Australia’s cricket coach and selector, Andrew McDonald, has announced that the same 13-player squad from the Perth Test will be retained for the second Test in Adelaide. Despite the crushing 295-run defeat to India, the team management has decided to stick with the current lineup while addressing fitness concerns surrounding all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.
Unchanged Squad, Extra Practice Session Scheduled
The squad, which includes spare batter Josh Inglis and reserve fast bowler Scott Boland, will arrive in Adelaide earlier than planned to hold an extra net session. The decision comes after Australia’s dismal performance in Perth, where the team struggled both with bat and ball.
“The same people in that changeroom will be in Adelaide,” McDonald confirmed, emphasizing faith in the current squad despite the heavy loss.
Mitchell Marsh’s Fitness Under Scrutiny
Marsh bowled 17 overs across three days in Perth—his highest workload in three years—but his fitness remains a question mark. Having bowled just four overs in the past eight months, McDonald expressed caution about his readiness.
“We’ll wait and see,” McDonald said when asked about Marsh’s condition, but added that the team did not feel short on bowling options despite their struggles in Perth.
Batting Woes and Marnus Labuschagne’s Form
Australia’s batting lineup faces mounting external criticism, particularly Marnus Labuschagne, who has struggled for form at No. 3. McDonald defended Labuschagne as their best option, stating, “At his best, he’s the player we need.”
The team plans to engage Labuschagne in discussions about rediscovering his form ahead of the Adelaide Test.
Domestic Options: Lack of Depth Below the Incumbents
Australia’s selectors have faced challenges finding strong replacements from domestic cricket. Players like Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matt Renshaw haven’t been favored despite opportunities, and others like Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis lack experience in top-order roles.
McDonald expressed confidence in the talent pool but acknowledged the difficulty of judging performances on domestic pitches.
Review of the Perth Test: Planning vs. Execution
The coaching staff plans to analyze whether the poor showing in Perth stemmed from flawed strategies or execution issues. McDonald highlighted the importance of refining batting and bowling methods to tackle future challenges effectively.
“We felt our planning was on point, but execution is always a factor. Clearly, we’ve got challenges to address,” McDonald concluded.