Former Australian fast bowler and ex-coach of the Pakistan cricket team Geoff Lawson has said Australia's upcoming tour of India could provide the much needed healing touch to the match-fixing controversy engulfing world cricket, courtesy Pakistan's cricketers.

"Cricket is a very resilient sport. What is needed urgently is a tough, hard series of Test cricket. And the game will move on," Lawson told reporters in Mumbai late on Tuesday.

Lawson said Australia's two Tests against the top-ranked Indians next month, followed by three one-day internationals, were crucial for the health of the game.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Lawson, as saying: "This India-Australia series is very important. People in Australia are looking forward to the Ashes. A good, tough and hard series before the Ashes will do a lot to retain people's faith in the game."

"If players play good cricket and the public see good cricket, they will forget what's gone on before. The people want their heroes to play well. There wasn't a hero in this controversy," Lawson added.

Ricky Ponting's Australia will arrive in India on September 21 and play two back-to-back Tests in Mohali (October 1-5) and Bangalore (Oct 9-13).

The Tests will be followed by one-day matches in Kochi (Oct 17), Visakhapatnam (Oct 20) and Goa (Oct 24).

Australia will then return home to prepare for the Ashes series against England starting in Brisbane on November 25. (ANI)