David Warner excited over prospect of playing five-Test series against India

Cricket Australia and BCCI could prolong the Border-Gavaskar Trophy scheduled for December-January.

By Kashish Chadha - 07 May, 2020

Cricket Australia (CA) is contemplating ways to possibly make up for the heavy losses suffered amid the game's suspension because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

One option up for discussions is to convert the lucrative four-Test home series against India scheduled in December-January into a five-match affair in mutual agreement with the board's Indian counterpart, the BCCI. 

Read Also: Lyon eager to see how Kohli goes if IND-AUS Test series is played behind closed doors

And, Aussie opener David Warner feels that will be the best thing to come out of it all. 

"Five-match Test series would be absolutely amazing. It's a proper Test series," Warner told Cricbuzz about the prospect. 

"Five Test matches is challenging, it's very tough. That's what Test cricket is all about. I have been to India and even a three-match Test series is very challenging there." 

The last instance of India playing Australia in a five-Test series came way back in 1991-92. 

The two countries have been formally meeting for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 1998. 

"If you spend 160 overs in the field, in 45 degree heat; then open the batting at 4 o clock in the afternoon on Day 2, then you got to get your dancing shoes on."

"You're cramping, you're sore, your whole body is tired; they are the challenges those environs bring in. Having India come here (in Australia) to play a 5-match Test series will be a great, great challenge," added Warner. 

If the outbreak relents on time and the tour takes place, Warner reckons Jasprit Bumrah will be Australia's biggest threat. 

"He (Bumrah) is so hard to gauge a rhythm. There is no rhythm to Bumrah's bowling and that's why he is so difficult to pick. And, he is sharp," he said.  

"If it is back of a length, then it's hitting the knee roll and not going over the stumps. If he bowls full, it can swing and swing late. He has the one that goes away from the left-hander and then he has the one that holds the line."

"So it is very difficult to get a cue out of his hand because of his action – it's all distorted, not normal. It all works for him," Warner added. 

The last time India went there, it created history by pulling off its maiden Test series victory in Australia. 

(Inputs from Cricbuzz)

By Kashish Chadha - 07 May, 2020

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