The Australia cricket team will travel to India in February 2023 to participate in a four-match Test series and a three-match ODI series. The Test series is particularly significant because it will be the last contest for both teams in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-2023. Australia is almost certain to qualify for the final of the WTC after their recent 2-0 victory over South Africa in a three-match Test series. However, India’s chances of advancing to the final depend heavily on how they perform in the four Test matches.
The last time Australia won a Test series against India was when they toured in 2004-05. Since then, India has managed to defend their home turf, allowing only one Test win to the visiting team. Despite this, Australia captain Pat Cummins is feeling confident ahead of the upcoming tour to India. In an interview after the drawn Test against South Africa on Sunday, Cummins said that the team will use the experience they gained from playing in subcontinent conditions against Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year to adapt well in India.
“I think we’re as good a chance as we’re ever going to be. It was another fantastic summer. I feel like we’re adapting really well. Having the experience of Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year has put us in really good stead for India,” Cummins said. “No one is going over there blind. We’ll use the next few weeks to reflect on the next 12 months and then get over there really refreshed and eager,” he added.
Cummins also provided insight into the team selection process, which is scheduled to take place this month. Given the spin-friendly conditions in India, Cummins hinted at the possibility of selecting spinner Ashton Agar along with veteran Nathon Lyon. Although Agar went wicketless in the Sydney Test against South Africa, Cummins has expressed confidence in his abilities.
“A left-arm orthodox, he’ll(Ashton Agar) absolutely be there. It wasn’t an audition at all. I thought he did really well. There was 800 runs and three wickets for spin during the game. It wasn’t easy for him but I thought he did his role well. Hoping it would have broken up a bit more, spun a bit more. It probably wasn’t a classic India wicket we would have expected,” Cummins said.
Currently, Australia tops the standings for the WTC final with a point-percentage of 75.56%, while India is in second place with 58.93%.
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