11 February 2005	Friday	01 Muharram 1426

KOLKATA, Feb 10: India received a shot in the arm before the home cricket series against Pakistan, with legendary former Australian captain Steve Waugh saying the hosts start as firm favourites.

"Pakistan are a very talented side but India start as favourites in the home series," Waugh told reporters on arrival on Thursday.

Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in India in the last week of this month to play three Tests and five one-day internationals.

"India have a strong batting line-up and they now have a quality bowling attack, especially young paceman Irfan Pathan who, it seems, will become one of the best in world cricket," said Waugh, who is to raise funds for Indian tsunami survivors.

Even Waugh's all-conquering side failed to taste success in India, suffering a shock 2-1 defeat in a three-Test series in 2001.

Australia finally clinched their first Test series in India in 35 years when they beat the hosts 2-1 in a four-match series in 2004. They also thrashed Pakistan in a recent home Test series and a triangular one-day tournament, also involving the West Indies.

"Pakistan are a team with a bunch of very talented cricketers but they did not pose much challenge to Australia during the recent series," said Waugh.

"There were moments of brilliance, but they could not sustain the pressure. They surely lacked consistency and could not carry on the momentum. "But I'd still say that they are a very talented side and if they play up to their potential it will be a close series in India."

Waugh also welcomed the International Cricket Council's new ruling allowing bowlers to straighten their arms by up to 15 degrees.

"Previously, the decision on whether a bowler was chucking depended on personal judgement. Different match referees and umpires saw it differently," he said.

"One may still have his own viewpoint on what constitutes chucking, but now at least people know clearly what the rule is. Anything below 15 degrees is legal and above 15 is illegal.".-AFP