World Champions Australia are set to commence their new season with a two-match Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean. The Aussies are heading as favorites against the Windies, despite not playing since clinching the World Cup.
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The 1st Test between West Indies and Australia is scheduled for a 7:30 IST (10:00 local | 14:00 GMT) start at Windsor Park, Dominica. The match will be available live on Ten Sports in India, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Fox Sports in Australia.
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“I think a positive is that a lot of the guys have been playing cricket, whether it be the IPL or playing UK county cricket,” Australia skipper Michael Clarke said.
“And then there is been a lot of us at home training in Brisbane. We have no excuses. We are as well prepared as we can be. We’re ready for this Test match.”
“The West Indies have a really good team,” he added. “They’ve got a couple of very good spinners and their fast bowling is very strong as well. We have to make sure we’re switched on with the bat.”
Batting is not a concern for Australia as David Warner, Steve Smith and Shane Watson, to name a few, are in good touch. Clarke, however, is short on game-time, but he is experienced enough to get into the grove when required.
The Aussies, like always, will be banking on their pacers for the opening game at the Windsor Park. But, Nathan Lyon will have to play a crucial role, as the pitches in West Indies have started assisting spinners lately.
Mitchell Johnson’s form would be a matter of concern for Australia as the left-arm seamer was far from his best in the IPL. But, Australia still have Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the rank to trouble even the best of batting orders.
For West Indies it would be a litmus test to say the least against the mighty Australians. It is no secret that the Windies are not among the best of Test sides and matching the prowess of Australia would be very tough for them, irrespective of home conditions.
West Indies defeated England at home when they last took the field, but there is a massive difference between England and Australia and they would require something spectacular, if they are looking to put up a fight in Dominica.
“I think we are in a good frame of mind after the last test match with a win against England and a good week in Barbados,” West Indies Test skipper Denesh Ramdin said.
“We did some good things and hopefully we could carry that into the game,” he added. “We know that they are a good team. They will come hard at us and we need to stand up as big men and be counted for”.
West Indies (possible): Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich, Denesh Ramdin (c & wk), Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor, Shannon Gabriel and Veerasammy Permaul.
Australia (possible): David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
