Eight members of Australian Test squad received a warm welcome at Anna International Airport, Chennai on their arrival on Thursday night. The cricketers were led by pacer Peter Siddle and included James Pattinson and Jackson Bird, off-spinner Nathan Lyon, batsmen Ed Cowan and Usman Khawaja and all-rounders Moises Henriques and Steven Smith.
As per the reports of Indian Express, Australian national selector John Inverarity was quoted saying, “This is a very important tour and we really want to do well. India is a very competitive side and beating them in their home conditions is a very tough task. To make this task easy we have taken this step of sending players in three groups so that they get enough time to settle down and they adapt to conditions very well.”
Meanwhile Deccan Chronicle reports that the 28-year-old Siddle, who has picked up 141 wickets in 37 Tests, is expected to spearhead the pace attack. He was quoted saying, “Our pace-men will attack by bowling stumps to stumps, build pressure on the batsmen, and be patient. Sachin’s wicket is on our mind and getting him out will be a big relief.”
The second batch of cricketers including opener David Warner, ’keeper Matthew Wade, off-spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and young left-arm spinner Ashton Agar will reach India on Saturday.
Aussies will play their first tour game against Board President’s XI from February 12 which is two-day match. The Aussies will then take on India ‘A’ in a three-day game starting from February 16.
The first Test of the four-match series begins at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on February 22