India vs Australia: Aussies go into Delhi Test with just one pacer, but Steve O'Keefe remains bullish the visitors can bounce back

17.02.2023 - 11:11 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

LIVE SCORE: 2nd Test, Day 1Australia lost the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series by an innings and 132 runs on a turning track, which prompted Cummins to go with just one quick and three spinners -- Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and debutant Matthew Kuhnemann -- in the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.This is the first time in more than five years that Australia are playing three regular spinners, with the previous occasion being the2017 Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, where the visitors went in with three tweakers -- Lyon, Ashton Agar and O'Keefe.

With pacers Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc not selected due to injury concerns and Josh Hazlewood succumbing to a left Achilles tendon issue, Cummins is the only quick who will do all the heavy lifting in the pace-bowling department.

Read Also2nd Test: Australia win toss, opt to bat against India in DelhiAustralia awarded a Test debut to left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and then opted to bat after skipper Pat Cummins won the toss on Friday in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Travis Head, who is back in the playing XI, and Marnus Labuschagne can also shoulder the bowling burden with their spin.Despite criticism of the Australian side following the debacle, O'Keefe said he remains positive about his team's chances in the four-Test series."I still remain bullish on the series with this Australian side," O'Keefe said on 'SEN Radio'."In India, in their last 43 Tests at home, they've lost two.

cricket bowling Test Pat Cummins Cameron Green Nathan Lyon Mitchell Starc Josh Hazlewood Ashton Agar Matthew Kuhnemann Todd Murphy Australia India state Indiana Bangladesh Delhi

Read more on the timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India vs Australia, 4th Test, Day 1 Live Score Updates: Rohit Sharma-led Team India will eye a World Test Championship final berth when they face Australia in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The match kicks off on March 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

"That's The Main Challenge": Daniel Vettori Weighs In On Pitches Used In India-Australia Tests

Todd Murphy a 22-year-old inexperienced Australian spinner has somehow found a way to keep up with the veteran spinners featuring in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Murphy found a way to keep up with the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Nathan Lyon. He is the talking point of the latest edition of the BGT series. "Todd has that skill that he can be a defensive bowler and he can be an attacking bowler and work around pretty much whatever is required from him in the game. For such a young and inexperienced spinner... to be able to come here and handle these tough situations and perform the role that's required has been impressive," Daniel Vettori said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo

Smith to captain Australia in fourth test as Cummins remains at home

Steve Smith will captain Australia in the fourth and final test against India starting on Thursday as regular captain Pat Cummins remains in Sydney with his family, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Monday.

"Was Carrying Hangover": Ex-India Star Critical Of Rohit Sharma And Co After Indore Test Loss

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels that the Indian team lost the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia as it was in the hangover of its dominance in the series by then. It is worth noting that the Indian team outplayed the guests in the first two Tests of the four-match series. The Rohit Sharma-led side won the first game by an innings and 132 runs in Nagpur before it registered a 6-wicket victory in New Delhi. However, Australia bounced back in the third game and defeated India by 9 wickets in Indore.

Indore pitch rated 'poor' after India-Australia test ends inside three days

The pitch used for the third test between India and Australia in Indore has been rated "poor", the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday after the match was completed early on the third day.