Fragile Aus negotiating tricky transition

A year that started with the humiliation of a first home Ashes defeat in nearly a quarter of a century has also featured Australia's fourth worst test innings score (47) and a first home test defeat to New Zealand since 1985.

It does not get any easier either, with four tests against an India team eager to become the first from their country to register a series triumph in Australia in what will probably be the last opportunity for a golden generation of batsmen.