Australia v India
Optus Stadium, Perth
14-18 November 2018
The Australian Test Summer kicked off with a nail-biter in Adelaide with India taking a 1-0 lead in the series. India will now look for a 2-0 start as the two sides head to Perth on Friday. History will be broken as Optus Stadium will host its first Test match.
The First test began well for the home side as they had India on the ropes early at 3-19. But a batting masterclass by Pujara (123) saw India reach 250 in the first innings. Australia's batting lineup was tipped to obviously struggle without Smith and Warner, which showed as they only managed 235 runs on a fairly good batting wicket. Ashwin highlighted the innings with 34 overs and 3 wickets. India took the momentum into their second innings as they piled on 307. Pujara again top scored with 71 off 204 balls and Rahane looked impressive with 70. Nathan Lyon continued his stellar form against India and in Adelaide with 6/122. In pursuit of victory, Australia's top 6 batting lineup couldn't build large partnerships and that proved the difference as they were bowled out for 291. Shaun Marsh was the standout with 60 and Tim Paine battled hard for 41 despite a sore thumb.
Coming into Perth, the new stadium will see a different challenge for both sides. In Australia's recent ODI results at the venue, their batting lineup has struggled to get going. India has brought one of their best pace bowling attacks in recent times as Sharma, Shami and Bumrah can all bowl the bouncer quite well. At the top of the order, Finch is having problems against the swinging ball and that will be even tougher at this venue. Shaun Marsh's 60 in the second innings of the First test probably saved his career and he'll look to build on that form at his home venue
Not only are India leading 1-0 but a couple of their stars didn't get going in Adelaide. Virat Kohli only scored 37 runs and his poor form against Australia has continued from India in 2017. So he could be due for a big innings. The same can be said for Vijay and Sharma. Pujara was a class above in Adelaide and Australia will need to figure out a plan to get him out. Their pace attack should enjoy seam friendly conditions at Optus Stadium. Which should also help Ravi Ashwin as he bowled a mammoth 86 innings in Adelaide.
Optus Stadium Stats
This will be the first test match played at the venue in history.
Australia has lost both ODI matches at the venue against England and South Africa.
Top Australia Batsman (1st Innings)
Starting with the top order, Finch looks uncomfortable against Sharma and we would steer clear of him in this test match. Harris was solid in Adelaide, scoring 26 in both innings. But it's a question mark on whether he can convert those starts into big scores. Khawaja doesn't seem to have an answer against Ashwin and he played a very reckless shot in the second innings. Shaun Marsh finally found some form in Adelaide, scoring 60 off 166 balls. His record at this venue in first-class Cricket is hard to go past. In 3 of his last 4 innings, he's scored 80 or more runs. Handscomb was a victim of 2 soft dismisalls in Adelaide and I don't think that will improve in Perth. Travis Head was the most impressive batsman during Australia's first innings in Adelaide as he compiled 72 off 167 balls.
Top India Batsman (1st Innings)
Both Indian openers failed in Adelaide and Hazlewood/Starc should be even tougher to play in Perth. Pujara was the standout in Adelaide, scoring 194 runs in 2 innings. His 123 in the first innings could have been even bigger if not for a brilliant piece of fielding by Cummins. Kohli seems to have issues against the Australian bowlers at the moment. Rahane hit a nice 70 in the second innings of the last test and does play Nathan Lyon very well. Sharma and Pant are both aggresive hitters at #6 and #7 but I'm just loving Pujara's form at this stage.
Best Bet
Much like Adelaide, the betting says this will be another tighly contested Test match as no side is favoured. Australia will be desperate to avoid a 2-0 deficit in the series and they did fight hard in the latter stages of the First test. The key in this matchup will be the Optus Stadium pitch, which should favour the home side's pace attack. The Adelaide wicket was slow as usual and the likes of Starc/Cummins couldn't get much out of it. But I think that will change in Perth. There's also the fact that India will be playing their first match at the venue, which could be tough to overcome. Australia rarely loses 2 in a row at home and I'm tipping they'll square up the series before the Boxing Day test.
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