They were the two pillars of the Australian team,' Harbhajan commented during the unveiling of the Sri Lanka Tri-series trophy here.

'They still have good players but without McGrath and Warne it's not the same side. Test cricket is all about taking 20 wickets and at present Australia is not able to do that. They need wicket-taking bowlers. I think they will take some time to build up the team.'

Asked whether Australia should have played specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz in the last Test at Oval, Harbhajan's repartee had the audience in splits.

'I did not see all the matches. But the way the ball was turning in the last Test, I think Australia would not have lost had I bowled for them!'