The first test between Australia and West Indies will be played on Thursday,
26th November, at the Gabba in Brisbane in Australia. This is the first of the
three test matches that will be played in the series, which is more popularly
called the Sir Frank Worrell trophy.
Australia will be playing their first test match after almost three months.
In the last series that they had played, they had gone on to lose the Ashes
to England, and for now will be looking to avenge that defeat and get back to
their winning ways. They have looked much hungrier than before, having beaten
Scotland, England and India in the ODI series, apart from winning the Champions
Trophy in the interim period.
Click for Live Score Card of West Indies vs AustraliaThe good news for them is that Michael Clarke returns back to the side
from his back spasms and should be fit to bat in the middle order. And as was
the case with the latter half of the Ashes, Shane Watson should open the batting
for Australia in place of Phil Hughes, along with Simon Katich. Ever
since he was promoted to the top of the order in the five day format, Watson's
form has been excellent and he would look to convert the form into some big
runs at the top as well.
Ricky Ponting should be secured at the number three slot, but Michael Hussey's
place could be in a bit of a jeopardy. He may still make it to the batting eleven,
but he would know that it is high time he started getting his runs in tests
as well, as the selectors seem to be losing their patience with him. This series
will be a big one for him. Marcus North will continue batting at six and playing
the part of the all rounder, whereas Brad Haddin recovers from his finger
injury and makes a return to the side.
Apart from Brett Lee's exclusion and Doug Bollinger's inclusion in the squad,
the Aussie bowling will continue to remain the same.
For the West Indian side, there couldn't be more relief when it was found that
the captain Chris Gayle will be back in Australia, leading the side after
having had to go back to tend to his ailing mother. Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh
Sarwan will continue to prop the middle-order up, but the man to look out for
will be Adrian Barath, a 19-year old youngster who has been Brian Lara's favourite
for some time now.
One of the youngsters in Kemar Roach or Gavin Tonge could be soon playing against
Australia, whereas Sulieman Benn would be the spinner to reckon with.
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