The Border-Gavaskar Trophy's opening Test match between Australia and India is scheduled for Perth. It is being expected that the hosts will give the Indian team a bouncy wicket, which would benefit the potent Australian fast-bowling lineup. During Australia's training sessions on Monday, November 18, the media were given their first look at the Perth pitch. The local media reported that the pitch had a pleasant hint of green and was well-watered. According to the media, the Optus Stadium will have a quick wicket that gives bowlers good bounce if the curators stick to their existing strategy.
Optus Stadium's head curator on Perth pitch
Optus Stadium's head curator, Isaac McDonald, had earlier indicated that his staff has prepared the pitch to represent these classic Perth features, hoping it will provide the tough challenge of fast-bowling conditions for which the region is known.
After rigorous curating that started as early as September, the pitch for this first Test was moved onto the Optus Stadium playing surface last month. It will only be the seventh Test to be played in the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium, which has the same local clay and grass species as the famous WACA ground. With a fast, bouncy pitch that has produced exciting matches in the past, the forthcoming match against India is anticipated to increase local enthusiasm for Test cricket.
"We're setting ourselves up for really good pace, really good bounce, and really good carry," McDonald told ESPNcricinfo
The pitch will have approximately 10 millimetres of live grass on the field. The purpose of the additional grass is to increase speed, making it difficult for batters and giving Australia's pace attackāled by Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cumminsāthe perfect surface.
McDonald remembers the Test match against Pakistan at Optus Stadium last year, where Australia's fast bowlers defeated Pakistan by 89 runs in the second innings. Throughout the game, the pitch deteriorated considerably, creating cracks that led to low-skidding deliveries and erratic bounce. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, both Australian batsmen, were hit hard; Labuschagne called the surface one of the hardest he has ever encountered.
The fast-bowling units of both teams will be trying to take advantage of the bounce as the pitch is expected to replicate these circumstances. McDonald stated, "Both bowling units were pretty rapid last year, and I'm hoping for much the same this year". He is certain that the pace and live grass will keep both sides on edge, even though he thinks talented batters can take advantage of the circumstances.
Without having played a practice match, India will need to swiftly adjust to these unfamiliar conditions if they want to start the series with a solid start. They will attempt to counter this fiery Perth track with their own fast-bowling arsenal.
