Australia have a reshuffled top order but remain overwhelming favorite’s
This appears to be the perfect mismatch on paper. a potent and accomplished Australian team taking on a West Indies team that will have at least three rookies and just five players with prior national team experience. That is probably how it will end up as well, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any interesting moments along the road.
With David Warner’s retirement, a new era has begun for Australia. The process of replacing him took an unexpected turn when Steven Smith, the final person on the list, was selected for the position. It has generated a lot of discussion because he has never opened in first-class cricket, but it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if he succeeds.
Cameron Green’s return to the starting lineup at No. 4 is a result, but other than that, things remain the same for the home team. The fact that the Pakistan Tests concluded in four days has helped the fast bowlers continue, even though Australia was tested more than some had anticipated.
And so to the West Indies. Due to a variety of scheduling anomalies in the game, this group differs greatly from the one who toured Australia a little over a year ago. As a result, they are returning for two summers in a row. Under the leadership of captain Kraig Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, they exhibited some resilient batting resistance during the previous tour to Perth; however, they were easily defeated in Adelaide, taking just 19 of a potential 40 wickets in the two matches.
With backing from new vice captain Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, who notoriously roughed up Ricky Ponting in 2009, will need to make far more of an impression than his past average of 90.62 reveals in Australia. With the adjustments, they will at least have to target an Australian top order, which will be scrutinized.
Quick bowler Shamar Joseph, who hails from the remote Guyana village of Baracara and impressed during the A tour of South Africa last year, is the newcomer in the West Indies squad that is generating the most interest and excitement. Joseph played well in the warm-up match against the Cricket Australia XI. He, along with many others, sees this tour as an opportunity to establish their reputation.
