Australian star hitters Steve Smith and David Warner take a look at the Nagpur pitch ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, which kicks off on February 9. The first Test between India and Australia will be held at Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium, Nagpur. Both David and Smith have conflicting records in India. Smith has an exceptional record in India. In six matches and 12 innings he scored 660 points against an average of 60.00. Three centuries and fifty have come out of his bat, with a best score of 178*.
An early view of the Nagpur field #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/S3BIu7qti8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 7, 2023
However, the photo was the subject of several social media memes.
— Calm Blue Ocean (@ReadPete) February 7, 2023
Besharam called kahaan dekha australia waalo ne… https://t.co/cwqbXu5vji pic.twitter.com/7JoSjknsu2
— Rijula Chakraborty (@rillathegorilla) February 7, 2023
“Day 0 Pitch” pic.twitter.com/QyXGk3vfJN
— Mike Marshall-Waters (@mikemw) February 7, 2023
Smith are like pic.twitter.com/gl6o0ZedyG
— male (@3317idemoNOLE) February 7, 2023
On the other hand, Warner will be looking to improve his record against India in subcontinent conditions. In eight Tests and 16 innings he scored just 388 runs at an average of 24.25. Only three fifties have come off his bat, with a best score of 71.
According to cricket.com.au, the pitch is dry just two days before the match and is showing loose cracks, which will certainly make both sides consider submitting their playing eleven with plenty of spin bowling options.
Describing the field, Smith told reporters, “Pretty dry, especially on one side.”
“I think it’s going to take some spin, especially the left arm spinner that brings it to our southpaws. There’s a section there that’s pretty dry.”
“Other than that I can’t really get a good gauge on it. I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of bounce in the wicket, I think it’s going to be quite slippery for the sewing machines and maybe a little up and down movement. as the game progresses.”
“The cracks felt quite loose. I’m not entirely sure – we’ll wait and see,” Smith concluded.
India can make good use of the subcontinent’s usual spider-friendly conditions and their ammunition of world-class spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel to tame these two beasts throughout the series.
Australia’s last tour of India was in 2017. India won that series 2-1.
India is the current holder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning the series in Australia in 2020-21.
The series will consist of four exhibition games. The series is big for both teams as they look for a spot in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).
Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
India squad: (for first two Tests) Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.
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