(Cricket news) Australia lost the first 2 Tests against India inside 3 days. The performance of the Australian side has been very underwhelming. Injuries and absentees haven’t helped them at all but there is still time to rescue the series. They have to win the next Test in Indore to avoid a series loss. It will be very difficult but this Australian side has the ability to do it. Their method and approach especially with the bat is something that needs to change. It will be interesting to see what exactly Australia change in the 3rd Test at Indore.

Australia’s ideal playing XI:

Openers: Usman Khawaja & Travis Head

Usman Khawaja played an incredible knock in Delhi and more of the same will be expected from him. With David Warner’s injury Travis Head did open the innings in the last Test. Head coach Andrew McDonald said that Head was always the 3rd choice opener. He showed glimses of good batting in the innings that he played but he will have to be much better to give Australia a good start.

Middle order: Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne & Peter Handscome

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne had a lot of expectations on them and so far they haven’t particularly impressed. Smith now has the added responsibility of captaincy and the pressure on the pair will increase. The two batters have way too much quality to not succeed on this tour and they will be looking for an improved performance. Handscome on the other hand has been really good with the willow. More of the same will be expected from him.

All-rounder: Cameron Green

Cameron Green is fit and ready to go which is great news for Australia. He will give the Australian side a seam bowling option along with his batting. The all-rounder has never played in these conditions before but he showed his quality in the Sri Lanka Test series. Another advantage of having Green ahead Renshaw is that it is one less left hander in the Australian line-up 

Wicket-keeper: Alex Carey

While Peter Handscome can also keep wickets Alex Carey is the obvious choice. The gloveman has played some good shots in the series so far but he will be keen to get a big score for his side. It is pretty clear that Carey likes to sweep and reverse sweep but he will need to pick the right balls to do it. Behind the stumps he hasn’t made any significant error it is just his batting that needs to improve. 

Seamer: Mitchell Starc

Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the Test which opens the door for Mitchell Starc to come in. With Josh Hazelwood also ruled out Star is an obvious choice. He is a kind of bowler who is very good in these conditions with his explosiveness and his ability to reverse swing the ball. He also gives the Indian batters a challenge of playing a left arm seamer. Lance Morris and Scott Bolland are the other options and could be played but Australia has 2 seamers including Green. It is unlikely that they play 3 seamers unless the pitch in Indore has a lot of grass on it which is unlikely.

Spinners: Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann & Todd Murphy

Nathan Lyon showed his greatness in the last match and he will once again be very important. Todd Murphy was the star for Australia in Nagpur and Kuhnemann also bowled decently in Delhi. There will be a temptation to bring in Mitchell Swepson who can bring a wrist spinner option but it is likely that Australia stick with the same trio of spinners. 

Bench: Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Lance Morris, Scott Bolland

Also read: Pat Cummins’ absence from the 3rd Test could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Australia