Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed they will keep the same 13-man squad for the second match despite the heavy defeat in Perth. However, Andrew McDonald expressed concern over all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s fitness and ability to bowl in the day-night Test match.

Australia suffered one of the worst test defeats in their history at home. The Pat Cummins-led team lost the series opener by 295 runs at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Monday, November 25. With a strong record in the day-night Tests, Australia will be hoping to bounce back in Adelaide to level the series.

Mitchell Marsh was a little underrated coming in – Andrew McDonald

Andrew McDonald was unsure about Mitchell Marsh’s suitability and stated that they would have to wait for his selection. He said Marsh was not ready for the match, but added that his performance in the first innings was satisfactory.

“Did he stop well? We’ll wait and see. We knew Mitch (Marsh) was a little underperforming, but I thought the performance in the first innings was satisfactory,” McDonald told reporters after Australia’s first loss in five tests. at Perth Stadium.

Mitchell Marsh bowled 17 overs in two innings of the first Test

Mitchell Marsh bowled 17 overs in the first Test against India, the most he bowled in a match in three years. He took 2-12 in five overs in India’s first innings and posted 1-65 in 12 overs in the second innings. The visiting team declared their second innings with a massive total of 487/6.

Australia also used Marnus Labuschagne (both medium pacer and leg-spinner) and Travis Head during India’s second innings. Labuschagne conceded 38 runs without taking a wicket in his 6.3 overs, while Head finished with 0-26 in his five overs. Australia used seven bowlers in the second innings.

Making changes is always a consideration – Andrew McDonald

Andrew McDonald stated that Australia’s performance of their fifth bowler in the opening Test was not a concern. He said the same team from the Perth Test would be retained for the Adelaide Test. McDonald added that decisions are made based on the conditions and needs of the team.

“The people in that dressing room (for the Perth test) are the same people who will be in Adelaide. (Making changes) is always a consideration, wherever you go in the world in terms of the personnel you choose depending on the conditions,” he said McDonald. .

The pink-ball Tests in Adelaide have rarely required more than four bowlers, with Australia’s top four bowlers bowling almost every over in the seven day-night matches played since 2015.

However, the risks of relying on just four players were evident in the first day-night Test, when Mitchell Starc was sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot after just nine overs on the first day.

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