How will Tim and co fare?

Victory for captain Roger Taylor's team over the third seeds will take them through to the quarter-finals in April.

But failure to win the tie next February will mean the British team playing off to retain their place among the competition's elite.

Tim Henman led Great Britain to a 3-2 victory over Thailand last month to retain world group status.

Will Britain's boys be able to maintain their winning ways?

The Brits have a good chance of winning if Greg and Tim are fit. If they can play on all three days, then I would fancy their chances. With regards to the earlier message about leaving Greg out of the doubles because of Woodbridge playing - Greg and Tim won the doubles rubber against Sweden, and Woodbridge's doubles partner Jonas Bjorkman was playing for the Swedes, so I don't see a problem. Greg and Tim have a 100% record in Davis Cup doubles so why not carry on playing them?
Paul, Wales

Aussies to win 5-0
Orla, Ireland

Davis Cup matches are unpredictable and the tie against Australia is certainly winnable. The pressure will be on them. OK they have the world number one but Henman will beat him sometime and always gives his all in Davis Cup matches. Rusedski's record is good against Hewitt. Both can beat Arthurs or Philippoussis.

The doubles is also not a forgone conclusion. Henman & Rusedski are unbeaten in Davis Cup doubles and if Greg is rested on day 2 Maclagan has proved to be a strong back-up and will rise to the occasion. Though away, the Brits will have plenty of support from the Barmy Army, it should be an exciting three days. Sweden was a close call and we were unlucky not to squeak a win there, this will be the same but perhaps the result will go our way this time.
Shirley R, UK

The way I see it, Britain's best two players are better than Australia top two. Hewitt in front of his home crowd will win both of his singles matches, but the second player for Australia will lose both their matches. That leaves the doubles: Australia have greater experience here and should win. So, Australia in a close one 3-2.
Brian, Australia

It has got to be the worst draw possible. Had we drawn Russia or even France, we'd stand a chance of upsetting them, either because they underestimated us or because of the inconsistencies within their own team. Unfortunately, as usual, the Aussies will be well up for a tie against Britain and likely to be highly competitive.

Henman has never looked like beating Hewitt, Rusedski can hardly be expected to win two matches against such opposition, and the doubles, even with Tim and Greg, is pretty much a write-off. And as for a scenario where either Henman or Rusedski is injured, I don't want to even think! Australia would of course be able to sustain similar losses.
Tim, England

Australia will overcome the British in February. As it stands, Britain are just not competitive enough in big tournaments. If Greg is fit you may see a point for Britain otherwise I can't see Britain making a dent. Hewitt and Philippoussis (or Arthurs) are all fantastic Davis Cup players and will fight till the death! Not to mention the Aussies doubles team.
Tim, Sydney, Australia

Britain have got no chance. You should stop investing in tennis and put your money into sports that you are good at like ... if only queuing was a sport! But seriously I think you guys are in with a chance, it depends on what surface is chosen and who lines-up. It will probably come down to the doubles, which is where I think Britain's lack of depth will be your downfall.
John Dear, Australia

They will get absolutely slaughtered. Not only do the Aussies have the best player in the world, they are almost certainly going to play on clay, unlike what Jon says. In fact if they play on anything other than clay, I will run round Wimbledom Centre Court naked in July!
Mark, UK

Come on everybody, why that negative tone?! Give Tim and Greg a go. You know, they probably read this page and get really depressed with you lot writing them off. A little gentle encouragement is what's needed, right Tim?
James, Australia

How will Tim and co fare? Easy. 0-5. More chance of the cricket team winning a Test down there this Christmas than us winning a rubber in this match I'm afraid (and that's saying something!)
Paul, UK

Of course the Aussies will start as favourites, but Greg says he likes to play Hewitt, so who knows? I'd consider resting Greg from the doubles on the assumption that with Woodbridge against us, we'd lose it anyway. I reckon we might have an outside shot at upsetting Hewitt once, and maybe sneak a 3-2 win. But I'm not betting my life on it!
Simon Huggins, UK

Hang on! Of all the away ties GB could have got, Australia is one of the winnable ones; they will be favourites of course and rightly so, but the surface choice is unlikely to be clay and more likely to be rebound ace or even grass.

Greg has a good record against Hewitt so there is a chance there, and both our top two players can get wins against Arthurs or Philippoussis. Yes, it is a long shot, yes both Henman and Rusedski need to be fit and at their best, but let's not right them off yet. The draw could have been much, much worse.
Jon, UK

England do not have a chance against the Aussies. Their players are far superior to ours. We do not even have a Grand Slam winner amongst the British players.
Mary Smith, England

They'll lose obviously. They don't stand a chance and anyone that follows tennis whose judgment of Henman and Rusedski's chances against Australia - or any other of the world group for that matter - is clouded by patriotism is fooling him/herself. They are simply not good enough. They never have been and never will be.
Robert Melia Watson, London, UK

British tennis is so devoid of characters and entertainers that I honestly don't think may people care about the Davis Cup. Britain probably won't win, but will anyone be really bothered?
Sanj, UK

It pains me to say that Britain is a second rate tennis nation. We do not have the players or the resources at grass-root level to compete with the Australians and I can't see that changing in the near future. Beat the Australians? We should be honoured to be on the same court as them. Apart from that, good luck Tim and Greg!
Jason L, South Wales

Even being patriotic you have to say we will be massive underdogs. If like the last round, Rusedski is unavailable it will be painful to watch!
Brownie, UK