Sad day for cricket as gossip mongering, callous reporting threatens to overshadow a brilliant series of test cricket
As dust refuses to settle on the issue of Quarantine and the choice of venue for the fourth test, people have almost forgotten there is a test series left to play. In between all this drama and commotion though, the Indian cricket team has already reached SCG, the venue for the third test. With the series tied at 1–1, a win for India will mean they retain the BorderGavaskar trophy, as they had won it the last time.
India
The series so far has been riveting to put it in one word. India has always been known as a batting powerhouse, but the Indian bowling has shown that it has come of age too. Never in the past did India have such a reservoir of fast bowlers. And the best bit is that even a new bowler coming in is match ready and raring to go. With the recent injury to Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur or Navdeep Saini might get a look in. Shardul who has a potent outswinger might get the nod here in Sydney. The rest of the bowling attack will remain the same. The batting looked decent in the last game but the opening pair continues to remain a worry for the Indians.
Rohit Sharma, the new vice captain, is fit and ready to play. He might replace Mayank Agarwal at the top. The recent wrist injury to KL Rahul, has ruled him out of the series, will mean Vihari lives to fight for his place.
The Indian eleven
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane ©, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant(wk), Ravi Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah and Md. Siraj.
Australia
Australia is still sweating over the fitness of David Warner, and might take a call on his availability only on the day of the test match. Warner at home is at least 30% of the Australian batting. And really could be that one massive factor that changes the course of the test/series. Another inclusion in the Australian playing eleven could be Will Pucovski. This young talented bat has had an unfortunate history of suffering concussions on the cricket field, and a decision on him too will be taken on the day of the test match.
If these two open the batting, Wade will replace the misfiring Travis Head in the middle order. Much will also depend on the return to form of a certain Steve Smith, to be or not to be is the million dollar question. Cameron Green did well with the bat and will retain his spot at 6. So will all the four bowlers who have been extremely good so far in the series.
The Aussie eleven
Dave Warner, Will Pucovski, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon.
In the end one would hope the focus remains on the field, on the players. And the sooner these series of meaningless allegations and counter allegations get over, the better for all parties involved. Also, it’s the Australian summer and it’s Sydney so it will rain, but, let’s hope even with that rain we have enough time to have a result.
This test match promises to be lip smacking!
