Team India will be up for a challenge when they face off against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium. The tracks in the region have often been hostile to the visitors, and India could face dire challenges from the first test match at the Optus Stadium. Before the team heads into Perth, the Men in Blue are expected to encounter challenges as the stadium’s pitch curator suggests so.
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India May Experience Good Pace And Bounce In Perth Tracks, Says AUS Head Pitch Curator
The tracks in Perth have often been notorious for delivering fiery spells, and the same could be expected when Team India visits Australia for the first Test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy series. As per ESPNCricinfo, Optus Stadium pitch curator Isaac McDonald said that the surface has been prepared to offer good bounce and pace true to the tradition of the fiery tracks in Perth.
“This is Australia, this is Perth… I’m setting ourselves up for really good pace, really good bounce and really good carry,” Western Australia Cricket head curator Isaac McDonald said.
McDonald is attempting to prepare a pitch with similar characteristics to the one he prepared for the first Test against Pakistan in December last year. Pakistan were bowled out for 89 in the second innings, and Australia won by 360 runs. As the match progressed, the pitch developed cracks, and batters such as Marnus Labuschagne took blows to the hands. But AUS’ pace battery – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc – grabbed 12 of the 20 Pakistan wickets.
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Issac McDonald wants to add some spice to the upcoming match-up, and he is looking to leave some grass on the pitch.
“It’s (10 mm) a good starting point. Ten millimetres was pretty comfortable with the conditions that we had (last year) and that held the conditions together nicely for the first few days. Live grass on the pitch is speed.
“Both bowling units (Australia and Pakistan) were pretty rapid last year and hoping for much the same this year (for India match),” Pitch Curator McDonald said.
Daily Republic News
