Australia head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that they will retain the same 13-man squad for the second match despite a heavy loss in Perth. However, Andrew McDonald raised concerns over all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s fitness and his ability to bowl in the day-night Test match.
Australia suffered one of their worst-ever defeats in Tests on home soil. The Pat Cummins-led team lost the series opener by 295 runs at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Monday, November 25. With a strong record in day-night Tests, Australia will hope to bounce back in Adelaide to level the series.
Mitchell Marsh Was Slightly Underdone Coming In – Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald was uncertain about Mitchell Marsh’s fitness, stating that they would need to wait for his selection. He said that Marsh was slightly underprepared coming into the match but added that his performance in the first innings was satisfactory.
“Has he pulled up okay? We’ll wait and see. We knew that Mitch (Marsh) was slightly underdone coming in, but I thought the performance in the first innings was satisfactory,” McDonald told reporters following Australia’s first loss in five Tests at Perth Stadium.
Mitchell Marsh Bowled 17 Overs Across Two Innings of First Test
Mitchell Marsh bowled 17 overs in the first Test against India, the most he has bowled in a match in three years. He took 2-12 from five overs in India’s first innings and registered 1-65 from 12 overs in the second innings. The visiting team declared their second innings at a massive total of 487/6.
Australia also used Marnus Labuschagne (both medium pace and leg spin) and off-spinner Travis Head during India’s second innings. Labuschagne conceded 38 runs without taking a wicket in his 6.3 overs, while Head finished with 0-26 in his five overs. Australia used seven bowlers in the second innings.
Making Changes Is Always A Consideration – Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald stated that Australia’s performance from their fifth bowler in the opening Test was not a concern. He said that the same squad from the Perth Test would be retained for the Adelaide Test. McDonald added that decisions are made based on conditions and the team’s needs.
“The people in that changeroom (for Perth Test) are the same people that will be in Adelaide. It (making changes) is always a consideration, wherever you go in the world in terms of the personnel you pick for conditions,” McDonald said.
Pink ball Tests in Adelaide have rarely required more than four bowlers, with Australia’s four main bowlers bowling almost all of the overs in the seven day-night matches played since 2015.
However, the risks of relying solely on four bowlers were evident in the first-ever day-night Test, when Mitchell Starc was sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot after just nine overs on the first day.
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