Nine years have passed since Pakistan's last test win over Australia and there is a depressingly familiar feel about their hopes of ending their barren run.

While the Australians have been ruthlessly crushing everyone in their path, the Pakistanis are badly out of form going into the first Test starting on Thursday in Perth.

Although they are firm favourites, however, the Australians are taking nothing for granted.

"All of us have seen Pakistan be hot and cold, whether it's a tour match or an international game, so we'll be wary of them still," Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist told reporters.

Despite Australia's insistence the series will be close, their domination of world cricket shows no sign of ending.

Top of the world rankings in Test and one-day cricket, they have not lost a home series in over a decade. In 2003, they won the World Cup for the third time, the first country to do so, without losing a game.

They have lost just one of 12 Tests this year. Two months ago, they completed their first series win in India since 1969 and they warmed up for Pakistan by demolishing New Zealand.

Australia's biggest competition often comes from within as players battle for selection in a squad brimming with talent.

"We can keep improving. As long as we keep trying to improve ourselves as individual players every day, then there is no limits for this team," Australia captain Ricky Ponting said.

"We have had things pretty much our own way but Pakistan are a very good side."

UNPREDICTABLE TEAM

Pakistan have long revelled in their reputation as the most unpredictable team in world cricket, brilliant one day, hopeless the next.

The brilliant days have been few and far between lately, however, as they rebuild under captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and new coach Bob Woolmer.

They were beaten by a second-string Western Australia team after collapsing for 83 and crumbled to defeat within three days against the full-strength Western Australia side.

"Obviously we don't look like we're going to beat the Australians," Woolmer said.

"We don't look like we can beat anyone at the moment but I've seen the Pakistan side play like this and I've seen them come right."

There have been some glimmers of hope for the troubled tourists. Opening batsman Salman Butt has shown some encouraging form and express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar poses a real danger on the WACA, the world's fastest and bounciest pitch.

Pakistan also received a timely boost when off spinner Shoaib Malik was cleared to play despite concerns over his bowling action.

Inzamam conceded that his team faced an enormous challenge but was optimistic they could prove the doubters wrong.

"The only way we can prove people wrong is when we play on the field of play, so we're going to just have to work a damn sight harder than we are at the moment," he said.