PROVIDE SPARK
India are the No. 1 ranked Test team in the world, coming off a competitive series defeat in England. Australia, meanwhile, are fifth following a scandalous year.
Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft are still serving suspensions for their parts in the ball- tampering scandal with Tim Paine to lead the side.
Marcus Harris is set to make a deserved debut, opening with Aaron Finch, with Shaun Marsh the unlikely anchor in the middle order.
“He’s a had a disappointing few Tests away from home but he genuinely pays well in Australian conditions,” Hussey said of Marsh.
“He’s been piling on the runs for WA. He deserves to be in there.
“He needs runs, like all the guys, but I think he’s a key player for Australia with that experience.” Hussey tips Australia to win 2- 1. “It’s been quite a tumultuous period for cricket,” he said.
“Hopefully, all the worst is behind us and we can really just focus on the cricket.” Age: 30, Tests: Runs: 6331 Average: 54.6 The Indian captain is the one the Aussies have to contain. Has a great record Down Under and scored four centuries in the 2014- 15 series which India lost 2- 0. Age: 34, Tests: Runs: 3933 Average: 39.3 Comes into the series having not played in the past five Tests. Gets a start because of injury to Prithvi Shaw but his record in Australia is good, having scored 482 runs in the 2014- 15 Test series. Age: 30, Tests: Runs: 4905 Average: 49.5 Alongside Kohli, Pujara is the glue which holds the Indian top order together. Like Rahul Dravid in past Indian teams, he is tough to remove and likes batting for long periods. Age: 32, Tests: Wickets: 336 Runs: 2331 Average: 29.5 ( batting) 25.4 ( bowl) Has struggled a little in Australia compared to his home form but is still key to this series. The battle between Ashwin and the Australian left- handers will be one to watch. Age: 30, Tests: Wickets: 256 Average: 34.7 ( bowling) Another Indian bowler who has not shown his best Down Under but his 2018 has been good, having taken 30 wickets in Test matches at an average of 21.9. Age: 28, Tests: Wickets: 128 Average: 30 ( bowling) Will likely share the new ball with Sharma but is just as dangerous with an older ball with his ability to create reverse swing. Has plenty of pace and aggression.