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Poll: Who comes out on top today?
Baum: The stunning scene in Dharamsala
It’s a stunning morning in Dharamshala, The sky is cloudless and the sun is glinting off the Himalayan foothills. A walk to the cricket has never been such a joy.
The sights of Dharamsala.Credit: Greg Baum
Restored Australian opener Travis Head might be less enthused. The ball has been flying at all angles off the practice pitches, adjacent to the match pitch. With Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult coming at him from the first ball, he’ll know he’s back.
A crowd of sorts is trickling in. That’s only to be expected. Unmatched as this is as a venue for five World Cup matches, it’s also like having a World Cup in Australia and staging four matches each at the MCG or SCG and five at Harrietville or Cooma. That’s Indian cricket politics for you.
A curio to go on with: Former Australian white ball captain Aaron Finch and well-known commentator Neroli Meadows were spotted when crossing a narrow street in nearby Mcleodganj last night and were instantly mobbed to the point of near suffocation. They had to retreat through the nearest doorway they could find. India’s love of cricket is so great that it’s sometimes alarming.
Scenes from a walk to the cricket.Credit: Greg Baum
Australia bat first as Head returns
As expected, Travis Head returns to the Australian line-up in place of Cameron Green, lengthening the Aussie batting. Head’s tipped to open and shuffle Mitch Marsh and Steve Smith down the order. Marcus Stoinis still nursing minor calf soreness.
“Anyone in our squad feels like they can step in and there’s a role for them to play. Trav’s record has been awesome, he just missed out [on returning] a couple of days ago, but he thinks he’s ready now,” captain Pat Cummins said.
The Kiwis are without Mark Chapman who is also managing a niggling claf issue. Jimmy Neesham comes into their XI.
Travis Head in the nets this week.Credit: Getty
Stats: Australia’s road so far, and still to come
Warner and Smith forego Test prep for T20 series
By Greg Baum
From Dharamsala: Veterans David Warner and Steve Smith are in the Australian squad to play five T20 matches against India after the World Cup, but fast bowling trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc have not, nor multi-format all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh.
Another veteran, Matthew Wade, has been named as captain.
The squad has been picked with one eye on preparation for the home summer and Test series against Pakistan and the West Indies, and the other on next June’s T20 World Cup in the US and the West Indies.
David Warner will turn out for Australia in a T20 series against India after the World Cup.Credit: AP
“It’s an experienced squad with a mixture of players who have had their first opportunity on the international stage and that we hope will continue to develop into important T20 players in our group,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
“Matthew has captained the team previously, is a leader in the group and we look forward to him taking the reins for the series.”
The selection of Warner and Smith mean that they will play no first-class cricket in Australia before the Tests, but also that they remain in Australia’s short form blueprint.
Australia’s T20 squad
Matthew Wade (c)
Jason Behrendorff
Sean Abbott
Tim David
Nathan Ellis
Travis Head
Josh Inglis
Spencer Johnson
Glenn Maxwell
Tanveer Sangha
Matt Short
Steve Smith
Marcus Stoinis
David Warner
Adam Zampa
Poll: Who comes out on top today?
Welcome one, welcome all
Afternoon sports fans,
Trans-Trasman cricket coming at you from Dharamsala as this World Cup starts to warm up nicely.
Australia’s campaign is trending in the same direction after the Netherlands were pulverised while the Kiwis sit two points ahead of them on the World Cup table courtesy of four straight wins to start the tournament – though they did come off second-best against India in their last start.
Greg Baum is our man on the ground at the foot of the Himalayas, conditions are cool and clear in India and I’ve claimed the lounge for the day in Maroubra, should be a good day’s cricket. First ball from 4pm AEDT with the day game.
