IND vs AUS Delhi Test: Australia Practice Nagpur – After being bundled out in three days, Australia are not catching a break. Coach Andrew McDonald asked the batters for an optional practice session in Nagpur before travelling to Delhi for IND AUS 2nd Test starting Friday. Australia were forced to cancel their practice on Sunday as the groundsmen watered down the match-day pitch at the VCA Stadium. However, Australia finally got a more ‘treacherous’ centre wicket to practice on. But it did not go well as spinner Ashton Agar bloodied David Warner, Travis Head Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The Aussies batters pushed themselves through one last training session in Nagpur on Monday #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/DfFUHBjgPp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 14, 2023
A centre-wicket session in Nagpur for the Aussies, ahead of a trip to Delhi #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/3g0Mj2V10a
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 13, 2023
Nagpur pitch curator had put cold water on Australia’s aspirations to study the pitch more and give their batters another go. The pitch was watered as soon as the match ended, rendering it useless. But Australia got a 2nd option when they were offered the 2nd strip, considered to be more treacherous for batters.
IND vs AUS: WATCH Australia practise on ‘treacherous’ Nagpur centre wicket before travelling to Delhi, batters get BLOODIED by Ashton Agar, Check OUT
Australia rested their performers Steve Smith and two offies Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy. But coach McDonald sent out notice to David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne besides axed Travis Head to practice. Even injured Cameron Green had a full-fledged session.
With the ball turned up Green and out of favour Ashton Agar besides bowling coach Daniel Vettori and net-bowler Mahesh Pithiya, fondly called R Ashwin. With Labuschagne taking the wicket-keeper’s gloves, Australia had a full tilt at the practice on Monday. But none looked comfortable.
Ashton Agar bloodied their top batters as one by one fell to live through the grind of the Nagpur pitch. They could not even handle Vettori’s throwdowns.
IND vs AUS: WATCH Australia practise on ‘treacherous’ Nagpur centre wicket before travelling to Delhi, batters get BLOODIED by Ashton Agar, Check OUT
Australia’s selection dilemma:
However, Australia are facing a huge selection dilemma with Cameron Green yet to get green signal. Australia’s plan with just four bowlers failed in Nagpur as India went on to score 400. Rohit Sharma slammed a century while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel scored a half-century each.
Even though Green had a full session, he is still a doubtful starter. Australia medical team is still of the idea that he won’t be able to field at his best position in the gully with the finger still in recovery.
Hence, even though Mitchell Starc and Matt Kuhnemann available for selection, they have to sacrifice either a batter of a bowler.
- With Mitchell Swepson back home for birth of his child, Australia have called up left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann.
- However, whether Kuhnemann will make his Test debut will depend on Cameron Green’s fitness.
- Mitchell Starc will replace Scott Boland but Australia want assurances of a third seamer in Green to get in the third spinner.
- If Green is fit, Australia will replace Peter Handscomb and Scott Boland.
- Even David Warner is a doubtful starter following his poor run of form in India in Tests.
- But if Green fails to make it, Australia won’t risk going in with 6 batting options.
“Bringing in someone like Mitchell Starc, who’s a gun in these conditions and bowled really well in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Hopefully, I made the selectors’ job a little tougher than it originally was, but I don’t think we’re going to play three fast bowlers. There’s only going to be two spots up for grabs I reckon,” Boland told Fox News.
Australia Squad 2nd Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhnemann, Peter Handscomb, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Lance Morris
IND vs AUS: WATCH Australia practise on ‘treacherous’ Nagpur centre wicket before travelling to Delhi, batters get BLOODIED by Ashton Agar, Check OUT
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