Waugh not worried

ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 25: Australia's World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh said on Tuesday that India need to be mentally stronger if they are to win abroad, reports AFP.

Waugh, whose team blanked the Indians 3-0 in the Test series, said the inexperience of the younger players in the touring squad put too much pressure on the seniors.

''They've got to learn by this tour and toughen up, I guess, a little bit,'' Waugh said ahead of Wednesday's one-dayer against India at the Adelaide Oval.

''You've got to play better away from home which is, I think, a lesson we've learned.

''We were poor away from home until probably five or six years ago.

''It's really up to the senior players to try and turn that around. But at the same time the younger blokes have got to step up to the plate as well and they haven't really done that on this tour.''

The Indians have won just one Test match abroad since 1986, although they have not lost a series at home in the same period.

Waugh also expressed surprise that the Indian selectors kept Ajay Jadeja out from the one-day squad.

''Jadeja and Sachin (Tendulkar) are India's most experienced players,'' Waugh said.

Jadeja was forced out of the Test series with a shoulder injury, but was ignored for the one-dayers as well despite being fit enough to play domestic cricket.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne, meanwhile, will miss Wednesday's game despite recovering from a side strain which he suffered earlier in the series.

Warne will, however, play against the Indians at Perth on Sunday, the last league match before the best-of-three finals starting in Melbourne on February 2.

''He's good,'' Waugh said of his champion spinner. ''He just needs a few more days bowling in the nets just to make sure it's 100 per cent right.''

Ian Harvey was set to make his first appearance in the series as Waugh rotates his all-rounders in preparations for the finals.

Harvey, rated by his captain as one of the best bowlers in the slog overs, will replace either Andrew Symonds or Shane Lee in the day-night clash.

The game holds little significance for the hosts, who have ensured their place in the finals with 10 points from six matches.

''The all-rounders will probably rotate in the next couple of games and then we've obviously got to pick the best side for the finals,'' Waugh said.

Harvey, who has made 11 one-day appearances, last played for Australia against New Zealand in Sharjah two years ago.

Pace spearhead Glenn McGrath, who was given a match off on Sunday to be with his wife and newborn son, will also return to the side.