New Delhi: The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy might face some unexpected hiccups due to the weather update which is showing signs of rain in the early half of the 1st Test.
Interestingly, Perth as an area is a place which does not have much precipitation between the time of November and May. However, with the unpredictability of the weather, things are changing in Perth and if rain plays a spoil sport in the first test, the entire dynamics will change for both sides.
India vs Australia: Weather Update
According to the weather app, Accuweather, rain is a possibility on only Day 1, with the percentage being as low as just one per cent.
It barely rains in Perth from November-mid May.
Amazingly there will be wet weather this week, but it is forecast to clear in time for the first Test #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/2W0Sxzsn1z
— Tristan Lavalette (@trislavalette) November 18, 2024
However, there is a 40 per cent chance of precipitation on November 21, the day before the first Test gets underway. Even thunderstorms are a possibility.
Source: Accuweather
What is the Pitch Report for the Optus Stadium in Perth?
India and Australia are set to play in Perth for the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A first glance at the pitch will make any naked eye fail to difference between the pitch and the outfield. Yes! That’s how green it is.
The first look at the pitch at the Optus Stadium in Perth is here and it does not seem promising for the batters. According to reports from the photographs by the various reporters in Perth, the pitch is covered completely in green grass. Furthermore, the grass is being watered to make sure it doesn’t dry out quickly.
Naturally, it can be expected that the seamers can expect movement off the seam. Added to that is the ferocious pace and bounce of Perth which will be like a piece of loud music to the ears of the batsman. To be honest, this was not entirely unexpected, primarily for two reasons.
This is the first time in close to 80 years that India is starting off their Australia tour with a Test match in Perth, a place historically known for its spicy pitches. Although the old WACA stadium deserves credit for that, the newly built Optus Stadium, which did not host a single Test during India’s last visit, is not doing that reputation any harm.
Secondly, since the Border Gavaskar Trophy defeat against India at home three years ago the Australians have changed their tactics to make drop-in pitches, making it heavily conducive for fast bowling.
For these strategies, the Aussies have made the pitches heavily packed with a coating of grass.