Australia women begin preparations for pink-ball Test in India in December

Australia women's team have begun their preparations for the day-night pink ball Test against India in December 2023. The match will be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai which would be India's first home women's Test since 2014. The last time Mumbai hosted a women's Test was in February 1984. 

India and Australia played a day-night Test at Carrara on the Gold Coast in October 2021 which ended in a draw. Given this, Australia's emerging all-rounder Annabel Sutherland stated that the team's coaches have started practicing with the pink ball since the coaches felt it would help them when they play in December.

"I think the coaches thought it could be a good chance just to have a try with the pink balls. We had a Test on the Gold Coast and weren't able to get a lot of preparation for that just because of the short notice for the series and with Covid [restrictions]," Sutherland was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. 

The 21-year-old further pointed out that the men's team often plays with red and white balls which help them later.

"You look at the men, they often swap between red and white balls within close windows of time, so if we can get comfortable with the pink ball, red ball, white ball, whatever it is, it'll certainly make the lead-up Test matches [easier]. Any chance you get to play in India is one that you look forward to," she added.

Sutherland, who turns 22 on October 12, stated that she would like to spend more time in the middle as she can watch out for the players in the top order.

"I'm always up for more time in the middle. I'm in the coach's ear all the time, I'm sure I'm annoying [coach Shelley Nitschke] just as much as a few others who are pretty keen for a hit. The girls up top are doing a pretty good job as always. I'm happy to be patient at the moment and watch the girls do their work up top," she concluded.