The first Test in the eagerly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 will start on November 22 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Both teams are getting ready for the first Test of the series, and snippets of their practice sessions have only increased the excitement. For those who don’t know, the WACA Stadium is where Australia and India are practicing.
In a recent statement, Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne said he will be bowling bouncers to Virat Kohli throughout the series. The supporters dismissed the message as a light-hearted jab, but Labuschagne seemed to have taken it seriously. Labuschagne charged in during Australia’s practice session and delivered a fast bouncer to Pat Cummins, who dug no deeper.
Here’s the video of Labuschagne’s bouncer to Pat Cummins:
How do you impress upon your captain that you should get a go with your medium-pace in the Test? Bowl bouncers at him like @marnus3cricket has done to @patcummins30 at the WACA #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/EK0Vk07k5L
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 18, 2024
I am preparing us for a really good pace: Isaac McDonald
Both sides have been cautioned by Optus Stadium pitch curator Isaac McDonald about the intense velocity and bounce that will be present when they take centre stage on November 22. Additionally, according to him, a 10-mm layer of grass is left on the deck, which will support the bounce and speed for nearly three days.
Here we have Perth, Australia. I am preparing us for amazing speed, excellent bounce, and excellent carry. I wish I could do the same thing last year. A good place to start is [10 mm], McDonald stated. Ten millimetres was a good fit for the conditions we had [the previous year], and it kept things together well for the first few days. Speed on the pitch is live grass. Last year, both bowling units were rather quick, and we’re hoping for much of the same this year,” Isaac stated, as HT reported.
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Nevertheless, a massive 85,000 people will be present at Optus Stadium on the first day of the Indo-Aus match. This will be more than the previous record of 81,000 people attending a Test match between the same teams.