Warne took 14 wickets on Australia's last tour of India in 2004-05, dubbed their final frontier, as they won 2-1 largely under the leadership of Adam Gilchrist, who was standing in for an injured Ricky Ponting. Also key to that series victory were the performances of Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz. None of them are around this time, but Warne hasn't seen anything to make him think the team is in decline.
"We are getting stronger," Warne said. "If you look at the batting line-up, [Simon] Katich and [Phil] Jaques are fighting for a spot and Michael Clarke is back at the top of his game. Shane Watson can challenge Andrew Flintoff as best allrounder in the world and Andrew Symonds isn't there. Our batting is very strong.
"In the bowling, we all know what Stuart Clark can do, Brett Lee has had a great year and Mitchell Johnson gives you variation. If we can find a spinner it can be as good a side as we have ever had."
Warne was in London for the launch of his new book, Warne's Century, where he picks out the 100 greatest cricketers he played for and against and, while the imminent series in India was a popular topic, it didn't take much for next year's Ashes series to be mentioned. For the first time since 1990-91, Warne won't be involved, but that didn't stop him from having a jibe at the sudden influx of confidence around English cricket since Kevin Pietersen took charge.
