, easily the best player of spin in the Australian side. Without Clarke to guide them and be a steady source of runs, Australia are at risk of again losing in India,” he said.

“While few from the ODI team will be in contention for the Test side, a demoralising loss on the eve of an Ashes series won't help Australian morale, while it will boost England's outlook,” he added.