BGT 2024/25: Australia retain faith in same squad for Adelaide Test, head coach Andrew McDonald confirms

Australia have retained faith in the same squad for the second Test match in Adelaide as they try to put behind the disappointment of Perth. In a statement made by head coach Andrew McDonald, the team will look to bounce back and might tweak the Playing XI as Scott Boland and Josh Inglis continue to be part of the travelling contingent. Australia lost the opening Test in Perth by a record 295 runs as they trail the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 0-1.

McDonald retains faith in squad

“We’ll assess that as we go along. But as I said, the squad that’s in (Perth), they’ll be there in Adelaide,” McDonald said.

The Aussies are sweating on the fitness of Mitchell Marsh while Marnus Labuschagne’s form is becoming an unwanted headache for the management. He has been struggling for form in the last few months as concerns are raised about his place in the Starting XI. In his last nine Test innings, he has scored in double figures only once. However, McDonald has still backed the Aussie batter to play an important role as they try to attain parity in the five-match Test series.

“I mean, we look at the way he plays and when he’s at his best, and when we’ve seen him at his best, he’s shown great intent at the crease,” he said.

ALSO READ | BGT 2024/25: Australia retain faith in same squad for Adelaide Test, confirms head coach Andrew McDonald

“So that’s an ongoing discussion and that ebbs and flows within players’ careers, at the moment, he’s in one of those patches, and no doubt, he’ll be getting critiqued externally, but internally, we’re really confident that at his best, he’s the player that we need.”

Australia for now has allowed players to take a brief break before they reassemble for the Adelaide Test on December 6. In the meantime, India will play a two-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra as the visitors look to warm up for the second Test.