IND vs AUS: Heat is increasing before the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), which is scheduled to start on November 22. The first match will be held in Perth. India suffered humiliation at home as New Zealand won three match test series with clear dominance. After a 0-3 loss against the Kiwis, India slipped from first position in the World Test Championship (WTC) point-table to second place. Gautam Gambhir coaching side have to win the prestigious BGT if they want to secure their place in the WTC final. No need to say that India is going to face five tough Test matches against Australia.
A threat for team India!
Team India will make its preparations at the WACA Stadium. At the same time, Australia will also carry out their final preparations. Western Australia Cricket chief curator Isaac McDonald told ‘ESPNcricinfo’, “This is Australia, this is Perth… I have prepared a good pace and bounce pitch here.” He also said that he is planning to leave some grass on the pitch to get more momentum.
What he said?
Head Curator on the Optus Stadium pitch conditions for the first Test: [Espn Cricinfo]
“This is Australia, this is Perth, I am setting ourselves up for a really good pace, really good bounce & really good Carry – In a perfect world, I want to emulate last year”. pic.twitter.com/HdM9DXHljy
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 12, 2024
According to MacDonald, “10 millimeters of grass will sufficent. It was a reasonable level for last year’s conditions, allowing the pitch to play well in the early days. The grass increases the chances of more pace and challenging bounce on the pitch.”
Pakistan also suffered
Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat on a similar pitch last year, where they were bowled out for just 89 runs in the second innings and Australia won by 360 runs. In that Test, Australia’s three fast bowlers – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, all together took 12 of Pakistan’s 20 wickets, combined of two innings. In such a situation, India has to be careful.