India's coach, Gary Kirsten, even suggested next month's four-Test sequel to the 2007-08 Bollyline series would have less tension without Symonds, who is expected to sit out the tour as he receives professional help on the recommendation of Cricket Australia.

Australian paceman Stuart Clark disagreed with Kirsten. "It's a tough one because Symonds is such a larger than life character. I wouldn't have thought so," Clark said. "As much as what happened, people still love to see him playing cricket and people love playing against him and competing against him, because he's that type of person.

"That feeling stuff [between Australia and India], I've said all along it's a media thing. The sides get on well - off the field especially. There'll be a little bit of competitiveness, which I hope is in any game of cricket or any sporting match between two countries. I wouldn't have thought there'd be too much niggle as far as the nasty stuff."

Australian selector Jamie Cox said Symonds's latest infringement would not count against him when he does make himself available.

"As of now Andrew has been given time to sort things out. But we will make a decision [about his selection] when that time comes around," he said. "But the decision to pick him, will surely be on cricketing grounds. It will have nothing to do with whatever has happened recently. Disciplinary issues will have no bearing on that decision."

Australia has been given little more than a training run in the one-day series against Bangladesh in the Top End, which concludes today with the third match after two lopsided wins to the hosts.

Coach Tim Nielsen has loaded the players with heavy training sessions in searing Darwin heat as part of a strategy to build their fitness now and ease off as they arrive in India in three weeks.

"I won't lie and say it's been easy," Clark said. "It's been tough because of the humidity. It's part of playing cricket, it's what the conditions are like in many places around the world where we play, so it's something we really need to get used to."

Australia head to India without an experienced spinning option - Beau Casson having made his debut in the final Test in the West Indies - while options Bryce McGain and Jason Krejza are competing with the incumbent tweaker on the current Australia A tour of India.

Clark said: "Shane Warne's a huge hole to fill and Beau Casson did well in his game in the West Indies, and [Brad Hogg] last year. It's the cards we've got and we have to play them."

Even with the surrounding controversy of their previous encounter, and India's rise to power in world cricket, Clark stopped short of declaring the coming series the pinnacle of Test match-ups.