Mumbai, Dec 19 (PTI) Australia Women will take in lessons from last week’s one-off Test between India and England while getting ready for the ‘unknown’ during their sole Test starting here on Thursday, said vice-captain Tahlia McGrath on Tuesday.
The Aussies will begin their all-format series against India with a four-day one-off Test from December 21 to 24 followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is.
Australia have had a few training sessions here at the Wankhede Stadium including a trial match last Sunday, with the conditions and behaviour of the surface being a special area of focus.
“We were able to catch bits and pieces (of India’s match against England). A lot of it was (about having) big training days for us, but certainly kept an eye on that game and how it panned out,” McGrath told the media after Australia’s training session.
“We learnt a lot from that, seeing how both teams attacked the game, seeing how they played the conditions,” she said.
“While we are not entirely sure how these conditions are going to play, we have got a lot of plans in place. We feel like we are really well-prepared going into the game.” McGrath said both India and Australia have ‘phenomenal’ bowling attacks, which will force the batters to be at the top of their game. India had bundled out England for 136 and 131 during their match.
“Test match cricket is all about taking 20 wickets and they were able to do that. For us, it is about trying to combat that,” she said.
“The biggest key about batting in India is (a) you have got to be really clear on the plan. Before you go out there, you got to know how you’re going to play the conditions.” “And (b), you’ve got to stick to your strengths individually as a batter. That is going to look differently for all our batters, how we approach that,” she said.
“We have got some really crafty spinners, net bowlers came and bowled at us and that has been a fantastic challenge and while the Indians have a phenomenal bowling attack, so do we,” McGrath said.
With the Australian team stacked with all-rounders, McGrath said the visitors have all weapons to tackle India, especially all-rounders.
“Obviously, (there is) still a little bit to go and see what the pitch is going to be like (and) what direction we go, but we are spoilt for choices,” McGrath said.
“It is a tough job for Midge (captain Alyssa Healy) because she has got bowling options but if you look at out-and-out pace we have got people that can swing the ball, leg-spin, off-spin, left-arm… we have got so many options (that) we can combat anything we need to,” she said.
“Certainly, the fact that we have got so many all-rounders gives us a lot of flexibility in that final XI,” McGrath added.
With Healy being appointed as the full-time Australia captain after the retirement of Meg Lanning, McGrath said it was time for the new leaders to take their side ahead.
“You cannot replace Meg Lanning. Her stats, captaincy, just speaks for itself but the fact that now Midge and I are in full-time role we are really excited about the challenge and leading this team forward,” McGrath said.
Source: PTI News
