Australia vs India: Hosts put forth the playing eleven for Perth Test

Australia fought tooth nail in their opening Test of the four-match series against India at the renowned Adelaide Oval. However, despite their relentless efforts, the team couldn’t get over the line and lost by 31 runs. Their batters and bowlers were impressive, to say the least, but weren’t quite consistent enough and consequently, the visitors kept turning the screws on them.

The second Test is scheduled to get underway on Friday, December 14 at the new Perth Stadium and Tim Paine and Co have a stern challenge ahead of them to counter the vibrant Indian team and maybe draw level in the series, which won’t be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination. In the meantime, Australia have named their playing eleven for the upcoming encounter.

Any changes?

The close defeat in the erstwhile contest didn’t force the Aussies to change their playing eleven. The trio- of Mitchell Marsh, Chris Tremain, and Peter Siddle- would have to wait for a few more days in order to don the national colours. Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris, as the opening pair, would be keen to get the Indian bowlers on the mat, right from the outset.

The onus would be on the left-handers- Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh- as well as Peter Handscomb. The Aussies would breathe a sigh of relief for the reason that their skipper is a part of the eleven after he suffered a blow on his troublesome right hand’s index finger. Travis Head would want to carry over his rich vein of form to Perth.

The pace bowling trio remains to be the same. On a pitch, which is speculated to provide prodigious pace and bounce to the fast bowlers, the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood would be licking their fingers. Nathan Lyon is the lone spin-bowling option.

Here is the playing eleven

Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine (C & wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

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