Welcome to news.com.au’s coverage of the first Test between Australia and India.
The four-match series gets underway in Nagpur today as Australia seeks to win its first series in India since a star-studded Aussie side won there back in 2004.
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Australia has only won two series in India in the last 60 years, but there is belief Pat Cummins’ experienced side has what it takes to win arguably the toughest tour in world cricket.
India claimed victory in the last two series in Australia and has held the Border-Gavaskar trophy since 2017. The hosts will go in as favourites.
Play is scheduled to begin at 3pm (AEDT). Follow below for live updates.
10.30am – Warner’s bold batting ploy
The doctoring of the Nagpur pitch against Australia’s left-hander heavy line-up has David Warner seriously considering batting right-handed during the Test.
The veteran opener was seen practising batting right-handed in the nets and would most likely bring out the party trick in the second innings of the Test when the wicket breaks down and becomes even more of a nightmare for left handers.
Warner has shown he is more than capable of “switch-hitting” in the shorter forms of the games, but batting for long periods in a Test right handed would certainly be a strange sight.
9.30am — Pitch to wreak havoc, Aussie bolter set to make debut
The pitch in Nagpur is expected to be a spinner’s paradise after images emerged of the wicket being prepared specifically to wreak havoc on Australia’s batting line-up filled with left-handers.
Five members of Australia’s likely top seven — Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, and Alex Carey — bat left handed.
The state of the pitch could see right-handed Peter Handscomb enter the frame to be picked to bat at No. 6 over Renshaw.
Australia is yet to name its final XI but uncapped spinner Todd Murphy is expected to be picked to make his Test debut, alongside veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.
With Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc ruled out of the first Test and all-rounder Cameron Green still under an injury cloud, the make-up of Australia’s bowling attack is not at full strength.
Cummins will likely be joined in the attack by Scott Boland, and at least two spinners.
Story Credit: news.com.au