One of the most anticipated Test series to ever be staged on Australian shores in quite some time is finally here.
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The first of five Test matches between Australia and India gets underway at Perth’s Optus Stadium this afternoon, with the two nations to play off for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It’s a series the Aussies have failed to win in ten years, with India proving successful in the last four Test series between the two sides.
The last time we hoisted the trophy was during the 2014-2015 summer of cricket after a Michael Clarke-led Aussie squad defeated India 2-0.
Since then, it’s been utter domination from India, who have won the last four series.
Heading into the five match series this summer, Australia are warm favourites with captain Pat Cummins believing his team are “well placed at the moment”.
“It’s definitely the most settled as a side we are,” Cummins said this week.
For the Aussies, Nathan McSweeney will make his Test match debut.
He won the battle over Marcus Harris and Cam Bancroft for the vacant opening spot alongside Usman Khawaja.
India’s team is far less settled, with question marks over their pace attack behind Jasprit Bumrah, who is standing in as captain for the injured Rohit Sharma.
Star all rounder Ravindra Jadeja will also miss the first Test, with India electing for just one spinner in Ravi Ashwin on the bouncy Perth wicket.
The first ball is due to be bowled at 1:20pm AEDT (10:20am local time).
All five games will be broadcast LIVE to Foxtel and Kayo on Australia’s only dedicated 24/7 cricket channel FOX CRICKET.
LIKELY TEAMS FOR FIRST TEST
Australia – Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khwaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
India – Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
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