Mystery surrounds the make-up of India’s bowling ahead of the second Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval, but it appears that veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could return to the starting XI.
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Ashwin and fellow tweaker Ravindra Jadeja were sidelined for the series opener in Perth, surprisingly omitted for all-rounder Washington Sundar.
However, Sundar and Ashwin were seen bowling the outfield during warm-ups at Adelaide Oval on Friday afternoon, suggesting the duo could feature in this week’s Test.
‘CAREERS ARE ON THE LINE’: AUSSIE GREAT’S WARNING
Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe has warned that careers could be on the line should the hosts lose the second Test against India at Adelaide Oval.
Australia’s batters have come under the spotlight after an underwhelming 2024 — in Tests this calendar year, Travis Head has averaged 29.80, Usman Khawaja 26.00, Mitchell Marsh 26.30, Marnus Labuschagne 24.50 and Steve Smith 25.55.
Speaking to Fox Sports News’ Test Cricket Daily, O’Keeffe declared that “without question” changes would be made should India take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs India second Test scorecard, live updates
“If they lose this Test, then careers are on the line,” O’Keeffe said on Friday afternoon.
“The top six really haven’t fired in 2024, they’re all averaging under 30. You cannot do that at international level and expect to be picked every week.
“They have to ton up. They have to get the big hundred.
“Were Australia to win and the batters fail and the bowlers get them through, they’ll survive another Test. But if Australia were to lose this, then changes are going to be made.
“It’s up to individuals to really step up over the next few days.”
GREAT SLAMMED OVER ‘RUBBISH’ CONSPIRACY THEORY
Former Australian bowler Ryan Harris has fired back at “rubbish” claims from Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar over Josh Hazlewood’s side strain injury, which will see him sidelined from the second Test in Adelaide.
The action gets back underway on Friday at 3pm, with Scott Boland returning in place of Hazlewood in Australia’s only change to the starting XI that was comfortably defeated by India in Perth.
Hazlewood’s comments during the first Test sparked suggestions of a potential divide in the Australian dressing room, although teammates were quick to dismiss those claims.
But according to Gavaskar, the fact Hazlewood is now unavailable due to injury should be raising eyebrows in the Australian media.
Gavaskar said earlier in the week that the Australian fast bowler’s side strain injury was “strange” and a “mystery”, seemingly hinting his non-selection may instead be connected to his comments during the first Test.
Travis Head said he was “surprised” to hear that insinuation from Gavaskar while Harris was far more direct, describing it as “rubbish” in an interview with the Indian Express.
“Look, there are no, factions. That’s just all garbage,” Harris said.
“I’ve even heard Mr Gavaskar coming out and saying there’s some faction. It’s all rubbish. That doesn’t happen in Australia. I know it happens in India. I’ve lived there.
“There’s no politics and no, you don’t miss a game for saying what he (Hazlewood) said.
“I’ve spoken to a couple of the boys here at and everyone’s smart. They just know our media and how they work. The Australian media have jumped on it, because we went so bad in Perth. But you’re allowed to be outplayed.”
Marsh expected to bowl in 2nd Test | 01:46
Harris went on to stress that he has “all the respect” for Gavaskar, calling him a “legend of the game”.
“He is just throwing a little grenade over here and the media have just got hold of him and are having a feast,” added Harris.
Hazlewood, who took five wickets in Australia’s 295-run loss at Perth, will remain with the group in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series according to Cricket Australia.
Boland, Hazlewood’s replacement, played the last of his 10 Tests in July 2023 against England at Headingley.
MCSWEENEY VOWS TO ‘SHOW WHAT I CAN DO’ AFTER BAPTISM OF FIRE
Elsewhere, Australian opener Nathan McSweeney has vowed to “show everyone what I can do” when the second Test against India begins on familiar territory in Adelaide on Friday.
The 25-year-old was under the spotlight when he made his debut for his country in the first Test of the five-match series last month in Perth.
McSweeney had only ever opened once before at first-class level and he scored 10 and nought as a rampant India won by 295 runs, with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah his and Australia’s chief tormentor.
“I got two pretty good balls over there in Perth, so I’m not trying to dwell on it too much and look forward to Adelaide,” McSweeney told Cricket Australia’s media arm.
“I’ve played well out here, and it’s my home ground,” he said of the Adelaide Oval, which will host the day-night second Test.
“So I’m looking forward to getting in front of a home crowd and most importantly, a wicket that I’ve played heaps of cricket on and that I know really well.”
“This Australian team is beatable” | 02:20
McSweeney got the nod to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in Perth on the back of an impressive start to the domestic season.
Two of his six career Sheffield Shield centuries have come at the Adelaide Oval and he averages just over 43 in first-class games there, according to Cricket Australia.
He admits however that the “pink ball is a little bit new to me”.
“But we’ll be training here under lights a few times this week. So we’ve got some prep to do and I feel like I missed out last match, but my game’s still in a good spot.”
He added: “If I can make sure I nail my prep and then spend some time in the middle, I can take great confidence from that.
“The beauty of this series is you don’t have to wait too long to get another opportunity, so definitely take some learnings from Perth and hopefully execute what I want to do here in Adelaide.
“It’s another opportunity for me to go out there and show everyone what I can do.”
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