Australia v India: SCG to play host to star-studded day-night tour match
Injury-hit Australia have been forced into a major change of direction, with a SCG tour match this weekend now set to include more stars than first anticipated.
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Justin Langer says Australia will consider changing plans and inject Test players into a pink ball tour match against India, with injury playing havoc with preparations.
David Warner (groin) is the only star with a fitness concern that will keep him out of the first Test, but a string of dramas with the white ball squad have had a flow-on effect to Australia’s lead-up to the Adelaide opener on December 17.
Australia was originally planning to fly the vast majority of their squad to Adelaide on Wednesday to begin camp, but Langer said Sunday that selectors would indicate leaving several stars behind to get more first-class match practice under their belts.
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India have a tour game against an Australia A side at the SCG starting on Friday, and it’s possible stars such as Will Pucovski, Joe Burns, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson could all be considered for that Test eve hitout.
“We are (considering it). With injuries – we weren’t expecting Davey (Warner) to get injured for example, so we’re having a close look at that,” said Langer.
“I’ve said for years that the best practice is centre wicket practice and no doubt the chance to play a pink ball game against India under lights is certainly very, very tempting preparation for a few of our players. So we are looking at that.”
Langer said he has taken the step of talking to the Cricket Australia board about the unusual amount of injuries the team is dealing with, potentially a consequence of the team serving two weeks in hotel quarantine.
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Increased injuries could be the new reality of the COVID cricket world.
If Australia does select a number of Test stars for the three-day pink ball affair at the SCG, it will create an unusual dynamic, because the two teams would be essentially meeting in battle before the Test series proper even starts.
It may give some players a chance to get a psychological edge by getting one up on a key player from the opposition.
India are expected to play their superstars like Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli.
The match is essentially designed for India to get pink ball practice before the Tests, but due to COVID restrictions, it is now doubling as a key opportunity for Australia as well.
At this point the gates will be closed to the public at the SCG for the tour game, with members only allowed in.
However, the prospect of a high standard Australian team up against a full-strength Indian outfit would create the feeling of a mini-Test – particularly considering the match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo.
It will be interesting how the game rates up against a Big Bash match if it’s an all-star day-night affair.
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Meanwhile, Australian coach Justin Langer has praised the incredible rise of Matthew Wade from never to play again to T20 captain in the space of 18 months.
“We said 18 months ago, if you want to play for Australia again then get up the order in Sheffield Shield cricket and keep performing, because he was smashing the door down. He did exactly what we asked,” said Langer.
“So he came into Test cricket, then we took him on the Australia A tour (of England) and he got a couple of extraordinary 100s in the 50-over games they played.
“He’d done a really good job for Hobart Hurricanes and he’s just an experienced campaigner now. He’s captain of Tasmania, captain of the Hobart Hurricanes.
“He’s fantastic around the group. That’s what a lot of people don’t see.
“He’s brilliant around the group – he does a lot of work for the players. He’s very popular.
“He’s really grown into a really strong leader and his performances have been excellent.”
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