(Cricket news) Australia have won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5 Test series with the last one being the loss at home against India. Now comes possibly the toughest challenge for the Australian side which is an away series against India. The Aussies haven’t won in India since the 2004/05 series and the general viewpoint is that this is the best Australian team to tour India since then. Australia will be without pace duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood in the 1st Test while Cameron Green has a very little chance of playing. Even if Green does play then he will not be able to bowl.

Australia’s ideal playing XI –

Openers: David Warner & Usman Khawaja

The two southpaws pretty much pick themselves as they have been consistently good in this format. Warner’s record in India isn’t the best and he has a point to prove this time around. Matt Renshaw is an option to open the batting but Warner and Khawaja are likely to play all 4 matches. Both the left handers are naturally attacking and they will be looking to put pressure back onto the Indian bowlers.

Middle order: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head & Matthew Renshaw

Labuschagne, Smith and Head are pretty much guaranteed to play unless there are any injury issues. Their ability will be tested in Indian conditions especially with Labuschagne and Head who haven’t played here before. All 3 can bowl decent spin as well which is a great asset to have in the team. With Cameron Green out of the squad the choice is between Renshaw and Peter Handscome both of whom have experience of playing in India. Renshaw may just get the edge due to his style of play

Wicket keeper: Alex Carey 

Australia are traveling with just one gloveman which shows how much they trust Alex Carey. His batting will undoubtedly be crucial but his keeping skills against spinners will also be tested. Carey like many others in this squad has never played in India which will make it an even tougher task for him.

Seamers: Pat Cummins, Scott Bolland & Lance Morris 

Skipper Pat Cummins will be without his usual partners which adds just that little bit more pressure on him. Having said that, Bolland has taken 25 wickets in 5 career Test matches so far. He has played whiteball cricket in India with Australia and in the IPL before which is always helpful. Lance Morris was picked in the series ahead of Jhye Richardson and Micheal Neser.

Now by the looks of it he will be called into action straight away which is a challeng. If Cameron Green was fit than Australia would’ve gone with just 2 other seamers. But Green’s injury along with the the fact that Head and Labuschagne can bowl spin may influence Australia to get some extra pace.

Spinner: Nathan Lyon

Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and the youngster Todd Murphy are all good options but Nathan Lyon is the obvious choice. The experienced campaigner is quite possibly the most important player in the Australian side for this series. His battles against the likes of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara will be a sight worth watching. As the series progresses and Green returns, Australia will look to play more than 1 pure spinner but as of now it looks like Lyon is going to be the only one.

Bench: Peter Handscome, Todd Murphy, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson

Also read: India’s ideal playing XI for the 1st Test against Australia