Published: Jan 16, 2024, 01:11 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 16, 2024, 01:12 PM (IST)
This appears to be the perfect mismatch on paper. a potent and accomplished Australian squad taking on a West Indies team that will have at least three rookies and just five players with prior national team experience. it is probably how it will end up as well, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be any interesting moments along the road.
With David Warner’s retirement, a new era has begun for Australia. The process of replacing him took an unexpected turn when Steven Smith, the final person on the list, was selected for the position. It has generated a lot of discussion because he has never opened in first-class cricket, but it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if he succeeds.
Cameron Green’s return to the starting lineup at No. 4 is a result, but other than that, things remain the same for the home team. The fact that the Pakistan Tests concluded in four days has helped the fast bowlers continue, even if Australia was tested more than some had anticipated.
So to West Indies. Due to a variety of scheduling anomalies in the game, this group differs greatly from the one who visited Australia a little over a year ago. As a result, they are returning for two summers in a row.
With backing from new vice captain Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, who notoriously roughed up Ricky Ponting in 2009, will need to make far more of an impression than his past average of 90.62 reveals in Australia. With the adjustments, they will at least have to target an Australian top order, which will be scrutinized.
The quick bowler Shamar Joseph, who hails from the boat-only village of Baracara in Guyana, is the new member of the West Indies squad that has generated the most interest and excitement. Joseph made an impression during the A tour of South Africa last year and gave an encouraging performance in the warm-up match against the Cricket Australia XI.
Cameron Green and Tagenarine Chanderpaul in the spotlight
Australia’s next big thing has long been predicted to be Cameron Green, and during his debut Test match, he appeared to confirm that prediction. However, he now needs to re-establish himself due to a number of circumstances, including getting used to switching between formats rapidly, a small injury that kept him out of the Headingley Test during the Ashes, and Mitchell Marsh’s following excellent play. No. 4 is seen as his permanent home, albeit it was most likely intended to be a batting order shift, rather than something Smith would accomplish through retirement. The extent to which Pat Cummins employs him with the ball will also be intriguing to see.
During the Australian tour of the previous season, Tagenarine Chanderpaul had a promising start to his Test career, scoring a half-century on his debut and two fortys later. He got a double-century against Zimbabwe in the next game, but his struggles against South Africa and India have been more difficult. He will be essential in mitigating Australia’s potent assault with his skipper and allowing the inexperienced middle order some time to settle in.
Team news: Steven Smith will make his debut; the West Indies might see three debuts.
Australia’s starting eleven was set last week when the roster was revealed and Smith and Green’s new positions were verified. The backup players are Scott Boland and Matt Renshaw.
Australia 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Steven Smith, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Cameron Green, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Kraigg Brathwaite confirmed that Kavem Hodge and Justin Greaves will debut in the middle order along with Shamar Joseph in the pace attack.
West Indies 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 3 Kirk McKenzie, 4 Alick Athanaze, 5 Kavem Hodge, 6 Justin Greaves, 7 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Shamar Joseph
Pitch and circumstances
For the first time since 2018 it will be a day game in Adelaide. It hasn’t made a big difference for curator Damian Hough, who is known for creating exceptional Test surfaces. He anticipates a fast pace with this one. “We’ve had a really good lead-in with the weather being able to get some good moisture throughout the pitch,” he stated. The entire prediction is decided.
