SYDNEY: With a mounting injury toll and all the momentum with India, Australia may press more Test players into duty for the day-night tour match against Virat Kohli’s team, head coach Justin Langer said.

Australia slumped to a six-wicket defeat in the second Twenty20 International against India on Sunday, surrendering the three-match series with a game to spare and notching their third loss in succession to the tourists.

Australia had planned to send most of the squad to Adelaide to prepare for the series-opening day-night Test starting Dec 17 but may instead include more players in this week’s three-day pink ball warm-up against India in Sydney.

“Were having a close look at that,” Langer told reporters. “The best practice is centre-wicket practice and no doubt the case to play a pink ball game against India under lights is a very tempting preparation for a few of your players.”

Australia have suffered a slew of injuries, with Test opener David Warner (groin), seamer Josh Hazlewood (back) and spinner Ashton Agar (calf) sidelined.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2020