IND vs AUS LIVE: IND AUS Nagpur Test – Australia are yet to decide on their bowling combination after three days of practice in Alur. The reason is they fear India’s deceptive techniques. The practice pitch in Alur, Bengaluru is no indication of how the wicket will play in Nagpur. Hence, Australia are keeping their cards close to its chest before the 1st Test starts on Thursday. Instead, they have put all four spinners on standby for the Nagpur Test. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
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The only guaranteed starter in Australia’s spin department is Nathan Lyon. But three others — Mitchell Swepson, Ashton Agar and Todd Murphy.
“We’ve got plenty of options here (with) finger spin, wrist spin, left arm (pace) when (Mitchell) Starcy comes back. We’ll obviously pick the bowlers that we think are going to take 20 wickets. But how we split that up, we’re not 100 per cent sure yet,” Pat Cummins said.
IND vs AUS: Pat Cummins says ‘UNDECIDED’ on bowling combination for Nagpur Test, all 4 spinners on STANDBY, Check OUT
Instead, Australia will take a call on the bowling attack when they reach Nagpur. While the prevalent idea is that Australia will use two spinners to partner four seamers, Cummins refused to spill the beans.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a given. Obviously, it’s very condition-dependent. Particularly in the first test, once we get to Nagpur we will see that. The good thing is someone like Agar was in our last team, Swepson played the last two overseas tour, so a bit of experience. Murphy played in the last tour. We feel that we got a lot of support in that department for Lyon,” Cummins said.
The most noticeable thing in the Australian squad is the number of part-time bowlers. Travis Head offers off-spin option while Marnus Labuschagne can bowl a few good overs of leg-spin too. If required even Steve Smith can roll up his sleeves.
“Travis Head also bowls really good offspin. We have to balance things. We have got plenty of variety there to choose from. We have not locked in any bowling line-up so far,” Cummins added.
However, despite the talks about spinners, Australia will have the best pace attack in the world. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Lance Morris will be difficult to deal with. With Mitchell Starc joining in from the 2nd Test, it will only bolster their strength.
“I think sometimes, talking about a couple of spinners, you forget how good a lot of our fast bowlers have been in all conditions. Even some of the SCG wickets, there haven’t been a lot in them for quick bowlers, but the quick bowlers have found a way,” he added.
IND vs AUS: Pat Cummins says ‘UNDECIDED’ on bowling combination for Nagpur Test, all 4 spinners on STANDBY, Check OUT
It must be noted that both teams are vying for World Test Championship Finals. A 0-4 rout can make things difficult for Australia despite leading the WTC standings. Furthermore, as Australia have not won a Test series against India in their last three meetings, they are desperate.
Australia also have not won any Test series in India in 19 years. Their last series win in India was back in 2004.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
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