Syndey Cricket Ground (SCG) will host the first match of the three-match ODI series between India and Australia on Saturday (November 27).
Ahead of the match, India and Australia players are likely to stand for 63 seconds to mark the sixth death anniversary of Phillip Hughes. It is also learned that the Australian team will also wear black armbands with the initials of the late player.
Here, let’s take look at Australia’s predicted playing XI:
David Warner:
David Warner is in fantastic form considering his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. He was the leading scorer for SunRisers Hyderabad. His aggressive start could dismantle India’s bowling attack once he sets himself in the field.
Aaron Finch (C):
Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch seems to be not in the best form. He had a forgetful IPL season, scoring only one half-century. The right-hand batsman will have to put the best show on the first ODI to set the tone for them.
Marnus Labuschagne:
Marnus Labuschagne had made the ODI debut against India when they toured earlier this year. He was not looking amateur in foreign condition and also scored a half-century. Considering his good records against India, he will play a pivotal role for Australia in the batting department.
Steven Smith:
Steven Smith is a mainstay for Australia in the batting department. His unorthodox batting might make the Indian bowler struggle against him. But he was not up to his form in the IPL 2020. After scoring half-centuries in the first couple of matches, his form slumped in the latter half of the tournament.
Glenn Maxwell:
Glenn Maxwell was a big flop in the cash-rich league as he could not even hit a six in the whole tournament. But his part-time bowling was effective. If he could not perform in this series, the all-rounder might lose his place in the international team.
Alex Carey (wk):
Although Matthew Wade has returned to Australia’s squad, the team is likely to go with Alex Carey, who has been with the team in the past matches.
Marcus Stoinis:
Marcus Stoinis has emerged as the pivotal player for Australia because of his all-round performance. In IPL 2020, he showed how dangerous he can be once he sets himself in the field. His power-hitting can kill any bowling attack.
Adam Zampa:
The leg-spinner Adam Zampa shares a fierce battle with Virat Kohli. Notably, he has the upper hand as he has dismissed Kohli on seven occasions across the formats. With Kohli already not in his form, Zampa could deliver a comfortable win to Australia.
Pat Cummins:
Pat Cummins is also among the list of Australians, who didn’t prove their worth in the IPL 2020. Except in one match against Rajasthan Royals, he had foundering throughout the season. He is the marquee player and if fails to pick the wicket, the Yellow Army is surely going to be in trouble.
Mitchell Starc:
Mitchell Starc will play international cricket after over three months. In the last assignment, he picked up five wickets in three matches and took the team to victory. The left-arm pacer will cause a huge problem for the Indian batsmen.
Josh Hazlewood:
Against England in the last meeting, Josh Hazlewood had picked four wickets in three ODI matches but in the last match, he proved to be expensive. In IPL 2020, in three matches, the pacer picked only one wicket. However, at home, his stats are impressive.