Match Preview – Australia vs West Indies, West Indies in Australia 2022/23, 1st Test

The big picture

For the first time in nearly seven years, two sides with a rich history in Test cricket are meeting. The history has sadly been one-sided for a long time, but this is a high profile encounter for Australia and the West Indies.

The last time the West Indies won a Test on these shores was in Perth in 1997 – the WACA version – when Brian Lara scored a century, and Curtly Ambrose found an infamous crack to roll Greg Blewett along the deck. West Indies’ last Test win against Australia was in 2003, when they chased down a world record 418 in Antigua.

West Indies could field four players in their XI who were part of the side that played a damp affair in the last meeting between the two teams, in Sydney in early 2016: Craig Brathwaite, now captain; His predecessor Jason Holder; Jermaine Blackwood, and Kemar Roach. But for most it will be a new experience. And that can’t be a bad thing.

Few give them a chance in this series – and it would be a surprise if it was anything other than 2-0 against Australia – but West Indies’ Test cricket has shown improvement, albeit mostly at home. However, revival has to start somewhere. It may sound like a loss, but if they can compete in these two matches, it could provide more building blocks for the future. Their fast attack has the potential to cause problems. It will likely come down to whether they can score enough runs to put some pressure on the board.

Although Australia lost their most recent Test – against Sri Lanka in Galle – they are in good form in the format, as the XI is fully predictable. They are in a strong position to reach the final of the World Test Championship – but be wary of those overrates – and a season of victories will further strengthen their cause.

It will be Perth’s first Test since the 2019-20 season when they hosted New Zealand in a day-night game, and only the second match at the venue where India have faced off on the spicy pitch a year ago. had played It would be nice to think that both of those things can be repeated this time around.

(Last five matches, most recent first)

Australia: LWWDD
West Indies: WWWDD

In the spotlight

Steven Smith has improved his hands, feet, stance, grip…everything seems to be working perfectly for him, as well since 2016. This is a scary prospect for the opposition bowlers as Smith still averages 61 in Tests. Since then, though, the struggle has been greater in the last two years. The signs were promising in the ODIs against England but he may have to be wary of a lively Perth pitch. Still, it looks like this could be a summer of runs for Smith.

Will be familiar with the surname. Stance can bring back memories. A few of the shots, too. And he marks his guard with assurance. But Taginerayan Chandrapal wants to be his own man. At 26, he has been biding his time for a Test debut, but the weight of his runs this year has made an undeniable case. Chandrapal backed this up with a brilliant double of 119 and 56 against Prime Minister XI in the practice match. Australia’s bowling attack will be another level of challenge, but he looks to have the game.

Team News

The XI confirmed by Australia could have been selected weeks ago: Josh Hazlewood’s return to the team, the last four Tests on terms against Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the previous four Ashes Tests due to injury. . Scott Boland will have to wait to build on his bowling average of 9.55.

Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marence Lebuschgan, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wicket), 8 Pat Cummins (captain), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazel Wood.

Brathwaite confirmed that Chandrapal would make his debut and Ramon Reffer was ruled out through injury. Further, West Indies will name their team tomorrow. But the good news was that Blackwood and Jayden Sales were fine after a brief scare during training on Monday. Chances are, four quicks with the help of Ruston Chase’s off-spin.

West Indies (Probable): 1 Craig Brathwaite (captain), 2 Tagnarine Chandrapaul, 3 Nkrumah Bonner, 4 Kyle Mears, 5 Jermaine Blackwood, 6 Ruston Chase, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Joshua Da Silva (wicket), 9 Al-Zari Joseph, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Jayden Seales

Pitch and conditions

Perth. Hot. Speed bounce. Cracks We’ll definitely get some of that, the first day is set to be 35 degrees, and there’s a chance for them all. There was plenty of life in the T20 World Cup pitches – the India vs South Africa encounter was perhaps the best indicator, given the bowling attack – even though it’s not so early in the season. On the eve of the match, the curator said he had left 12mm of grass on the surface although he could get a trim before the toss. Also worth noting is Nathan Lyon’s impressive record at the Optus Stadium, where he has taken 14 wickets at 15.50 in two matches.

A handful of West Indies players who were part of the 1997 win in Perth will be in the game: Phil Simmons is in his final series as coach, while Ian Bishop and Brian Lara will be commentators. Carl Hooper is also involved in Australian cricket this season as an assistant coach with the Adelaide Strikers.

Quotations

“I think there are a lot of good things going on at the moment, especially this Test team [being] No. 1 in the world. It’s disappointing that sometimes the focus is diverted to off-field issues, but it hasn’t really affected our team.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins Tries to draw attention back to cricket after distractions off the field.

“Our long-form cricket has really developed. It’s a really good sign that a lot of our players are actually developing at the pace we want them to develop. It’s not going to be an easy tour. But. . . . It’s a tour. That many people make a name for themselves.”
Jason Holder On a positive note for the West Indies

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The big picture

In the spotlight

Team News

Pitch and conditions

Quotations

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