As India prepares for a high-octane Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, the pitch at Perth’s Optus Stadium will pose an extreme challenge to the tourists in the five-match Test series opener on November 22.
Known for its thrilling pace, carry, and bounce, the surface at Perth has long been Australia’s fortress, and they would love to continue their dominance here against India also. Ahead of the much-awaited Test series opener in Perth, pitch curator Isaac McDonald said that India’s top order must be wary of the surface.
Optus Stadium to bring the heat with pacey pitch in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener
The pitch curator has worked precisely to ensure that this drop-in pitch at the Optus Stadium will offer a lively surface with ample pace and bounce, something that will likely keep both teams’ batting line-ups on their toes. The upcoming Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will be just the fifth international fixture at the Optus Stadium.
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Earlier, Perth witnessed a fierce India-Australia clash in December 2018, which was dominated by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, who tore through India’s batting lineup by claiming eight wickets with Team India suffering a massive 146-run defeat.
Meanwhile, the Optus stadium, often shadowed by the iconic WACA ground, hasn’t yet seen the massive crowds, but this year could be a turning point, as it will be hosting one of the cricketing giants in the first match of the famous Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Isaac McDonald prepares a “perfect” pitch for the Australia vs India Test series opener
The pitch has been in preparation since October, with careful maintenance of a grass cover aimed at encouraging both pace and bounce over the first few days, which will be a dream wicket for any fast bowler. So, Indian top-order must navigate this challenge with precision.
Isaac McDonald said that he has made a “perfect” pitch with enough pace and carry to thrill but tempered by a manageable amount of grass, providing opportunities for both batters and bowlers to shine in the first game of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The curator’s decision to maintain a ten-millimeter grass layer, similar to last year, aims to create an engaging contest where fast bowling will test the batting skills. However, the batters will also have the opportunity to score runs.
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This is Australia; this is Perth: pitch curator
Isaac McDonald was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “This is Australia; this is Perth. I’m setting ourselves up for a really good pace, really good bounce, and really good carry. In a perfect world, I want to emulate last year. It’s [10 mm grass] a good starting point.”
McDonald added, “Ten millimeters was pretty comfortable with the conditions that we had [last year], and that held the conditions together nicely for the first few days. Live grass on the pitch is speed. Both bowling units were pretty rapid last year, and we are hoping for much the same this year. But, as we saw last year, good batters were able to take the game on and put away balls and score runs quickly.”
Notably, Virat Kohli is the only Indian to have scored a century at Perth’s Optus Stadium. On the other hand, at the iconic WACA ground, batting legends Sachin Tendulkar, Mohinder Amarnath, and Sunil Gavaskar showed their supremacy with impressive hundreds.
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