New DelhiAustralian team captain Pat Cummins said on Thursday that the Border Gavaskar Trophy against arch-rivals India is going to be very competitive as both the great cricket teams will play not four but five Test matches. He also believes that this series is so big that the players will not focus on the IPL mega auction to be held in Jeddah.
Cummins said in the press conference before the match, “Border Gavaskar Trophy is always very challenging. The five-Test series will be even more competitive. He is going for the auction but he was here during the entire preparation. I was there in all the meetings, during conversations and even during net practice, I don’t think that the auction will divert the attention of the players.
Talking about new batsman Nathan McSweeney, Cummins said, “He will have to show his natural game.” One should not try to play like David Warner. That’s not his game. There is always pressure while playing on home soil. The Indian team is very talented and it will be a good challenge. But we are not thinking too far ahead. Let us tell you that Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori will not be there, who has been given permission to leave the Perth Test and participate in the auction for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Australia’s team for the test series: Pat Cumming (captain), Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.
Tags: India vs Australia, pat cummins
FIRST PUBLISHED: November 21, 2024, 13:02 IST