The number 408, the Test Cap number of the late Phillip Hughes is displayed at the Adelaide Oval. © kareem
It will be an emotional morning at the Adelaide Oval on December 9th when Australia and India take the field for the first Test of the four match series, just 11 days after the unfortunate demise of Phillip Hughes. Losing one of their dearest friends shattered the Australian players but they will look to shift their focus to the game when they face off against the sub-continent side. The visitors, meanwhile, have been in the country for more than a fortnight and will hope that they have acclimatized themselves well in the couple of warm-up games they played. They will be keen to extend their good form into the Test series.
The cricket world was plunged into mourning over the Hughes tragedy, forcing a rescheduling of the four-match series against India, with the first Test switched from Brisbane to Adelaide. A number of tributes have been planned, with the Australian players planning to wear Hughes' Test cap number 408 on their playing shirts and black armbands in honour of their former team-mate.
It has been a mentally challenging time getting back to cricket, but some of the home team players have insisted that the tourists can expect a fired-up Australian team during the first Test and that there will be no let-up in their aggressive approach.
Australia:
Michael Clarke was passed fit to lead Australia in the opening Test, with Hughes symbolically named as 13th man. Australia, who have announced the eleven for the game, have a strong batting order. David Warner, who showcased good form in the series against Pakistan, will be expected to provide fiery starts with Chris Rogers to partner him. Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, along with Clarke, comprise of the middle order with Haddin to follow. Some of the bowlers in the side can also do a decent job with the bat, which means that the Australian batting department packs quite a punch. Despite their intimidating batting unit, Australia suffered a few collapses in the series against Pakistan, which they will be keen to avoid.
Bowling bouncers has become a sensitive issue after Hughes was fatally struck in the head by a short-pitched delivery. However, the Indians will not be any more comfortable than how England were when they last toured Down Under. The Australian pace battery, led by Mitchell Johnson, stressed that they will play the way they have always played - aggressive. Along with fellow fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, Johnson has been largely responsible for Australia's recent success and the hosts will be banking on the trio to deliver again. The hosts also have a good back-up in the form of Mitchell Marsh and Shane Watson, making it a formidable pace unit. After toiling in conditions that did not suit them in the UAE, the Australian pacers will be glad to be back home. Nathan Lyon is the lone front-line spinner in the eleven but he will have some support in the form of Smith while Warner too can roll his arm over if needed.
India:
Virat Kohli will be leading India in Test cricket for the first time as Mahendra Singh Dhoni will require more time in order to completely recover from a thumb injury. Although Kohli will be leading a relatively young team, there is no dearth of international experience. The stand-in Indian skipper may be the only one in the current batting order to have played a Test in Australia before. However, the presence of Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina means that there is a lot of experience along with solidity in the Indian batting order. Kohli, Pujara and Dhawan, who failed in England, will be keen to prove a point while the rest will also be eager to come up with valuable contributions. In the absence of Dhoni, Wriddhiman Saha is expected to don the keeper's gloves. He too is a capable batsman, although Australian conditions may prove to be a challenge to him.
The Indians, who have spent a while in Australia getting used to the conditions, did well in the couple of two-day practice matches they played against the CA Invitational XI. While most of the batsmen helped themselves to fifty-plus scores, what was also impressive was the way the bowlers performed. Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami getting amongst wickets is a positive sign for India as these three will mostly likely feature in eleven for the first Test. While Bhuvneshwar, who did an excellent job in England, would have been an automatic pick, the seamer is nursing an ankle injury which might keep him out of the first two Tests.
In the spin department, R Ashwin is the most likely choice although one cannot ruled out leg-spinner Karn Sharma's chances. While it is a well-balanced bowling unit, the Indians will be hoping that they can rise up to the challenge and deliver what is required of them.
Pitch and conditions:
A drop-in track is being used at the Adelaide Oval for this game but curator Damian Hough said its core character would be the same as a traditional pitch. The curator said it will be 'a typical 22-yard strip' which will assist the pacers initially before it eases for the batsmen, while offering some turn for the spinners as well. Sunny conditions are forecast on most days while there is a possibility of rain Day 2.
Numbers:
1: The number of matches India have won at the Adelaide Oval. They have played 10 matches so far at this venue and have lost six, while three were drawn games.
116 and 22: Virat Kohli's scores when he last played at the Adelaide Oval. It was at this venue that the stand-in Indian skipper scored his first ton in Test cricket.
Quotes:
You might see things quite different from what you usually see. The intent is going to be aggressive. That's something I use in my cricket and will try and use it in my captaincy as well: Virat Kohli.
It's going to be an emotional morning and for me, going out there and bowling the first spell might be the most difficult (thing): Mitchell Johnson.
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