Smith and Warner called up to help Australian bowlers prepare against Kohli

The first Test between Australia and India commences on 6th December at the Adelaide Oval. The home team this time around is considerably weaker with their ace batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner not available. While the duo will not be pulverizing the Indian bowlers on the Test pitch, they will be utilized to prepare the Australian bowlers.

In the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal, both Warner and Smith were handed a year-long ban by Cricket Australia. The sanction ruled them out of the ongoing India tour, and their absence will haunt the Australian batting order.

Nevertheless, David Warner was spotted at the Sydney Cricket Ground, facing the Australian pace attack. The left-handed opener batted against the pace battery of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc. The sessions were intently observed by the head coach Justin Langer.

There are talks of involving Steve Smith in the same capacity. Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald about the experience. “There’s talking to bowling coaches then there’s talking to the guys you’re bowling to. That’s a great opportunity to have him face us in our preparation leading up to the Tests,” Starc informed the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.

“It’ll be great to bowl to him (Smith) in the nets. He’s one of the best in the world, to even get his thoughts on how we’re tracking will always be good for us,” Starc further added.

The Indian team won the third T20I played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and equalized the series 1-1 after the second match was washed out. India has never won a Test series in Australia and in the absence of Warner and Smith, they have a realistic chance of creating history. Virat Kohli and men dominated the Australian bowling lineup in the T20I matches, with the white clothing on, it will be a different game altogether.