Predicted Australia Playing XI: Steve Smith at No. 4 as opening issues await Pat Cummins in 1st BGT Test

Predicted Australia Playing XI: When this year’s FTP came, the T20 World Cup 2024 was obviously the biggest cricketing spectacle. But, the second biggest? It is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). A new chapter will add to the intense India vs Australia rivalry as the Men in Blue enter the Australian shores with two massive BGT wins Down Under.

As for Australia, skipper Pat Cummins would be hugely determined to get his hands on this prestigious BGT trophy. The lad has won it all, from World Cups to the Ashes, but the BGT title has avoided him. Cummins has all the arsenal with him to claim the five-match series, starting in Perth on November 22. Australia are one of the most settled Test teams, especially at home. With just a couple of days remaining in the opening day, let us take a look at Australia’s predicted playing XI.

Opening conundrum ft. Nathan McSweeney

It didn’t come as a shocker when David Warner cheekily made himself available to make a U-turn on his retirement only to solve Australia’s opening conundrum. The issue has been a persistent following Steve Smith’s unwanted record as an opener. In 4 Tests, Smith made just 171 runs at an average of 28.50. Now, a new opening option has come to the fore, Nathan McSweeney. The 25-year-old has been making runs consistently in the domestic circuit, and now is given his due.

McSweeney has made 2,252 runs at an average close to 39, including six first-class hundreds. He even led Australia A to a superb 2-0 win over India A in the recent unofficial Test series. In his last 14 appearances, McSweeney has crossed 50+ run mark eight times and would love to do well in the Baggy Green. The second opening spot is fixed with Usman Khawaja, who averages over 52 with over 2,800 runs in Australia.

Formidable middle order in Tests? ft. Steve Smith, Travis Head

While India might not have their designated no. 3 batter in Shubman Gill, Australia have the dependable Marnus Labuschagne. The 30-year-old has seen a dip in form but enjoys an excellent average of 103.00 while batting at the Optus Stadium. At number four is Australia’s greatest modern-day batter, Steve Smith. Against India, Smith becomes an extra dangerous, having scored 2042 runs at an average of 65.87, a tally that includes nine superb hundreds. This could be Smith’s last home Test series against India, and he would love to make a statement series.

India doesn’t have great thoughts when Travis Head’s name comes up. He has single-handedly denied India the WTC title and the ODI World Cup in a span of a few months. Since 2021, Head has become an all-format player, having raised his stock massively in Test cricket. Although he has endured a tough 2024, Head has made 2,020 runs at an average of almost 43 since 2021 in Tests.

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All-rounder & wicket-keeper ft. Carey or Inglis?

With no Cameron Green in the mix, the selection for Mitchell Marsh is an easy one. He enjoys a stellar record while playing at home, having made 952 runs at an average of 41.4. In fact, two of his three hundreds and four of his nine Test fifties have come Down Under. He will be an act as an effective backup role to Australia’s premier three pacers.

As for the wicket-keeping role, Australia have two choices. While Alex Carey should be given the gloves, Australia have kept Josh Inglis as well. Inglis, who recently captained Australia in the T20Is against Pakistan, looked in superb touch when he made 297 runs at an average of 99 across 4 innings. Meanwhile, Carey has been making runs himself. He is the first-choice keeper. In the Sheffield Shield season, he made 452 runs at an incredible average of above 90, including two tons and a fifty in three FC games.

Best bowling unit! ft. Cummins, Starc

Choosing the Australian bowling attack is extremely easy for any cricket expert. Yes, they have the talented Scott Boland with them, but the mighty Aussie cannot rest their star bowler in the first Test. At number eight would be the skipper Pat Cummins himself. At Perth, his back-of-the-length deliveries would be a handful. It is likely that Cummins comes as a first-change bowler, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood operating with the brand-new Kookaburra.

While the hype around Mitchell Starc would be high, Indian batters should take care of Hazlewood and his irritating consistency at that Test match lengths, as many say. The 33-year-old just adores bowling at home as he has taken 162 wickets at an incredible average of 23.05 in just 39 Tests. For Nathan Lyon, he would be in the game from Day 3 onwards and would be expected to make life hard for Indian batters, who are coming on the back of a horrendous home Test series against New Zealand. Lyon would extract the extra bounce of the deck in Perth, where he is the highest-wicket taker with 27 wickets at an insane average of 18.00 across eight innings.

S. No.	Player	Role
1	Nathan McSweeney	Batter
2	Usman Khawaja	Batter
3	Marnus Labuschagne	Batter
4	Steve Smith	Batter
5	Travis Head	Batter
6	Mitchell Marsh	All-rounder
7	Alex Carey	Keeper
8	Pat Cummins	Bowling all-rounder
9	Mitchell Starc	Pacer
10	Nathan Lyon	Spinner
11	Josh Hazlewood	Pacer