The second Test of the four-match Test series between the hosts Australia and the visitors India is going to begin on this Friday (December 14) at the Perth Stadium or Optus Stadium (Perth). Winning the first Test by 31 runs at Adelaide, the visitors India is leading the series by 0-1.

It will be the first ever Test match at the Perth Stadium or Optus Stadium (Perth). The stadium made its debut in the international cricket in this January through the ODI and has organised two ODIs till the date.

Australian cricket team

Despite Australia lost the first Test in this series at Adelaide, they have been praised for their spirited and fighting crickets. Their bowlers were much disciplined in that game and they always made the hosts alive in that game.

Also read: Tim Paine Feels Good To Lose The Toss For Perth Test

The top-order Australian batsmen need to take more responsibilities from the second Test. The Australian side is still missing their two important consistent batsmen David Warner and Steven Smith but the present batsmen have abilities to take the side in new bright direction. The lower-order batsmen performed exceptionally well in the Adelaide Test and brought back the home side into the game in both innings during the very critical moments.

Another defeat in this series will mean that Australia can’t win this series and it will also mean that they are very close to losing the series. However, the hosts are very desperate to change their fate very soon.

Also read: Australia Decides To Go With Unchanged Playing XI For Perth Test

Indian cricket team

It is the first time when India won the first Test of a Test series in Australia. Starting as the favourite in this Test series, the visitors didn’t disappoint the fans in the Adelaide Test.

All the Indian bowlers were in brilliant forms in that game. They were very consistent with their line and length and it worked positively in the Adelaide Test. The bowlers are ready to continue their form in the Perth Test.

Also read: Virat Kohli Feels Excited To Face The Bouncy Perth Track

In the first innings of the Adelaide Test, most of the Indian batsmen lost their wickets after playing some rash shots. They were better in the second innings but the lower-order batsmen need to take more responsibilities in the Test cricket. At present, the skipper Virat Kohli and the no.3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara are in great form with the bat.

India is going to miss the batsman Rohit Sharma and the off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the second Test due to the injuries. However, the visitors have enough strength in the squad to fulfil these important gaps.

While India is leading the series by 1-0, another victory means they will be very close to creating a history to win their first ever Test series in Australia.

Also read: Ashwin and Rohit To Miss Perth Test Due To Injuries

Full squads

Australia: Tim Paine (capt/wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Mitchell Marsh (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc and Chris Tremain.

India: Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane (vc),  Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rishabh Pant (wk), Parthiv Patel, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, Murali Vijay, Kuldeep Yadav and Umesh Yadav

Key Stats Preview:

• The Perth Stadium, Perth (Optus Stadium) is going to be the 10th stadium in Australia to organise the Test cricket. In overall, it will be the 117th venue in Test cricket history.
• India never won their first ever Test in any Australian venue. The Sydney Cricket Ground (Sydney) was the only Australian venue where India drew on their first Test. The Perth Stadium, Perth (Optus Stadium) will be the sixth Australian venue where India is going to play the Test cricket.
• Only once, India won two back-to-back Test matches on the Australian soil. During their tour of Australia in 1977/78, India won back-to-back Tests at Melbourne and Sydney.
• Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc (191 Test wickets) needs to take nine more wickets to complete his 200 Test wickets. After Mitchell Johnson (313 Test wickets), Starc will be the second Australian left-arm bowler to claim 200 or more Test wickets. In overall, Starc will be the 17th Australian bowler to claim 200 or more Test wickets.
• Indian opening batsman Murali Vijay (3,962 runs) needs to score 38 more runs to complete 4,000 Test runs. He will become the 15th Indian batsman to score 4,000 or more runs in a Test career.