Oldest team in 80 years: The ‘Dad’s Army’ of greats ready to end Border-Gavaskar curse

Australia are fielding its oldest team in 80 years to take on India, and the ‘Dad’s Army’ of greats are ready to end the decade long Border-Gavaskar curse.

Australia will cross the rope in Perth with the oldest team it has ever fielded in 80 years of competition against India in a bid to end this golden generation’s Border-Gavaskar curse.

The average age of this Australian team is 33 years and 33 days, and without the injection of 25-year-old opener Nathan McSweeney, this would be the oldest team in history.

According to CricViz, Australia was slightly older at 33 years and 120 days this time last summer against Pakistan when veteran David Warner was still in the side, and also in 2006 when legends of a previous era Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer were approaching the end and pushed the average age up to 33 years and 89 days.

The performances of the Test team fell off a cliff after the mass retirements of ’06, and Australia is once again teetering on the precipice, desperately hoping its ageing warriors can rise for a couple more summers of triumph against India and England before a more successful regeneration occurs.

Australia will field its oldest team in 80 years to face India. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Emboldened by a belief that the benefits of experience far outweigh the threat of Father Time, Australia’s ‘Dad’s Army’ of cricketing greats are ready to seize back a trophy that has eluded them for a decade.

“It’s weird. It’s basically been the same side for the last two or three years. So the week leading in is very normal, it’s all very relaxed,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said ahead of a spectacle anticipated to draw the biggest ever crowd for a day of Test cricket in Perth – in excess of 30,000.

“Everyone knows how they need to prepare. It’s pretty seamless. All the meetings, training, all those kind of things we’ve done heaps before with the same people.

“It’s just about reaffirming what we do really well.

“That’s been one of the strengths of our team, is not only the consistency, but how well everyone gets on, and how much we love playing together.

“I think if you’re early on in your career, there’s pressure on to assert yourself and earn your spot in the side. Once you’re in the side, there’s always that pressure to hold on to it or take your game to the next level.

“It’s a Test match, there’s millions of people watching – there’s always pressure.

“We always talk about trying to find when you are at your best and trying to place yourself as closely to that as possible. That’s what experience brings.”

India is yet to announce its playing XI for the first Test, with Ravindra Jadeja seemingly in competition with pace bowling allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Cummins declared its allrounder Mitchell Marsh would be fit to bowl in the Test, a massive boost after the blow of losing Cameron Green for the summer.

The Australians are not downplaying the importance of this series to their legacy as a great Test team.

“I think for about half the change room we haven’t won the Border Gavaskar,” Cummins said.

“So it’s kind of one of the last things to tick off for a lot of us. Also I think almost every challenge we’ve had thrown at us over the last few years we’ve stepped up and done well.

“I think to do that for another year, another home summer would cement this, rather than just being a two or three season thing.

“It (would) suddenly (turn) into a half generation thing.

“We’re all excited. We know India are right up there with one of the best teams in the world.”

Cummins said Marsh would only be used with the ball when needed, but is pleased with the big man’s fitness having had an extended period of not bowling.

“He’s definitely available to bowl this Test,” Cummins said.

“He’s an allrounder. I don’t think, with the way us four bowlers are set out, we never really budget an allrounder bowling heaps.

“I would imagine (he’ll bowl) a few spells each innings, but he’s ready to go. He’s been bowling really well this week.

“His body is great. It’s the best it’s been for a while. He’s had a really good lead-in. He’s ready to go and happy to bowl as much as we need.”

Stand-in Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah leapt to the defence of under-siege veteran Virat Kohli who is under pressure to turn around his waning form.

“One or two series here and there can go up and down, but the confidence that he has at this moment, I have no doubts about where he is prepared and mentally switched on,” Bumrah said.

“He is looking to contribute. The way I have seen him at training, the signs are on (for) him. I don’t want to jinx it by saying anything else, but yes, he is looking in very good shape.”

Originally published as Oldest team in 80 years: The ‘Dad’s Army’ of greats ready to end Border-Gavaskar curse