After registering a shocking win in the first Test, Australia will on India on Boxing Day at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The two teams will play the second Test from December 26 which will be going to a crucial match for India more than the hosts.
David Warner and Sean Abbott have been ruled out of the second Test because of the combination of two reasons. Sean Abbott has recovered from injury but he has not been allowed to join the bio-bubble. The reason being he was under rehab in Sydney where the new strain of coronavirus has been found. Although he has travelled to Melbourne, Cricket Australi is taking a precautionary measure. The same reason is for Warner but he has also not fully recovered from a groin injury. Thus, he has been ruled for both reasons.
Here, let’s take a look at what playing XI will Australia enter against India in the second fixture:
Joe Burns:
Joe Burns, who has the struggling domestic season, found back his rhythm in the second innings of the first Test. He went on to score an unbeaten half-century to take the game home. After the match, he has been looking excellent in net sessions ahead of the Test.
As a result, all the doubts have been made cleared over his form. He is going to open the innings against India on Boxing Day.
Matthew Wade:
The makeshift opener Matthew Wade will be the opening partner of Joe Burns. He is playing the first Test series as an opener but Australia’s team management has backed him to play in David Warner’s place.
In the first Test, he took the aggressive approach albeit he could not play longer innings.
Marnus Labuschagne:
Marnus Labuschange, who has copied all the mannerisms of Steve Smith, is the batting mainstay for them. But he has been lucky many times in the first Test match. He was dropped twice while batting in the first innings. But he fairly didn’t capitalize on the opportunities as he was sent back at 47. Labuschagne will want to gets runs like Smith has done so far for Australia.
Steve Smith:
The first Test was not individually good for Steve Smith. He scored only runs after facing 29 balls which is a rare sight when he is playing. In the second innings, he didn’t get the opportunity to bat because India could not give a fighting target.
The no. 1 Test cricketer will be looking to bounce back stronger in the second Test and take the advantage of Virat Kohli’s absence.
Travis Head:
Travis Head, who was the highest scorer for Australia when India toured last time, was out for seven runs in the first innings. In the second innings, he didn’t get the opportunity to bat as openers were sufficient to chase India’s 90 runs target. Head will back for the second Test but if he could not get runs in that match, Australia might look at other options.
Tim Paine:
After his unbeaten 73 runs knock in the first innings, Tim Paine is being praised for his captaincy apart from his captaincy. On very rare occasions, he has been applauded for his batting performance.
The half-century will give him a lot more confidence in his batting and he will be looking to take the team to win in the second Test match to probably seal the deal for them.
Cameron Green:
Cameron Green was looking nervous in the Test debut against India but the youngster gathered a lot of praise for his bowling. He troubled Virat Kohli in his first innings although could not get his wickets.
But in the second innings, he picked an astonishing catch of Team India’s captain at the slip to end every hope of the visitors. Although the wicket was not in his name, that catch and praises from his teammate will have surely boosted his confidence.
Nathan Lyon:
Nathan Lyon, who picked on the wicket in the first Test, is nine wickets short to reach the 400 Test wickets mark. Currently, he has picked up 391 wickets in 75 Test matches. He will like to enter the elite list in the second Test.
Mitchell Starc:
The premier pacer Mitchell Starc notched four wickets in the first Test. He got the wicket of Prithvi Shaw for duck and lowered the confidence of the youngster. He didn’t get much chance to bowl in the second innings. With India facing a crippling defeat, he has an excellent opportunity to give them another nightmare to seal the deal.
Pat Cummins:
Pat Cummins notched a four-wicket haul in the second innings which sent India back to the pavilion for a paltry 36.
The vital cog of Australia has also a good chance to beat India in the second match.
Josh Hazlewood:
Josh Hazlewood was the main architect of Australia’s win in the first Test. He picked consecutive wickets to give nightmare to India.
He registered a five-wicket haul and with this, he also completed 200 Test wickets.