Mumbai, Oct. 23 (ANI): Ahead of their seven-match ODI series against India, Australian cricket team practiced hard at the nets on Wednesday here.

Indian cricket team has already departed for Baroda for the first match of the series.

Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting said that Australia are looking forward to carry the momentum from this month’s Champions Trophy success into the series with India, starting on Sunday.

Ponting said that absence of Michael Clarke has put his team on disadvantage as far as experience is concerned.

Clarke was forced to withdraw from the Champions Trophy with a back injury. Australia will also miss their first choice wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who is undergoing rehabilitation after finger surgery, as well as left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken.

Australia won a one-day series 4-2 on their previous visit two years ago.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has said that the hosts (India) are a difficult side to beat at home.

As for Indians, batsman Yuvraj Singh, who missed the Champions Trophy with a broken finger, was named in the 15-player squad with the hope that he would be fit to start the seven-match series.

Indian will also miss pacer Zaheer Khan.

Zaheer, recovering from a left-shoulder injury, has spearheaded the Indian bowling attack and he was conspicuous during the World Cup T20 as well as in the recently concluded Champions Trophy in South Africa. (ANI)