Out of form batsman Sachin Tendulkar is poised for a big score in the Boxing Day Test against Australia according to India cricket coach John Wright.

Tendulkar is averaging 12.67 in the Test series so far and made only 36 against Australia A on the second day of the tour match at Hobart's Bellerive Oval. He has made 98 runs in his past four Tests - the only four India has played this year.

Asked if he was worried about the little master's lack of form, Wright said: "No, not at all. He'll be fine.

"He will get some runs (in Melbourne).

"He's just missed out in a couple of Test matches but we haven't played that many this year.

"But from the point of view of the World Cup and one-day competitions he's been outstanding and that form will translate into Test cricket I'm sure.

"He's looking forward to the next two matches."

Wright was prepared to forgive his batsman for making only 245 in reply to Australia A's 5d-311 - his mood lifted a little by the performance of the bowlers in sending the home side to stumps at 3-57, a lead of 123.

"In some ways these are tough games to play," he said by way of excuse.

He lauded the bowlers for a "vastly improved" effort with Lakshmipathy Balaji (2-34) commended for clean-bowling Martin Love (11) with a nasty inswinger.

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