India to Tour Australia in December, Confirms Ganguly; Expects Team to Win "Tough" Series

[MenInG]

India's cricket chief Sourav Ganguly Saturday said the national team will tour Australia in December but called for a shortened quarantine period for the players.

Australia has checked the spread of the coronavirus except in Melbourne, its second-biggest city, which has witnessed a recent surge in cases.

"Ya, ya, we have confirmed that tour. In December we will be coming. We just hope the number of quarantine days get reduced a bit, Ganguly told TV channel India Today.

"Because we don't want the players to go all that far and sit in hotel rooms for two weeks. It is very, very depressing and disappointing."

"And, as I said Australia and New Zealand have been in good position except Melbourne. So from that point of view we will be going there and hopefully the quarantine days will be less and we can get back to cricket."

By Friday, Australia, a nation of 25 million, had recorded just more than 9,000 COVID-19 cases, 106 of them fatal.

The West Indies squad spent 14 days in quarantine after landing in England on June 9 for the three-Test tour, that began on July 8, marking the return of international cricket.

Virat Kohli's India are scheduled to tour Australia for four Test matches in December-January. India won a four-Test series in Australia 2-1 in 2018-19.

"It is going to be a tough series. It is not going to be what it was two years back. It is going to be a strong Australia but our team is as good," said Ganguly.

"We have the batting, we have the bowling. We just need to bat better. You know the best team overseas bat well.

"When we were so successful in England, in Australia, in Pakistan we were getting 400-500-600 in Test matches. I said that to Virat as well."

But Australia were without top batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith, who both missed the series due to their ball-tampering bans.

Ganguly backed his side to win under Kohli's leadership.

"Because you are Virat Kohli your standards are high. When you walk out to play, when you walk out with your team, I, watching on TV, don't expect you to just play well against Australia. I expect you to win," said the former India captain.

"So you have to live up to the standards. For his captaincy tenure this will be a milestone series - more than the World Cup."

Meanwhile the Indian Premier League is still searching for a window this season, and Ganguly said he does not want 2020 to "finish without the IPL."

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...expects-team-to-win-tough-series-2712171.html

 

[MenInG]

It has been confirmed by both BCCI and Cricket Australia that the two countries will be facing each other later this year. Virat Kohli and Co are scheduled for traveling to Australia in October for three T20Is after which they will defend the Border-Gavaskar trophy in December against an Australian side which will include David Warner and Steve Smith. With Covid-19 still a constant presence around the world, the visitors will have to go through a mandatory quarantine period.

Before the start of the series, West Indies squad had to spend 14 days in quarantine after landing in England on June 9 for the three-Test tour, that began on July 8, marking the return of international cricket.

However, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said on Saturday that he wants a shortened quarantine period for the Indian players while confirming the series against Australia. Australia has checked the spread of the coronavirus except in Melbourne, its second-biggest city, which has witnessed a recent surge in cases. “Ya, ya, we have confirmed that tour. In December we will be coming. We just hope the number of quarantine days get reduced a bit, Ganguly told TV channel India Today.

“Because we don’t want the players to go all that far and sit in hotel rooms for two weeks. It is very, very depressing and disappointing.”

“And, as I said Australia and New Zealand have been in good position except Melbourne. So from that point of view we will be going there and hopefully the quarantine days will be less and we can get back to cricket.”

By Friday, Australia, a nation of 25 million, had recorded just more than 9,000 COVID-19 cases, 106 of them fatal. The West Indies squad spent 14 days in quarantine after landing in England on June 9 for the three-Test tour, that began on July 8, marking the return of international cricket.

Virat Kohli’s India are scheduled to tour Australia for four Test matches in December-January. India won a four-Test series in Australia 2-1 in 2018-19. “It is going to be a tough series. It is not going to be what it was two years back. It is going to be a strong Australia but our team is as good,” said Ganguly.

“We have the batting, we have the bowling. We just need to bat better. You the best team overseas bat well.

“When we were so successful in England, in Australia, in Pakistan we were getting 400-500-600 in Test matches. I said that to Virat as well.”

India’s series victory two years ago was their first in Australia after 71 years of trying. But Australia were without top batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith, who both missed the series due to their ball-tampering bans.

Ganguly backed his side to win under Kohli’s leadership.

“Because you are Virat Kohli your standards are high. When you walk out to play, when you walk out with your team, I, watching on TV, don’t expect you to just play well against Australia. I expect you to win,” said the former India captain.

“So you have to live up to the standards. For his captaincy tenure this will be a milestone series - more than the World Cup.”

Meanwhile the Indian Premier League is still searching for a window this season, and Ganguly said he does not want 2020 to “finish without the IPL.”

The International Cricket Council will this month decide on the future of the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for October-November in Australia and Ganguly said the decision will have a bearing on the fate of IPL.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...tralia-tour/story-KFmSkhwvxbtOlzJuL8ApSK.html

 

[MenInG]

So Mr. President of the Cricketing Universe might as well announce WT20 cancelled and IPL to replace that.

==
The International Cricket Council will this month decide on the future of the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for October-November in Australia and Ganguly said the decision will have a bearing on the fate of IPL.

 

[Ab Fan]

Another thrashing coming up for us. But at least it won't be one sided.

 

[Vastunna]

So Mr. President of the Cricketing Universe might as well announce WT20 cancelled and IPL to replace that.

==
The International Cricket Council will this month decide on the future of the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for October-November in Australia and Ganguly said the decision will have a bearing on the fate of IPL.

Yes. ICC is wasting too much time to announce the inevitable. Hope Sourav announces it ASAP.

 

[Rajdeep]

Why is ICC taking so long to make a decision on T20 WC? They must announce the fate of the tournament asap so that BCCI can take a call on IPL.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Ganguly, please do the needful and announce the fate of ICC World T20.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Dunno...but something tells me , ind vs aus might be too onesided....we might win one -thats the max we gonna do....and it wont be aus's batting but their mean beast bowling machine (read MS,PC, JH, a fit agai pattinso and lyon) against our 1.5 man army of so called batsmen...i eagerly look forward to be proven wrong...

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Won't be lucky this time. And now that TikTok has been banned in India, expect 'zakhmi' Warner to unleash himself on Indian bowlers.

 

[Rajdeep]

Won't be lucky this time. And now that TikTok has been banned in India, expect 'zakhmi' Warner to unleash himself on Indian bowlers.

What was so lucky in last tour's victory? Agreed Warner/Smith was not playing but that was due to their own issues. They had all their main bowlers and all other players were playing. India played some good cricket to win that series down-under.

So interesting to see you are associating that win with luck.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

India will get the phainti of their life.I m really excited to see India getting thrashing.

 

[Convict]

Boxing Day Test should be stripped.

As a nation we don't want to endanger visitors by making them play in Melbourne

 

[tyron_woodley]

India will get the phainti of their life.I m really excited to see India getting thrashing.

lol india will be fully rested for the first time. If india actually decide to prep properly for this series akin to what australia did in preparation for the 2016 away test series then india has a good chance of winning.

Don't be so sure mate. India play more games than any other team, so fatigue is bound to take it's toll as it showed in the last n.z series where none of the key players performed.

It's going to be a tough series and like I always said before india never lose when they win the toss under kohli.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Dunno...but something tells me , ind vs aus might be too onesided....we might win one -thats the max we gonna do....and it wont be aus's batting but their mean beast bowling machine (read MS,PC, JH, a fit agai pattinso and lyon) against our 1.5 man army of so called batsmen...i eagerly look forward to be proven wrong...

india never had a proper break for away series and never truly prepped wirh a game plan in mind. Australia played in u.a.e and Bangladesh to prepare for a series in india back in 2016. besides They even borrowed indian soil to replicate an artificial turf for practice purposes in their home grounds.

If india actually prep like them, then the odds of india winning or drawing increases significantly.

I believe it will be a 2-1 win for either side. This won't be a draw.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

What was so lucky in last tour's victory? Agreed Warner/Smith was not playing but that was due to their own issues. They had all their main bowlers and all other players were playing. India played some good cricket to win that series down-under.

So interesting to see you are associating that win with luck.

We were lucky that Australia were down on confidence because of the ball tampering scandal, absence of Smith & Warner and aussie players trying to be goody goody on the field. Just wait for few months you will get your answers.

I predicted India to get whitewashed in NZ too when some overconfident fans were actually predicting the opposite lol. Hopefully you will be here with the same username when that series starts.

 

[Rajdeep]

We were lucky that Australia were down on confidence because of the ball tampering scandal, absence of Smith & Warner and aussie players trying to be goody goody on the field. Just wait for few months you will get your answers.

I predicted India to get whitewashed in NZ too when some overconfident fans were actually predicting the opposite lol. Hopefully you will be here with the same username when that series starts.

Even without Smith/Warner most Asian teams would struggle to beat Australia in Australia. Same way how an Australian team would struggle to beat India in India even without say Kohli playing.

There is nothing for me to wait here...lol. We may win/lose the upcoming series but that wont change the fact that we played good cricket to win the previous tour.

I know you are hurt that Indian team won a test series in Australia and want to dismiss it by calling it as a lucky win

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Even without Smith/Warner most Asian teams would struggle to beat Australia in Australia. Same way how an Australian team would struggle to beat India in India even without say Kohli playing.

There is nothing for me to wait here...lol. We may win/lose the upcoming series but that wont change the fact that we played good cricket to win the previous tour.

I know you are hurt that Indian team won a test series in Australia and want to dismiss it by calling it as a lucky win

You can assume whatever you want. Those who understand cricket know pretty well that there is a question mark over that series win. It seems our performance in NZ hasn't opened your eyes yet bhaijaan.

 

[Rajdeep]

You can assume whatever you want. Those who understand cricket know pretty well that there is a question mark over that series win. It seems our performance in NZ hasn't opened your eyes yet bhaijaan.

Every series is different...thats the point I am trying to make. Just because a team loses its subsequent series does not make its previous wins redundant or fluke. So just because we got whitewashed in NZ or will lose in upcoming Aust tour (as you wishing), that have no relevance to what happened in 2018 tour.

Pak won the CT Final beating India but lost all matches against us since. So was that 'a lucky win' as well?

Lets not be silly. Every series is different and we must give credit to the winning side.

 

[tyron_woodley]

We were lucky that Australia were down on confidence because of the ball tampering scandal, absence of Smith & Warner and aussie players trying to be goody goody on the field. Just wait for few months you will get your answers.

I predicted India to get whitewashed in NZ too when some overconfident fans were actually predicting the opposite lol. Hopefully you will be here with the same username when that series starts.

yea when they lose the toss*************.
Come back when virat actually loses a test when he loses the toss***.

N.z just got lucky due to india being overworked, tired and exhausted from all the tours plus odi series etc. They did well to smash us but india were not at their best and neither did they win the tosses either which makes a huge difference in SENA doctored pitches.

 

[Buffet]

With BCCI looking for shorter wait period, it may put Indians at disadvanatge for getting used to Aus conditions.

I expect Aus to win this series. They rarely allow visiting sides to win and this time they have smith as well.

 

[Buffet]

yea when they lose the toss*************.
Come back when virat actually loses a test when he loses the toss***.

N.z just got lucky due to india being overworked, tired and exhausted from all the tours plus odi series etc. They did well to smash us but india were not at their best and neither did they win the tosses either which makes a huge difference in SENA doctored pitches.

How about NZ playing better cricket than India in their familiar conditions? Sure, toss plays a part, but India did not paly good cricket in NZ. Indians lost in Eng, but they actually played good cricket in Eng without sustaining for full 5 days. In NZ, they played poorly.

 

[Kroll]

Although they were only missing Smith and Warner last time, this depreciates the Aus side by 50%. Aussie will smash Indian this time around. Gangy needs to keep smoking what he's smoking.

 

[Rohan]

You can assume whatever you want. Those who understand cricket know pretty well that there is a question mark over that series win. It seems our performance in NZ hasn't opened your eyes yet bhaijaan.

Sir, can we enjoy 83 and 11 WC win?

 

[therealAB]

Even without Smith/Warner most Asian teams would struggle to beat Australia in Australia. Same way how an Australian team would struggle to beat India in India even without say Kohli playing.

There is nothing for me to wait here...lol. We may win/lose the upcoming series but that wont change the fact that we played good cricket to win the previous tour.

I know you are hurt that Indian team won a test series in Australia and want to dismiss it by calling it as a lucky win

While India played excellently, I do not believe they would have won if smith and warner were playing. Warner is a HTB of the highest order, and to see smiths influence you only have to look at the ashes

 

[therealAB]

Even without Smith/Warner most Asian teams would struggle to beat Australia in Australia. Same way how an Australian team would struggle to beat India in India even without say Kohli playing.

There is nothing for me to wait here...lol. We may win/lose the upcoming series but that wont change the fact that we played good cricket to win the previous tour.

I know you are hurt that Indian team won a test series in Australia and want to dismiss it by calling it as a lucky win

While India played excellently, I do not believe they would have won if smith and warner were playing. Warner is a HTB of the highest order, and to see smiths influence you only have to look at the ashes

 

[therealAB]

Even without Smith/Warner most Asian teams would struggle to beat Australia in Australia. Same way how an Australian team would struggle to beat India in India even without say Kohli playing.

There is nothing for me to wait here...lol. We may win/lose the upcoming series but that wont change the fact that we played good cricket to win the previous tour.

I know you are hurt that Indian team won a test series in Australia and want to dismiss it by calling it as a lucky win

While India played excellently, I do not believe they would have won if smith and warner were playing. Warner is a HTB of the highest order, and to see smiths influence you only have to look at the ashes

 

[Savak]

Expectations will be higher for this Indian team now

 

[tyron_woodley]

While India played excellently, I do not believe they would have won if smith and warner were playing. Warner is a HTB of the highest order, and to see smiths influence you only have to look at the ashes

toss will matter. Good thing is that both teams are fully fresh after a great resting period. Both teams should be at their peaks I am assuming if they proper well.

india are yet to prep properly for an away series like the way australia did 2016 prior to the india away tour.

 

[Junaids]

India are going to get slaughtered.

Nobody seems to have noticed that they are a really, really old team.

Two years ago they were worthy of a 2-1 win over a weakened Australia. But they were at their peak, and Australia had literally no international class batsmen.

But this India team has been slaughtered for years every time it ventures into SENA. They got away with one series win in Australia because they played them at exactly the right moment, before they themselves went into decline and while Australia was at rock bottom.

India's bowling is basically Bumrah plus ageing mediocrities. They aren't going to get 20 Australian wickets in a Test at all for less than 500 runs.

 

[tyron_woodley]

India are going to get slaughtered.

Nobody seems to have noticed that they are a really, really old team.

Two years ago they were worthy of a 2-1 win over a weakened Australia. But they were at their peak, and Australia had literally no international class batsmen.

But this India team has been slaughtered for years every time it ventures into SENA. They got away with one series win in Australia because they played them at exactly the right moment, before they themselves went into decline and while Australia was at rock bottom.

India's bowling is basically Bumrah plus ageing mediocrities. They aren't going to get 20 Australian wickets in a Test at all for less than 500 runs.

yea keep making excuses for their previous loss to india. I agree about the ageing squad but it's not bumrah and some mediocrities like the ones that exist in australia barring cummins and like wise in pakistam with literally nobody except perhaps shaheen. Even shaheen is still a nobody.

Shami is a world class bowler. ishant is a brilliant support bowler. If these 3 are fit and at their peak, anything is possible.

India don't prep well for away series because their schedules are always packed and there is limited time to get adapted to new surroundings.

Australia toured u.a.e and Bangladesh prior to facing india and even borrowed soil to practice for 2016 series. They still lost. If india ever decide to prep in a similar way vs australia, they would beat them.

 

[Junaids]

yea keep making excuses for their previous loss to india. I agree about the ageing squad but it's not bumrah and some mediocrities like the ones that exist in australia barring cummins and like wise in pakistam with literally nobody except perhaps shaheen. Even shaheen is still a nobody.

Shami is a world class bowler. ishant is a brilliant support bowler. If these 3 are fit and at their peak, anything is possible.

India don't prep well for away series because their schedules are always packed and there is limited time to get adapted to new surroundings.

Australia toured u.a.e and Bangladesh prior to facing india and even borrowed soil to practice for 2016 series. They still lost. If india ever decide to prep in a similar way vs australia, they would beat them.

The quarantine rules will force India to arrive at least 3 weeks before the First Test - there is zero chance that they will be relaxed by November, but it's possible that they will be strengthened.

So India will have no excuses - just like Pakistan in England now.

 

[Kashur_Kalkharab]

Both teams are going to struggle get wickets on those phattas. Matches are gonna be drawn.For India series always prepare a green top and you will most probably otherwise Indian batting is good enough to kill time to draw matches. India can't win there.

 

[U$ofA]

How is it the Ind is touring Aus again? I do not remember Aus going to Ind for tests. Shouldn't these things be alternating home and away?

Unless now the BCCI is pulling something similar to many of the other boards and skipping home tests as they lose $$$.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

India are going to get slaughtered.

Nobody seems to have noticed that they are a really, really old team.

Two years ago they were worthy of a 2-1 win over a weakened Australia. But they were at their peak, and Australia had literally no international class batsmen.

But this India team has been slaughtered for years every time it ventures into SENA. They got away with one series win in Australia because they played them at exactly the right moment, before they themselves went into decline and while Australia was at rock bottom.

India's bowling is basically Bumrah plus ageing mediocrities. They aren't going to get 20 Australian wickets in a Test at all for less than 500 runs.

Bookmarked this post,i am 100% sure you will be proved wrong.
I expect india to pick 20 wickets in each and every match except maybe at scg.
Batting will be our problem not bowling.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

India are going to get slaughtered.

Nobody seems to have noticed that they are a really, really old team.

Two years ago they were worthy of a 2-1 win over a weakened Australia. But they were at their peak, and Australia had literally no international class batsmen.

But this India team has been slaughtered for years every time it ventures into SENA. They got away with one series win in Australia because they played them at exactly the right moment, before they themselves went into decline and while Australia was at rock bottom.

India's bowling is basically Bumrah plus ageing mediocrities. They aren't going to get 20 Australian wickets in a Test at all for less than 500 runs.

I agree with this. India have no chance. Australia destroyed a much better team in New Zealand and their erstwhile journeyman cricketers like Starc and Labuschagne have , have overnight turned into world beaters . The problem seems to me to be that thos Indian team has aged together. Wouldn't you agree?

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

India will get the phainti of their life.I m really excited to see India getting thrashing.

Won't quite be in the league of 0- 12 though....

 

[Rajdeep]

TBH what posters like Junaids and BVB is predicting that we will get slaughtered in upcoming tour maybe correct. It may sound harsh but we are a poor test team away from home as evident from last NZ series. Also, its an ageing test team with Rahane, Ashwin, Shami etc on their last legs.

However, I dont agree that our last win was a fluke. Beating Australian team on their home turf even without Smith/Warner is tough for any Asian side. Dont forget, Australia was playing with full strength bowling attack.

 

[Hasan123]

India vs Australia is on. Great stuff.

 

[MenInG]

India’s tour to Australia is still a few months away and the excitement has already reached its peak. Virat Kohli-led Indian team is slated to travel to Australia this October for three-match T20I series. The two teams will later clash in 4 Test-match series and three ODI series as well with the first to be played at The Gabba from December 3. The last time Kohli’s team visited Australia, they scripted history as India won the series 2-1, becoming the first Asian nation to win a Test series in the country.

But this year, things could turn out to be different with former skipper and vice-captain Steve Smith and David Warner returning to the team. In the past couple of years, Australia have also managed to figure their strengths and weaknesses out, and look like a strong unit under coach Justin Langer.

But, none of the above factors concerns BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. The former India captain revealed that he has already spoken to Kohli about the series and told him that he expects him to win in Australia this year as well.

“I have said that to Virat also,” Ganguly told India Today in an interview. “I said, ‘because you’re Virat Kohli, your standards are high. When you walk to play, when you walk with your team, I, watching on TV, don’t expect you to just play well against Australia. I expect you to win.”

“So for me, that is what it is. Because you have set the standards. It’s not anybody else. So you have to live up to the standards’,” Ganguly further added.

Ganguly further said that he has been in touch with Kohli and is constantly speaking to the team on fitness levels amid the ongoing global pandemic. “I have been in touch with him [Kohli], telling him, ‘you have got to stay fit.’ You haven’t played cricket for six months, you don’t want your fast bowlers to come back and get injured. They have been training, [but] training and playing cricket is different,” he said.

“You have got to make sure your best bowlers are ready for the tour and fit. Whether it’s Shami, whether it’s [Jasprit] Bumrah, whether it’s Ishant [Sharma], whether it’s [Hardik] Pandya, they have to be at the top of their match fitness when they land in Australia,” Ganguly further added.

Speaking about the series, Ganguly acknowledged that it will be a tough encounter but maintained that he has faith in the team’s ability to register the win. “It’s going to be a tough series,” he said. “It’s not going to be what it was in 2018 when they went. It’s going to be a strong Australia but our team is as good. We have the batting, we have the bowling.

“Absolutely [hopeful of the team]. We just got to bat better. You know the best teams overseas, they bat well. When we were so successful away from home, in England, in Australia and in Pakistan, we were getting 400, 500 and 600 in Test matches,” he further added.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...virat-kohli/story-PKBC0TIwdwXX83VL3GDwaP.html

 

[pratiktc]

Don't think anyone can beat Aus with Smith at home.
Hope it will not be a one sided series atleast

 

[Snowflake]

India’s tour to Australia is still a few months away and the excitement has already reached its peak. Virat Kohli-led Indian team is slated to travel to Australia this October for three-match T20I series. The two teams will later clash in 4 Test-match series and three ODI series as well with the first to be played at The Gabba from December 3. The last time Kohli’s team visited Australia, they scripted history as India won the series 2-1, becoming the first Asian nation to win a Test series in the country.

But this year, things could turn out to be different with former skipper and vice-captain Steve Smith and David Warner returning to the team. In the past couple of years, Australia have also managed to figure their strengths and weaknesses out, and look like a strong unit under coach Justin Langer.

But, none of the above factors concerns BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. The former India captain revealed that he has already spoken to Kohli about the series and told him that he expects him to win in Australia this year as well.

“I have said that to Virat also,” Ganguly told India Today in an interview. “I said, ‘because you’re Virat Kohli, your standards are high. When you walk to play, when you walk with your team, I, watching on TV, don’t expect you to just play well against Australia. I expect you to win.”

“So for me, that is what it is. Because you have set the standards. It’s not anybody else. So you have to live up to the standards’,” Ganguly further added.

Ganguly further said that he has been in touch with Kohli and is constantly speaking to the team on fitness levels amid the ongoing global pandemic. “I have been in touch with him [Kohli], telling him, ‘you have got to stay fit.’ You haven’t played cricket for six months, you don’t want your fast bowlers to come back and get injured. They have been training, [but] training and playing cricket is different,” he said.

“You have got to make sure your best bowlers are ready for the tour and fit. Whether it’s Shami, whether it’s [Jasprit] Bumrah, whether it’s Ishant [Sharma], whether it’s [Hardik] Pandya, they have to be at the top of their match fitness when they land in Australia,” Ganguly further added.

Speaking about the series, Ganguly acknowledged that it will be a tough encounter but maintained that he has faith in the team’s ability to register the win. “It’s going to be a tough series,” he said. “It’s not going to be what it was in 2018 when they went. It’s going to be a strong Australia but our team is as good. We have the batting, we have the bowling.

“Absolutely [hopeful of the team]. We just got to bat better. You know the best teams overseas, they bat well. When we were so successful away from home, in England, in Australia and in Pakistan, we were getting 400, 500 and 600 in Test matches,” he further added.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...virat-kohli/story-PKBC0TIwdwXX83VL3GDwaP.html

Ganguly sounds like the BD board's president with that micro management! Telling the captain of the team that you have to win... Because otherwise, Kohli wouldn't know what the goal is!

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Since IPL will be played before Australian series there is a danger that Bumrah who is prone to injuries might get injured before the tour. I am not sure whether other bowlers like Shami or Ishant play in IPL but they need to be protected as well.

 

[Ab Fan]

Since IPL will be played before Australian series there is a danger that Bumrah who is prone to injuries might get injured before the tour. I am not sure whether other bowlers like Shami or Ishant play in IPL but they need to be protected as well.

They need to get the rythm right before they tour Australia. So, need to play some cricket before touring Australia otherwise there is no stopping from a 4-0 loss for us.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Won't quite be in the league of 0- 12 though....

whatever man! what makes me more happy is India getting phainti in their overseas tours apart from one series win which was against a way weaker Australian side India has won nothing for last 10 years or so.HTBs of highest order.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

whatever man! what makes me more happy is India getting phainti in their overseas tours apart from one series win which was against a way weaker Australian side India has won nothing for last 10 years or so.HTBs of highest order.

Still better than getting phaintas in the uAe at the hands of Sri Lanka and NZ

 

[MenInG]

Cricket Australia has announced a Dec. 3 start to the domestic Twenty20 competition which is set to begin the same day the first Test between Australia and India opens in Brisbane.

The Women's Big Bash League, meanwhile, will kick off on the weekend of October 17 and 18 at Allan Border Field in Brisbane and Perth. Hobart and Adelaide will host matches during the second weekend of the tournament and the regular season is due to end in Melbourne on November 22.

Still to be determined is whether the Twenty20 World Cup, set for Oct. 18 to Nov. 15 in Australia, will go ahead. All international cricket was suspended in March because of the coronavirus lockdown and Test cricket has only just resumed in England.

The 16-team T20 World Cup has a number of matches scheduled in Victoria state, a current hotbed of COVID-19 which has resulted in a six-week lockdown in Melbourne.

The 10th season of Australia’s Big Bash League is set to end on Feb. 6, depending on the continuing pandemic. The first BBL night match will start at the Adelaide Oval just as play ends in the first Test in Brisbane.

Cricket Australia has several contingency plans in case of further coronavirus shutdowns.

"While we know that the challenging, fast-changing coronavirus pandemic could ultimately mean revisions to the schedule, there is nonetheless a lot to like about the way both competitions are shaping up,” BBL head Alistair Dobson said.

Rule changes for this year’s competition have yet to be finalized, with the most notable shift likely to be a player draft for international signings.

The last major international event staged in Australia before the coronavirus lockdown was the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup final in March, when Australia beat India in front of more than 86,000 spectators in Melbourne.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...australia-border-gavaskar/article32086728.ece

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Originally Posted by Invincible Gujjar :
whatever man! what makes me more happy is India getting phainti in their overseas tours apart from one series win which was against a way weaker Australian side India has won nothing for last 10 years or so.HTBs of highest order.

Still better than getting phaintas in the uAe at the hands of Sri Lanka and NZ

U forgot WI....

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Don't think anyone can beat Aus with Smith at home.
Hope it will not be a one sided series atleast

Its more Aus bowling that is beast machine and all of MS, JH PC, Patinson, JR, are fit....india is a 1.5 or 1.75 batsman army...if VK and che Pu fire, then you can see totals northwards of 250-300 else......dont know about Gill / shaw / Iyer /Nair ifthey will be tried, but hopefully we'll discover one of these as a long time prospect....

 

[sweep_shot]

Australia should win. They have Warner and Smith this time.

 

[tyron_woodley]

if india wins the tosses I expect another series win. Toss will always be a deciding factor in SENA. As much as you guys hate to admit it, stats are there to substantiate that notion.

Even whilst winning tosses, powerful home bullies like india and australia would still crush teams, especially at home.

However india under kohli have never lost away when they win the toss. Good luck to both teams.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

if india wins the tosses I expect another series win. Toss will always be a deciding factor in SENA. As much as you guys hate to admit it, stats are there to substantiate that notion.

Even whilst winning tosses, powerful home bullies like india and australia would still crush teams, especially at home.

However india under kohli have never lost away when they win the toss. Good luck to both teams.

Toss this, toss that lol. I have never seen anyone as obsessed with tosses as you are here lol.

May be our kaptaan [MENTION=145503]Mueez[/MENTION] can help you with this? He is on a toss winning streak in PPCL.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

It's gonna be a cracker. Hopefully both teams arrive fit, healthy and ready to play top class cricket.

 

[Firebat]

Really cannot split the 2 teams, but the series being in Australia means I would just edge it for them. Smith, Warner and Labuschagne just look unstoppable in Australian conditions right now. The form of those 3 alone elevate Australia many many levels compared to the side India beat.

 

[Rajdeep]

Toss this, toss that lol. I have never seen anyone as obsessed with tosses as you are here lol.

May be our kaptaan [MENTION=145503]Mueez[/MENTION] can help you with this? He is on a toss winning streak in PPCL.

The reason we discuss about toss because it plays a huge part in test cricket. If home team wins the toss, it gives them a massive advantage and 60% of the game is done there. Also Kohli has flawless record whenever he won the toss....so its definitely a huge factor.

In 2018 Eng tour, Kohli lost all toss and result was 4-1:
Test 1(B'ham) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 2(Lords) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 3(T'Bridge) - Eng won toss but Ind won the game. A rarity.
Test 4(Southampton) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 5(Oval) - Eng won toss and game.

Same in last Aust tour:
Test 1(Adelaide) - Ind won toss...won match
Test 2(Perth)- Aust won toss...won match
Test 3(MCG) - Ind won toss...won match
Test 4(SCG) - Ind won toss...tie game due to rain.

Same in last SA tour:
Test 1(Cape Town) - SA won the toss and game.
Test 2(Centurion) - SA won the toss and game.
Test 3(Jburg) - Ind won the toss and game.

Same in last NZ tour:
Test 1(Basin Reserve) - NZ won the toss and game.
Test 2(Hagley Oval) - NZ won the toss and game.

I have no doubt India would have won all the above series had toss luck was with us.

If I were you I would just pray Aust wins most of the toss in the upcoming series...else the result will be same like last time

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Still better than getting phaintas in the uAe at the hands of Sri Lanka and NZ

as long as my beloved India is losing overseas and i m sure they will keep losing for a long time I would be quite happy with their achievements my beloved India

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

The reason we discuss about toss because it plays a huge part in test cricket. If home team wins the toss, it gives them a massive advantage and 60% of the game is done there. Also Kohli has flawless record whenever he won the toss....so its definitely a huge factor.

In 2018 Eng tour, Kohli lost all toss and result was 4-1:
Test 1(B'ham) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 2(Lords) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 3(T'Bridge) - Eng won toss but Ind won the game. A rarity.
Test 4(Southampton) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 5(Oval) - Eng won toss and game.

Same in last Aust tour:
Test 1(Adelaide) - Ind won toss...won match
Test 2(Perth)- Aust won toss...won match
Test 3(MCG) - Ind won toss...won match
Test 4(SCG) - Ind won toss...tie game due to rain.

Same in last SA tour:
Test 1(Cape Town) - SA won the toss and game.
Test 2(Centurion) - SA won the toss and game.
Test 3(Jburg) - Ind won the toss and game.

Same in last NZ tour:
Test 1(Basin Reserve) - NZ won the toss and game.
Test 2(Hagley Oval) - NZ won the toss and game.

I have no doubt India would have won all the above series had toss luck was with us.

If I were you I would just pray Aust wins most of the toss in the upcoming series...else the result will be same like last time

Lol look who is talking about luck now? Few posts above you had problems when I said we were lucky that Australia didn't have Warner and Smith in their line up last time and now you are talking about luck yourself.

A great team should learn to win irrespective of winning/losing tosses. Obviously a sore loser like you will never understand.

 

[CanadianG00se]

IMO

It’s 75% Australia and 25% India.

India would’ve to play out of their skin to win the series. Ordinary series like NZ would result in whitewash.

 

[Sam99]

The reason we discuss about toss because it plays a huge part in test cricket. If home team wins the toss, it gives them a massive advantage and 60% of the game is done there. Also Kohli has flawless record whenever he won the toss....so its definitely a huge factor.

In 2018 Eng tour, Kohli lost all toss and result was 4-1:
Test 1(B'ham) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 2(Lords) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 3(T'Bridge) - Eng won toss but Ind won the game. A rarity.
Test 4(Southampton) - Eng won toss and game.
Test 5(Oval) - Eng won toss and game.

Same in last Aust tour:
Test 1(Adelaide) - Ind won toss...won match
Test 2(Perth)- Aust won toss...won match
Test 3(MCG) - Ind won toss...won match
Test 4(SCG) - Ind won toss...tie game due to rain.

Same in last SA tour:
Test 1(Cape Town) - SA won the toss and game.
Test 2(Centurion) - SA won the toss and game.
Test 3(Jburg) - Ind won the toss and game.

Same in last NZ tour:
Test 1(Basin Reserve) - NZ won the toss and game.
Test 2(Hagley Oval) - NZ won the toss and game.

I have no doubt India would have won all the above series had toss luck was with us.

If I were you I would just pray Aust wins most of the toss in the upcoming series...else the result will be same like last time

** stats. Aus series no matter even if kohli would have lost all toss they were going to win series cause Aussies were literally pathetic. So your stats is only based on one test match win against SA. I agree kohli has lost alot toss but there is no guarantee that he would have won so many matches based on one match result.

 

[Rajdeep]

** stats. Aus series no matter even if kohli would have lost all toss they were going to win series cause Aussies were literally pathetic. So your stats is only based on one test match win against SA. I agree kohli has lost alot toss but there is no guarantee that he would have won so many matches based on one match result.

Not sure if I would agree on that. Even without Smith-Warner they were a pretty strong team. A top bowling attack of Starc-Cummins-Hazelwood-Lyon and a decent batting like up consists of Finch- Khwaja- Marsh etc. is far from being pathetic. At home even with that team they would beat most Asian sides.

The fact that India won both the matches where they won the toss and Aust went onto win the only game they won the toss suggests that toss played a huge part.

In the SA series, pitches were like minefield in the 4th innings. Toss played a huge part on that tour as it was almost impossible to chase anything batting last.

Toss played a huge part in Eng series too, especially in the Lords test. Had Kohli won even a single toss there, I have no doubt atleast the series would have been 3-2.

Mark my words, we will win every test match (except maybe in Gabba) in the upcoming series where Kohli will win the toss irrespective of Smith/Warner in the team and will lose every match if we are on the wrong side of the coin.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Toss this, toss that lol. I have never seen anyone as obsessed with tosses as you are here lol.

May be our kaptaan [MENTION=145503]Mueez[/MENTION] can help you with this? He is on a toss winning streak in PPCL.

india have lost zero games when they have won the toss in SENA under kohli.

Toss matters

 

[Romali_rotti]

As much as I want India to win::: India is going to get a beating and half when they come here... India just wont be able to contain Steve Smith, the best bat in the world...

 

[tyron_woodley]

Not sure if I would agree on that. Even without Smith-Warner they were a pretty strong team. A top bowling attack of Starc-Cummins-Hazelwood-Lyon and a decent batting like up consists of Finch- Khwaja- Marsh etc. is far from being pathetic. At home even with that team they would beat most Asian sides.

The fact that India won both the matches where they won the toss and Aust went onto win the only game they won the toss suggests that toss played a huge part.

In the SA series, pitches were like minefield in the 4th innings. Toss played a huge part on that tour as it was almost impossible to chase anything batting last.

Toss played a huge part in Eng series too, especially in the Lords test. Had Kohli won even a single toss there, I have no doubt atleast the series would have been 3-2.

Mark my words, we will win every test match (except maybe in Gabba) in the upcoming series where Kohli will win the toss irrespective of Smith/Warner in the team and will lose every match if we are on the wrong side of the coin.

don't forget india will actually be fully fit and well rested for once. India also never take the time to prep well for SENA due to a packed schedule.

Australia do prepare well in advance before they tour india and still get their butts kicked.

I am not saying india will win the series as it's hard to predict. But I am certain it will be a very hard fought series. If kohli wins the tosses then india have a massive chance of winning the series again.

Win the toss and always bat first in australia. Always.

yes great teams should be able to negate tosses but it's hard to prepare for a series especially india considering their busy schedule. In the past, teams would prepare specifically for a upcoming test series by playing a bunch of first class matches on foreign soil before starting the official games.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

India will get the beating of a lifetime. I think 4-0 to Australia with 2 innings victories.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

In 2014 when we toured australia we had no quality fast bowlers and still we lost by 2-0, i do not think that 4-0 is possible, but lets see

 

[King_Kohli]

Team India to go under 2 weeks quarantine period in Australia. Cricket Australia CEO said that they're working on to make sure that within that quarantine period, the players get best training facilities, so their preparation is as optimal as it can possibly be.

 

[U$ofA]

I still don't understand how/why Ind is touring Aus. Isn't it Aus turn to tour Ind? Unless I missed a whole test series somewhere. I thought these were supposed to be home/away alternates.

 

[Geil]

Kohli complaining about the hectic schedule wont have a chance to make an excuse about that with a long rest due to pandemic, playing international cricket after a long gap wont be easy for both India & Australia unless they have IPl as planned before the tour of Australia but it looks really tough for IPL happening with all foreign players participating

 

[Firebat]

India’s tour of Australia could start with limited-overs instead of Tests: Report

A combination of factors including schedule, player fatigue and viability could mean India’s tour of Australia could reportedly start with the limited-overs leg instead of the four Tests later this year.

There has been no official confirmation from BCCI or Cricket Australia on the change of schedule but according to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the discussion to start the series with ODIs and T20Is is already on the table.

According to the tentative schedule released by Cricket Australia in May this year, India were slated to play three T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup, which has now been postponed, three ODIs and four Tests starting from December 3 at Brisbane.

Because of changes in schedule due to Covid -19 pandemic, the T20Is were postponed to 2022 before the T20 World in Australia and it was determined that India will start their tour with the Test series.

“The one big advantage of playing half-a-dozen white-ball matches - T20Is and ODIs - at the front end of the tour will mean no games are lost from the original schedule after it was expected that the T20Is would be shifted to 2022 alongside the World Cup in the same format,” stated the report.

If it does happen then that would mean India will have to fly with a large squad with their Test and T20I specialists together just like Pakistan did for their ongoing England tour.

“That schedule is likely to change due to a combination of factors, one of which is the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne, which forced the city into a lockdown that is due to last until mid-September. Consequently, matches are likely to be played at reduced venues to ensure there is minimal movement and players are safe within the bubble. A Test series spaced across four cities and as many states is increasingly unlikely,” the report added.

Another major factor is the one-off Test between Australia and Afghanistan which is supposed to be a day-night affair. CA apparently has already conveyed the Afghanistan Cricket Board of the start-date of the Test match to be shifted from the original 21st of November to 24th, which will leave only a four-day gap between it and the first India Test.

The report states, starting India series with limited-overs instead will be a better idea for both India and Australia cricketers. Indian cricketers too won’t have much time to prepare for the Test series as the in-house facilities like England are yet not finalised by Australia, which could well mean that Virat Kohli’s men have to spend their two-weeks of quarantine without much cricket practice.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...ests-report/story-3lnf8ERCxr6hBwkiIXEYdJ.html

 

[Bhaijaan]

India’s tour of Australia could start with limited-overs instead of Tests: Report

A combination of factors including schedule, player fatigue and viability could mean India’s tour of Australia could reportedly start with the limited-overs leg instead of the four Tests later this year.

There has been no official confirmation from BCCI or Cricket Australia on the change of schedule but according to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the discussion to start the series with ODIs and T20Is is already on the table.

According to the tentative schedule released by Cricket Australia in May this year, India were slated to play three T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup, which has now been postponed, three ODIs and four Tests starting from December 3 at Brisbane.

Because of changes in schedule due to Covid -19 pandemic, the T20Is were postponed to 2022 before the T20 World in Australia and it was determined that India will start their tour with the Test series.

“The one big advantage of playing half-a-dozen white-ball matches - T20Is and ODIs - at the front end of the tour will mean no games are lost from the original schedule after it was expected that the T20Is would be shifted to 2022 alongside the World Cup in the same format,” stated the report.

If it does happen then that would mean India will have to fly with a large squad with their Test and T20I specialists together just like Pakistan did for their ongoing England tour.

“That schedule is likely to change due to a combination of factors, one of which is the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne, which forced the city into a lockdown that is due to last until mid-September. Consequently, matches are likely to be played at reduced venues to ensure there is minimal movement and players are safe within the bubble. A Test series spaced across four cities and as many states is increasingly unlikely,” the report added.

Another major factor is the one-off Test between Australia and Afghanistan which is supposed to be a day-night affair. CA apparently has already conveyed the Afghanistan Cricket Board of the start-date of the Test match to be shifted from the original 21st of November to 24th, which will leave only a four-day gap between it and the first India Test.

The report states, starting India series with limited-overs instead will be a better idea for both India and Australia cricketers. Indian cricketers too won’t have much time to prepare for the Test series as the in-house facilities like England are yet not finalised by Australia, which could well mean that Virat Kohli’s men have to spend their two-weeks of quarantine without much cricket practice.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...ests-report/story-3lnf8ERCxr6hBwkiIXEYdJ.html

Pathetic.

India is not playing any tests

 

[tyron_woodley]

I still don't understand how/why Ind is touring Aus. Isn't it Aus turn to tour Ind? Unless I missed a whole test series somewhere. I thought these were supposed to be home/away alternates.

Australia need money and they are basically begging india to play them. So india has to oblige because india feels sorry for them

 

[Indiafan]

Pathetic.

India is not playing any tests

Where did you get no tests? They are just pushing tests to the end of the tour instead of the beginning

 

[Bhaijaan]

Where did you get no tests? They are just pushing tests to the end of the tour instead of the beginning

I meant to say it's been so long we played tests.

Seeing Pakistan, England, West Indies playing tests is annoying me. Such a long wait

 

[OffDrive]

Indians won’t get quarantine wish on Aussie tour.

The Indian touring party should expect to spend a full two weeks in quarantine when they arrive for the Test summer despite calls from BCCI president Sourav Ganguly for it to be “reduced a bit”

India’s four-Test series will go ahead despite confirmation the T20 World Cup, which was to be staged in Australia in October and November, would be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia is still in line to host one of two back-to-back World Cups in 2021 and 2022, with India to host the other.

Interim Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley said despite ongoing uncertainty as the pandemic continues to plague the world, the expectation was India would be here in December.

He said there would be a “huge amount at stake” if it didn’t happen.

Hockley said travel exemptions would be needed and a “testing regime” established for Indian players, with plans for a biosecure bubble, potentially in Adelaide where a hotel is attached to Adelaide Oval, to host the tourists for their mandated 14-days in quarantine after arrival.

Last week Ganguly, who is currently self-isolating at home in India after his brother tested positive to coronavirus, said he didn’t want his players to “sit in hotel rooms for two weeks”.

“It is very, very depressing and disappointing,” Ganguly said.

“Australia and New Zealand have been in good position except Melbourne. So from that point of view we will be going there and hopefully the quarantine days will be less and we can get back to cricket.”

But Hockley said the quarantine period was “well-defined” and CA was in discussions to provide the Indians with facilities to ensure their preparations for the series were “optimal”.

“Whether it’s a hotel on site or hotels in close proximity to venues, certainly creating that environment where we are minimising risk of infections and creating a biosecure environment is the absolute priority,” he said.

“There’s a huge amount at stake if we are unable to do that.

“We will need to get exemptions. Its unlikely international travel restrictions will have lifted by the time India are due in to the country.

“Clearly there will be testing regimes … before they get on the plane, then making sure we have the quarantine regulations in lines.

“All those plans are currently in development.”

Hockley said CA had been taking lessons from the football codes in Australia, and the Test series being staged between England and the West Indies, about staging events in the current environment.

But he said cricket had a wider “portfolio” of events with the Test series, more international matches, BBL, WBBL and Sheffield Shield to consider.

“What’s clear is we are going to have to have a level of flexibility,” he said.

“It’s by no means going to be a normal summer.”

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...r/news-story/5d2a69be8ed31831faad1a3d01e24117

Who do these Indians think they are? In Australia the rules apply to everyone, what a disgrace these Indians are.

 

[MenInG]

India captain Virat Kohli is likely to travel to Australia later this year despite his wife expecting their first child in January, a key Indian cricket board (BCCI) official told Reuters on Friday. Kohli’s social media post announcing his wife’s pregnancy went viral on Thursday, drawing good wishes from several India team mates.

Media reports Down Under said Cricket Australia (CA) and its broadcasters would be “holding their breath” over the availability of one of the biggest drawcards of world cricket.

“He’s available for the tour, at least he has not said anything to the contrary,” said the official, who asked to remain anonymous. “Now, if he has to come back in the middle of the tour, he has not said anything about that either. Of, course there’s plenty of time before the series.”

Beginning on December 3 in Brisbane, India will play four tests in Australia, sandwiched between three Twenty20 Internationals and an equal number of one-dayers. The series against India is reportedly worth 300 million Australian dollars ($220 million) to CA, which has already lost this year’s Twenty20 World Cup to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now host the tournament in 2022.

CA is also under pressure from the broadcasters with the boss of Australia’s Channel Seven threatening to terminate their contract over the board’s handling of the summer schedule.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...alia-source/story-phGFHvU4Vk0oKFOYaqkXOJ.html

 

[MenInG]

The three outgoing selectors -- Devang Gandhi, Jatin Paranjape and Sarandeep Singh -- are likely to stay at least till the jumbo India squad for the year-end tour of Australia is announced, primarily to ensure continuity.

Gandhi, Paranjape and Singh are completing their four-year-term (three plus one) on September 30, but the BCCI is unlikely to interview the aspiring candidates anytime soon and will instead persist with the existing committee.

The PTI can confirm that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Madan Lal (head), Rudra Pratap Singh and Sulakshana Naik, hasn't yet received any intimation from the Board regarding the conduct of interviews for the three soon-to-be-vacant posts.

"Yes, the CAC hasn't been sent any intimation as of now. Obviously, the COVID-19 lockdown has put all plans in disarray and now, the focus is on IPL. Also there is no domestic cricket being held at the moment," a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

There is a school of thought within the BCCI that at this point in time, with the IPL starting, it is better that the three outgoing panel members remain at least till the Indian squad for the Australia tour is announced.

The team will be announced between the second and third week of October.

"If you look, MSK Prasad and Gagan Khoda were replaced in March, 2020 and not September, 2019. There is absolutely no harm if Devang, Jatin and Sarandeep help out Sunil and Harvinder for Australia series and may be the England series.

"They have covered domestic cricket extensively and they have a fair idea about bench strength," the source added.

The Supreme Court hearing on the BCCI petition for a cooling-off period waiver for president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah is another factor.

The announcement of new selectors conventionally happens during the AGM as the selection panel is a sub-committee of the BCCI.

23-25 member playing squad for Australia tour

Keeping the health safety concerns and security in mind, the BCCI is likely to send an extended playing squad to Australia whose strength will be anything between 23 to 25.

"It is only logical that at least 23 to 25 players are carried just like Pakistan and West Indies did in England.

"There is no need to call net bowlers from outside and if the players from India A squad also goes, it would help us in having a proper four-day first-class match simulation in bio-bubble," a BCCI official, privy to the development, told PTI.

There is a possibility that the support staff, led by head coach Ravi Shastri, as well as the players who won't be part of IPL play-offs, will reach Australia directly by the end of October or the first week of November, with the others joining the bubble after finishing their IPL engagements.

https://www.outlookindia.com/websit...-jumbo-squad-in-their-final-assignment/359872

 

[MenInG]

Spin legend Shane Warne has urged Cricket Australia to keep the iconic MCG as the venue for the Boxing Day Test against India later this year despite growing COVID-19 cases in the state of Victoria. The governing body is set to announce the schedule for India’s tour of Australia this week which will include four Tests and there are fears that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) may lose the Boxing Day Test.

“Cricket is the 2nd biggest sport in the world behind soccer(fact) & the biggest day on the Aust sporting calendar is the Boxing Day test. We must try & do everything possible to keep it at the MCG this year. FYI- The Melb Cup & the AFL GF are the next biggest events in Aust !,” Warne wrote on his twitter handle.

Indian cricket team’s much-anticipated tour will begin with a Day/Night Test either in Adelaide or Brisbane instead of favoured Perth after Western Australia state government made it clear that there won’t be any relaxation in quarantine guidelines in their territory.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has traditionally hosted the Boxing Day Test (second match) but there are speculations that Adelaide may host the game due to COVID-19 restrictions. Perth is also an option.

A report in ‘the Age’ said that “the MCG is expected to be named as the host of the Boxing Day Test despite ongoing fears it may be moved.”

Sydney could host back-to-back Tests or just the third game, while the fourth and final Test could be held in Brisbane. India’s tour is likely to start with limited-overs matches (T20 series) before the action shifts to the four-Test series.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...t-melbourne/story-Bqh0kQw5C4cEg60gHuDWoL.html

 

[The Viper]

Adelaide Oval’s onsite hotel to serve as biosecure bubble for Test series against India

Those players not involved in the Indian Premier League, as well as coaching and support staff, will make the Adelaide Oval their home once the white-ball tour of England concludes following Wednesday's third ODI in Manchester.

The Adelaide Oval’s onsite hotel is set to serve as biosecure bubble for the Australian men’s squad ahead of the high-profile Test series against India later this year, according to media reports.

Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Saturday that its national squad would return form the current tour of the UK to Adelaide for its mandatory quarantine period and preparation for the upcoming home season, including the tour by the Indians, a report in cricket.com.au said.

Those players not involved in the Indian Premier League, as well as coaching and support staff, will make the Adelaide Oval their home once the white-ball tour of England concludes following Wednesday’s third ODI in Manchester.

They can train throughout their quarantine period at the new Oval Hotel based at Adelaide Oval.

For Australia players like Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade, the quarantine period at Adelaide Oval biosecure bubble will mark the start of preparation for a Test summer against heavyweights India and potentially Afghanistan.

“I can’t wait for India to come out … that’s the pinnacle, like the Ashes,” Lyon was quoted as saying by the report in cricket.com.au.

“You look at the great players India’s got, it’s going to be a massive challenge.”
According to the report, CA also “remains in productive conversations with state governments regarding arrival and quarantine arrangements for the Indian team, as well as Australian players returning from the IPL in the UAE”.

“We are happy that we are able to assist the Australian men’s cricket team on their return to South Australia and at Adelaide Oval in the Oval Hotel,” said SACA Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw in a CA statement.

“Rest assured we have undergone rigorous procedures with Premier Steven Marshall and the SA Government, to ensure the safety of the public and the players. Our hope is that the Oval Hotel can continue to be used in the successful staging of international cricket this season.”

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...bubble-for-test-series-against-india-6593214/

 

[MenInG]

Australia head coach Justin Langer has hinted that they will go with tried and tested players when India arrive for a four-Test series at the end of the year unless an exceptional performer emerges from the Sheffield Shield.

The series, India’s first since February-March contest in New Zealand, is set to start on December 3 but there is still some confusion over the venues since different Australian states have different lockdown protocols.

“We’ve been able to play some great Test cricket in the last 12-18 months. We’re ranked number one at the moment and there’s reasons for that,” Langer told AAP from Adelaide on Monday.

Langer’s statements were an indicator that he wants to field experienced players against India.

They played only 12 players in five home Tests, last season.

“In our mind, it’s pretty clear at the moment what that first Test squad would be, but it’s exciting to see if anyone else is going to put their hand up.

“If someone’s banging so hard on the door (in the Sheffield Shield) that we can’t ignore them, that’s what we’re looking for.”

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...es-against-india-hints-justin-langer-6604905/

 

[leg-side-flick]

I have a feeling that india ko phainta lagne wala hai

 

[tyron_woodley]

I have a feeling that india ko phainta lagne wala hai

I feel like other way around. with no crowd to harrass the players mentally etc india might beat them again. India always turn it up vs Aussies but let's see.

No excuses though. both teams should be fully fit unless they lack match practice.