Big picture
Joe Burns is Will Truman. For the past, oh, it almost seems like decades, a whole country has been obsessed with it. At least Jim Carey’s character didn’t know that his entire life was being ripped apart by an audience that reveled in his weirdness. Lovely cricket cricket, huh?
A starting hitter, or really anyone out of shape, could do it with a few fewer voices splashing around in their head as they try to find something, anything, that works. A good shot in the nets, a convenient arm around the shoulder, a voodoo ritual.
Then on Wednesday morning, the Australian captain sat down in front of the press and spoke about continuity. It was a graceful move. It should inspire Burns. You can even make sure the only thing you hear while batting in Adelaide is Tim Paine saying “I believe in you.”
A similar, perhaps even sharper, approach could have fallen to Prithvi Shaw if the series had been held in India. He is replacing Rohit Sharma at the top of the order and will endure his greatest challenge. The pink ball is not friends with even seasoned starters, much less one about to play his fifth test. The first 20 overs, when it retains its shine and hardness, can seem like a test without correct answers. However, he survives and takes control.
That could be the subject of this test. Two top orders, none in top form, facing two top bowling attacks, each vying for the title of the best in the world. There will be mistakes, but both parties just need to make sure they don’t define matches. Of course, there is another way of looking at it. You have the opportunity to play big tickets, defying great odds and a multitude of criticisms. You have the opportunity to go down in history.
Forms guide
Last five completed matches, most recent first
Australia: WWWWW
India: LLWWW
In the spotlight
Everything changes when we start talking about medium orders. India has boldness in the form of virat Kohli and sand in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara. Neither of them leaves a fight and both are able to determine the outcome of a test for themselves. India decided not to play them in the only day and night practice game they had before the Adelaide showdown. Maybe they thought they needed to see the other hitters form more than hitting their two best bets to score big runs against the pink ball.
Australia has a similar quality in their lineup. Steven Smith has forged much of his reputation as a world champion by hitting the Indian bowling attacks and since Marnus Labuschagne try to copy everything he does, it is very likely that he is the number two thorn in the flesh of the visitors. Both are unorthodox. They also have a great appetite for racing. And with the advantage of playing on their own terms, they can even seem impossible to defeat.
The trick will be to get all four players in early, while the ball is still fresh enough, or make sure they don’t settle until twilight comes and complicates the hitting.
Team news
Without David Warner, Australia would look a little light at the top. So instead of randomly including people who haven’t played for them in a long time, they’ve decided to put their trust in titleholder Burns and a fighter, Matthew Wade, while bringing in a highly skilled young off-roader, Cameron Green. , to help balance the XI. Best plans…
Australia (likely): 1 Joe Burns, 2 Matthew Wade, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Tim Paine (capt & wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Nathan Lyon
Rohit Sharma won the IPL at the cost of his ability to start this series. Prithvi Shaw takes his place, with India hoping her hitting game can be used to counter the build-up of new ball pressure. Ishant Sharma was also injured during the IPL, and his control and leadership will be missed.
India (probable): 1 Mayank Agarwal, 2 Prithvi Shaw, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Hanuma Vihari, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (week), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Umesh Yadav, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Jasprit Bumrah
Plot and conditions
Any day and night game has grass on the field to protect the pink ball. Although Kookaburra has made considerable strides so that the amount of greenery no longer scares off hitters, there will still be plenty of movement early on.
While there may be a passing rain or two, the rain shouldn’t have much to say in the test match.
Statistics and trivia
Quotes
“The rhythm of the red ball stays the same throughout the day. With the pink ball, the rhythm changes completely in those 40-50 minutes. Of course, the new ball moves a little bit for a while, but it becomes easy to hit. after That. So the twilight period can be a challenge because the pace of the ball increases. Both outside the wicket and in the air. “
Vice-Captain of India Ajinkya rahane sets the challenge that awaits hitters
“We certainly didn’t go into it planning to have clashes or be overly aggressive. As we all know, sometimes on cricket grounds, things can be a bit voluntary. If that’s the case, then there’s no question this team won’t give. one step back. And when he leaves, we will know the talent they have until the end. “
Tim paine on the handling of India with and without Virat Kohli
Alagappan Muthu is deputy editor of ESPNcricinfo
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