Brisbane, Dec 16 (PTI) Australia’s new Test captain Steve Smith is excited about the prospect of playing India on a lively Gabba pitch in the second cricket Test starting tomorrow and said he wants his team to drive the advantage to go up 2-0 in the four-match series.
India had lost the opening Test at Adelaide by 48 runs last Saturday.
“We’re all excited about coming into this second Test and trying to go two-nil up in this series,” said Smith. “After the wickets we’ve played on in Test cricket, at the Adelaide Oval and the two matches in the UAE (against Pakistan), it’s exciting for our fast bowlers to finally have something that’s going to have some liveliness to it.
“That’s part of the reason Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been included in the team. It is a traditionally fast and bouncy wicket and it looks no different out there for this Test match,” he added, announcing the Australian playing eleven for the match.
While Peter Siddle has been dropped, Ryan Harris has been rested as he was not a 100 per cent fit owing to a short turn-around time. Also, Smith will be batting at number four in place of the injured Michael Clarke with Shaun Marsh slotting in at number five. It has been a promotion that Smith has been looking forward to for a while.
“I’ve had a chat with a couple of the senior players and the coach about it. I just thought that in taking over the captaincy and a bit of extra responsibility that I would step up to number four and get the job done there. I don’t think there’s a big difference between batting four and five,” said Smith, who is Australia’s 45th Test captain.
Young fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is set to make his debut in a new-look Australian pace attack, which will also include recalled left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc.
“I’ve watched Josh very closely over the last couple of years at New South Wales and he impresses me every time. I think he’s only getting better and better. This pitch should suit him perfectly,” Smith said.
“He’s very skillful for his age and I’m looking forward to seeing him zing a few through and bowl with that extra bit of pace and get that extra bit of bounce as well. It’s very exciting for Josh to make his debut tomorrow.” PTI CN ATK
