Though the four-match Test series between India and Australia is scheduled at the end of 2020, the buzz has already started. Australian Test captain Tim Paine, who is currently riding the team on winning horse, has said that the Australian team is now different than the team against which India won the Test series last year.
‘Not looking at it as a revenge’
In Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018/19, Virat Kohli-led Indian team created the history after they won the Test series against Australia in Australia for the first time. Though some were not as happy with that series result, and the reason was that Australia was playing without their star players David Warner and Steve Smith.
Now, these two players have made a comeback after serving the one-year ban for the ball-tampering case, and currently leading the national side to the victory. With their comeback, the Australian skipper Tim Paine is confident that now his team can give a tough fight to India. However, he has made it clear that it will not be revenge, but an awesome series as both the sides have developed their game.
“I certainly won’t be looking at it as revenge,” Paine said of summer 2020-21.
“We are certainly a different side from what they played against last year and there’s more at stake – Test Championship points – and both teams are eyeing off that final, so points will be critical. If we can continue our upward trend from the last 12 months then you are looking at two of the best sides, so it will be an awesome series. Even being in Australia, they showed last year they have a pace battery that can be every bit as threatening as ours so it will be one to watch.’
Tim Pain targeting Bangladesh series
In the ongoing home summer, Australia has beaten both the visiting countries in Tests. Pakistan was badly defeated as they lost both the Test matches against Australia. New Zealand also lost the three-match Test series by a 3-0 margin. Australia has shown the world-class performance, being at second number in the points table of ICC World Test championship 2019-21.
Tim Pain has claimed that he is working on the next assignment against Bangladesh, but he is also waiting for the home Test series against India. He labelled the new Test series against India as mouth-watering series.
“Well first in Bangladesh. Every time you go to the subcontinent, the series is very, very hard to win. We’ve got our eye on that. We’ve obviously got our eye on next summer as well. If we go to Bangladesh and play well and get some wins over there, then you come back to Australia to play India, which is quite a mouth-watering series for players and the fans.”
“It’s hard not to be looking at that. We’ve got some people who’re employed in Cricket Australia who are already looking ahead to that series. But for the main playing group, your goal as a group is Bangladesh and you certainly can’t take it lightly.”
Meanwhile, Australia will tour India to play the three-match ODI series starting from 14th January 2020. After the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020, India will play the four-match Test series in Australia.