With Warner, Smith banned, India has the best chance to win in Australia – Michael Clarke

Australian cricket has been going through a turbulent time, especially after the ouster of three national cricketers following the sandpaper gate fiasco. Without Smith and Warner to bolster the hosts, cricket experts including ex-captain of Australia, Michael Clarke, feel that this is the best chance for India to win its maiden Test series Down Under.

And now with the cricketers serving bans varying from one year to nine months, the former Australia skipper feels the need for the team to rebuild quickly for the tough series against India later this year. India is slated to tour Australia this year-end. The 37-year-old said he would not like an Indian Test series victory over Australia to be undermined by talks over his country not being able to field a strong team due to the ban imposed on the trio.

Speaking at a book launch on Monday, Clarke was quoted saying by DNA India, “Australia is under pressure at the moment with everything that has happened. They need to try and work out what their team is going to be. They need to find a way and start to rebuild really quickly because it is a massive series considering we have never lost to India in Australia.”

He added, “So the current team needs to figure out how they are going to build on that success and beat a really good Indian team.”

The Sandpaper gate fiasco

Skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and fellow accomplice Cameron Bancroft were all suspended by the CA for their role in ball tampering during their tour to the rainbow nation.

The incident took place during the third Test between South Africa and Australia after Cameron Bancroft was spotted using a sandpaper to tamper the leather. Footage emerged on the giant screen of the Aussie seemingly working on the ball with a yellow item, before sliding it into his pants.

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