WATCH - Tim Paine seeks Virat Kohli's permission for Gabba opener next summer

Australia hasn't lost a Test in Brisbane since 1988 but has played India there only twice in last 27 years.

Gabba has been special for Australia | Getty

Australia is desperate to kickstart the next summer's Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in Brisbane at the Gabba, a venue where it has now been 31 years undefeated and just routed Pakistan by an innings to start off the ongoing home Test season. This, to an extent that skipper Tim Paine said he would have a word with his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli even as Cricket Australia indulges in talks with the BCCI for a schedule that keeps both the parties happy. 

"I'll have to run it by Virat [Kohli]. That's [the Gabba] where we like to start our summer, it has been for a long, long time except last summer. I'll ask Virat, see if we can get his permission to play here, maybe even a pink ball Test if he's in a good mood," Paine was quoted as saying. 

Read Also: Australia may host Afghanistan for Test at Gabba next summer, in talks over schedule with India

"We like playing here. Australian teams have bowled and batted well here for a long, long time. We like to start here against anyone."

The "anyone" here could well be Afghanistan next season with CA CEO Kevin Roberts confirming there is a high "possibility" of the same. 

"If the Test summer proper did start that way, it's a possibility, but there's a lot to work through," he recently told SEN Radio. "We don't have any preconceived ideas on that, we're in the middle of executing the season, making sure we can deliver a really good experience to fans at the ground and through our broadcasters, and then we'll get on to planning next season. We're really keen on making sure we can learn from each season before we approach the next one."

Negotiations are also on for a possible D/N Test in India's schedule after its change in stance with a game against Bangladesh in Kolkata. 

"There's no question day-night Test cricket needs to play a stronger role in the Test landscape going forward," Roberts said. "We're having productive conversations with India about the prospect of us playing day-night tests against each other in the future."

"Let's hope this week's experience in Kolkata is a really powerful one for them and a good experience that gives them more confidence about more day-night Test cricket to keep going forward."

(Inputs from Sydney Morning Herald)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 24 Nov, 2019

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