The Australia vs India A series came to an end on Saturday (November 9). How has the precursor to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy affected selection for the series?
Australia A followed up a seven-wicket victory in the first unofficial Test with a six-wicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, chasing down 168 in the fourth innings with relative ease despite a shaky start. Here's how the two-match series might have affected the various selection decisions lying in front of both teams for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India's opening headache continues
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is a doubt for the opening Australia-India Test due to personal reasons, meaning India will have liked one of their openers in the A series to put their hand up. Abhimanyu Easwaran had been thought of as the favourite, given his centuries in four consecutive matches before arriving in Australia.
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But with scores of 7, 12, 0 and 17, his chances have likely taken a big hit. Ruturaj Gaikwad, opening in the first match, scored 0 & 5 before KL Rahul replaced him in the second match, only to score 4 & 10. Sai Sudharsan (103) and Devdutt Padikkal (88) impressed in the second innings of the first match, but neither one appears close to making the Indian side as an opener just yet.
For the first time in a long time, India's problem in Test cricket is not one of too much, but too little.
Khawaja's opening partner now a race between two
Australia are also searching for an opening partner, following David Warner's replacement. There were four candidates ahead of the series starting – Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Nathan McSweeney.
McSweeney top-scored in each innings of the first match, albeit from No.4. This prompted a shift to the opening slot in the second match, for the first time in his first-class career. He was far less impressive, with 14 & 25 to his name. Marcus Harris scored a gritty 74 in the first innings of the second match, while Konstas starred with an unbeaten 73 in the second run-chase from No.4.
By all accounts, the list has now been whittled down to two – McSweeney, who comes in with 291 runs in 4 Sheffield Shield innings behind him, or Harris, who comes with the experience of having represented Australia in Test cricket before.
Does Dhruv Jurel have to play the first Test now?
India's batters did not cover themselves in glory during the A series. But Dhruv Jurel, part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, was drafted in for the second match and stood head and shoulders above everyone else.
He scored 80 & 68 in immaculate fashion, coming in at 11-4 in the first innings and 44-4 in the second. With runs in Australia to his name now to go with his fine start to Test cricket at home, Jurel has made a strong case to play as a pure batter for India, potentially at No.6 in the first Test at least.
Also read: Aus A vs Ind A: Dhruv Jurel hits second fifty in a row to bolster Border-Gavaskar Trophy case
Jurel could even help solve the opneing conundrum, as it's something he's done in first-class cricket before. He could even play at No.3, in case India decide to move Shubman Gill to the top. But even if he ends up not playing, for now Jurel has opened up some intriguing prospects.
Prasidh Krishna puts his hand up to start in Perth
When the first Test kicks off in Perth on November 22, India could well be going into the match with four pacers. But whether it is four or three, Prasidh Krishna has undeniably done his chances no harm at all.
Prasidh had a horror show on Test debut in South Africa nearly a year ago, but looked close to his best, form and fitness-wise in the A series. With returns of 3-59 & 1-27 and 4-50 & 2-37, he has the numbers to back it up as well. Again, it may not transpire in the first Test, but he could well get a game at some point in the series.
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Do Australia have their Cameron Green replacement?
Australia were dealt a blow when it emerged that Cameron Green would have to miss this series. His hole in the batting lineup has resulted in Steve Smith shifting back down the order, in turn creating the search for their next opener.
Despite that, Australia will still miss Green's bowling – as the fifth bowler, Green has been invaluable in helping keep their three main seamers in Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc well-rested during matches.
Mitchell Marsh, Australia's No.6, has not bowled consistently of late in Test cricket. In addition, he will come into the series relatively cold following a period of paternity leave. Against this backdrop, it's not unconceivable that 30-year-old Beau Webster might make his international debut.
Webster took 3-19 & 3-49 in the second match, and was unbeaten on 61 and 46 in both of Australia A's successful run-chases. Webster also scored a century in his first Sheffield Shield game this season. It remains to be seen if there's a place for him, but he certainly looks ready to fill it if so.
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