Australia vs India: Warner and Smith to help hosts’ speedsters prepare for Test series

Australia haven’t had the best of times in Test cricket this year. After winning the home Ashes against England, they were marred by the ball-tampering scandal at Newlands in South Africa. The Aussies also lost the Test series in the Rainbow Nation following their resounding victory in the opening match. Tim Paine has been leading the team ever since and has been straining in the format.

Paine’s men are now set to play a four-match Test series against India. The opening match is scheduled to be played from December 6 at Adelaide Oval and they would be taking the field without their stalwarts- David Warner and Steve Smith, who are serving n year-long suspension.

Nevertheless, the duo would be present in the Aussie nets in order to give adequate practice to the home team’s batsmen ahead of the red-ball fixtures. Mitchell Starc, who is expected to spearhead the Australian bowling attack, sounded excited by their presence as per reports in Fairfax Media.

A delighted Mitchell Starc

“He’s (Smith) someone the three of us have bowled a fair bit to over the last little while at training. To get the view of a batsman who is facing us, get his opinion on how we’re tracking, is always great as well. There’s talking bowling coaches then there’s talking to the guys you’re bowling to. That’s a great opportunity to have him face us in our preparation leading up to the Tests,” Starc mentioned.

“He was around training (Thursday) with the Blues. We said we have a few overs to bowl next week and we said if you want to have a hit he was more than happy to oblige. It’ll be great to bowl to him in the nets. He’s one of the best in the world, to even get his thoughts on how we’re tracking will always be good for us,” the left-arm speedster added.

Australia recently played the three-match T20I series against the Men in Blue. The hosts won the opening match by four runs (DLS Method) in Brisbane after which the Melbourne T20I was washed off. India drew level by winning the deciding T20I at Sydney Cricket Ground by six wickets.

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