Legendary pacer Glenn McGrath has tipped the Test series against India in their den, scheduled to be held next year, as the ultimate challenge for the Australian cricket team.
Having toured the Asian countries on multiple occasions, McGrath is aware of the challenges in sub-continental conditions. He was appreciative of Australia's performances in Test tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka this year.
While Australia won the three-Test series 1-0 in Pakistan, they levelled the series 1-1 against Sri Lanka in June-July.
Pat Cummins-led team's next big Asian assignment is the tour of India, tentatively scheduled for February-March 2023. They look to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a country where they haven’t won a Test series since 2004.
“Obviously the single biggest challenge for Australia is coming to India, performing well and winning the series. We were lucky enough to do it in 2004. You've got to come up with good plans, the batsmen have to learn to adapt on turning pitches and the bowlers have to learn to bowl in those conditions."
"I think with IPL, a lot of players have been over here (in India) regularly and have hence experienced the conditions. The current Australian team, evident from their showings in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, are starting to get a better understanding of how to play on subcontinent wickets. That being said, India is still the ultimate challenge. I think they're up for it," McGrath was quoted as saying by cricket.com.
Australia might have struggled in a Test series in India over the years, but McGrath has had great success as a bowler.
He played 8 Tests in India, claiming 33 wickets an average of 21.3, with 14 of the scalps coming in the 2004 series win.
Speaking on the tools needed for overseas bowlers to succeed in Indian conditions, McGrath said: "You just need to come up with a plan that works. Pitches in Australia are quicker and bouncier so you can bowl those good areas. The secret is still having control, bowling outside off-stump or just outside. The length will obviously be different so it's about adapting to the lengths."
"You still will need to look to take wickets with the new ball. Then once it gets softer, you'll have to ask yourself, 'how can I stop the opposition from scoring?'. You could probably bowl a bit straighter, have more of a ring-field and make it hard for the batsmen to score. It's just about having clear plans, but then being able to execute those plans for long periods of time."
(With IANS inputs)
