India, Sept. 16 -- There was a time when an Australian Test team could impose itself before the first ball had even been bowled. Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting led batting orders stacked with authority, while Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Shane Warne ensured opponents were rarely afforded respite.

Allan Donald knew that version of Australia well. During his career with South Africa, he encountered a side that combined technical excellence with an almost competitive edge. The Australia preapaing to tour South Africa now travel with a very different conversation around them.

Their recent home series against Bangladesh exposed vulnerabilities that have become increasingly difficult to ignore. A shock nine-wicket defeat in Da...