NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Australia might have been left as an “unsettled” team due to a few setbacks and sweeping changes in the past six months but former captain Steve Waugh still foresees Michael Clarke’s men winning 2-1 against India in the Test series starting next month.

Australia, a team struggling to retain their aura in a period of transition, will square off against India in a four-match Test series starting on Dec 26.

“It’s a difficult one, but Australia might spring up a surprise and win 2-1,” Waugh said.

Waugh, who was part of the review committee on whose recommendation changes were made to the team set-up, said Australia will take time to gel as a team after having a new coaching staff in place.

“We’ve got through a lot of change in the last six months in Australian cricket. I was part of the Argus review which made a lot of recommendations. Some of those are just being implemented,” Waugh said.

“New coach Micky Arthur, new group of selectors with Clarke and Arthur part of it, so it’s a period of change in Australian cricket and may have unsettled the team a little bit. So it’s probably our biggest danger right now. I see guys out on the park being talented enough to beat any team, but they haven’t been together for a long time,” he added.

Asked if it is India’s best chance to beat the Aussies in their own backyard, Waugh said at least that is the mindset MS Dhoni’s men should have for the tough assignment.

“I hope they think that way because it wont be that easy. Australia still has world class players, some young players coming in and we are very difficult to beat in Australia, no matter what team we put out in front of our home crowds and home conditions,” he said.

Waugh felt if the injured Zaheer Khan, who has been provisionally taken in the squad, fails to turn up match fit, India could find themselves in a soup.

“Absence of Zaheer would obviously matter as it gives India the edge. He’s been a world-class quick over the last few years,” Waugh said.—Agencies