The time has arrived. Friday will commence a five-Test battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia has not played a Test match since March. Therefore, it is essential to look at each player’s form and schedule ahead of the series. Here is the rundown for the expected Australia XI in Perth.
Usman Khawaja
Our first opener has had a quiet warm-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, only playing for his state Queensland in Sheffield Shield and one-day formats. Not to say he had been underdone before the Test summer. Five matches since the start of October means Khawaja has seen plenty of the cherry.
His highlights include a pair of 50s in the Shield against Western Australia and New South Wales. Khawaja should be well-equipped to take the leading role at the top of the order.
Nathan McSweeney
The most documented player coming into this series serves little surprise. One of the most prepared players due to the additional Australia A games helping build momentum for the South Australian, 88 unbeaten in the first of those games proving enough to get the opening spot.
Unproven at the top level but plenty of opportunity starting on Friday. His willingness to be flexible has seen an opportunity arise, questions will obviously remain if he’s the right choice to partner Khawaja.
Nathan McSweeney bats in Mackay. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus has had a busy month. State cricket for Queensland alongside two ODIs against Pakistan has seen no shortage of cricket. With that in mind, only one notable score of 77 not out against Western Australia in the Shield back at the start of October is worrying.
Marnus was poor in the ODIs as well with scores of a measly 16 and six. He needs a big Test summer, otherwise some pressure surely must begin to amount.
Steve Smith
Smith hasn’t had as much preparation as some others heading into this series. Two games for New South Wales and two games for Australia to boot. Smith has gotten starts but failed to get a big score with only one 50 against Victoria in a one-dayer.
He was one of the better batters for Australia in the ODI series, which was a low bar to set ultimately. Returning to No.4 there is optimism that Smith can get closer to his best.
Travis Head
Head comes into the series as the least prepared player, due to paternity leave. One Shield game is all he has for South Australia since the start of October. This could result in Head being an unknown heading into the series.
But as arguably Australia’s best batsman of 2023, I have no doubt he can get back to his best form. Australia will rely on him once again if the top order continues to underperform.
Mitch Marsh
Marsh didn’t play in Australia’s limited-overs games due to the birth of his first child. However, he did play two games for Western Australia, 94 being the highest score in the last two months. Marsh has been in career-best form over the last 12 months and with Cameron Green injured, has a real opportunity to make the No.6 spot his own for an extended period.
Alex Carey
Australia’s gloveman has had his limited-overs spot taken by Josh Inglis, resulting in Carey leading South Australia through October and November. Two centuries including 123 unbeaten against Queensland in the Shield puts him in career-best form and potentially the hottest Australia batter at the present moment.
Seven catches in that same match against Queensland shows Carey is ready for all India can throw his way.
Mitchell Starc
Starc’s one Shield game against Victoria saw him take 6/81 in the second innings. 3/33 in the first ODI at the MCG puts Starc in solid form. A long five-Test series will test his body and at 34 years old he may not play all five matches. Nonetheless, a big impact from Starc under the lights or with the new ball is all but guaranteed.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Pat Cummins
Cummins has had the same preparation as Starc. Australia’s captain will fancy his side’s chances but only three matches since July poses a challenge. No one should doubt Cummins as one of the best bowlers in the world. Like most of this squad, he falls on the underdone side.
No noticeable performances since the ODI side returned from England over the winter means we have to trust Cummins will step up once again.
Nathan Lyon
Lyon has had very unique preparation, spending the winter in England playing for Lancashire. His return to Australia has only seen two domestic appearances for New South Wales. 5/47 and 3/94 in his first game back against South Australia means there should be little concern for Lyon. He will continue to be a mainstay in this Australian team, enough said.
Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood has only played one domestic and one international game in the last two months. Neither saw a wicket taken which is rather concerning. Like Starc I suspect resting will be a requirement. Out of all the bowlers, Hazlewood is the most underdone.
Positive is he will be well rested but on the flip side Hazlewood will need time to dial in, something India could capitalise on.
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