Australia would not have even imagined that it would have to face a crushing defeat at the hands of Team India in its own home. That too at a time when the Indian team itself had suffered a shocking 0-3 defeat at the hands of New Zealand on its own soil just a few weeks ago. But it happened and in the Perth Test, the Indian team defeated them by a margin of 295 runs. Now the wait is for Adelaide Test and eyes are on whether the Australian team will make any changes in its squad? This does not seem to be happening and coach Andrew McDonald has also indicated that there will be no change.
Five test matches are to be played between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia had till now announced the squad only for the first match. This squad could not lead the team to victory in Perth. Now Australian experts and fans have started demanding that changes should be made in the team, but does the Australian team management also think so? From the words of Coach McDonald, it is clear that there will be no change in the next test also.
Squad will not change but question on playing-11
After the defeat in the Perth Test, when the team’s head coach McDonald was asked about changes in the squad for the day-night match in Adelaide, he refused. McDonald said that all the players who were in the Perth Test will also be a part of the Adelaide Test. McDonald is not only the head coach of the team but is also a part of the selection committee. In such a situation, there is no hope of change after his statement. Australia had included 13 players for the first Test, which, apart from Perth’s playing eleven, also included wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis and fast bowler Scott Boland.
Despite there being no change in the squad, it is not certain that the playing eleven will also remain the same. There may be changes in the playing eleven of the day-night test. McDonald said that he will wait for some time and then think about this. Especially the fitness of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh remains a matter of concern. Marsh bowled in both the innings and also took 3 wickets.
Which players to keep an eye on?
Talking about the Australian team, it included young batsman Nathan McSweeney in the first test. McSweeney’s debut was not good, where he could score only 10 runs in the first innings, while he could not even open the account in the second innings. He was dismissed by Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah in both the innings but still he is likely to remain in the playing eleven. The concern is about the performance of Marnus Labuschagne, who has been able to score more than 10 runs only twice in the last 10 innings. Will Josh Inglis get a chance in his place, it will be worth watching.