Ravichandran Ashwin faces Australian litmus test fourth time, will he succeed finally?

History tells us one thing very clearly about Australian pitches - they are the most difficult in the world for finger-spinners, especially off-spinners. This is why the pantheon of great Aussie spinners consists entirely of leg-spinners - Clarie Grimmett, Bill O'Reilly, Richie Benaud, Shane Warne, etc.

Off-spinners have been produced by Australia. But before the arrival of Nathan Lyon, they enjoyed only modest success for their team, at least in terms of numbers. The greatest among them was, probably, Ashley Mallett. Bruce Yardley and Tim May also did a good job for their team, but not for as long and as successfully as the leggies.

How difficult the land Down Under is for offies can be gauged by looking at the performances of great spinners of this variety from around the world in this country. During the 1960s - arguably the golden era of off-spin bowling, the likes of Erapalli Prasanna, Lance Gibbs, and South Africa's lesser-known Hugh Tayfield had success over there. These bowlers are the greatest of this category of bowlers in the history of the game.

But in the last few decades, be it Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan Singh, or many other off-break bowlers, they have been completely ineffective on tours of that country. In case of Murali, the controversy regarding his action and the hostility of the cricket establishment over there can be cited as an excuse. But others have struggled also.

Saqlain Mushtaq and Graeme Swann got a five-wicket haul in Australia. But apart from that, they also had ordinary figures.

So, in 2011, when Ravichandran Ashwin was chosen to be India's lead spinner on the tour of Australia, in only his second international Test series - he made his debut against West Indies at home that year - not much was expected of him.

He had a promising start to the series, getting four wickets in the first match. But then, endured two miserable matches where Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, along with Michael Hussey, ground Indian bowling into dust. Ashwin, like many before him, returned from Australia, battered and bruised.

His second opportunity to prove himself in the 'final frontier' came three years later. On the 2014/15 tour, the Indian team sprung a surprise in the first Test, played at Adelaide, by dropping Ashwin and selecting the leg-spinner Karn Sharma. Not only did the latter fail to make a mark, the Australian counterpart of Ashwin, ended up picking 12 wickets.

He did get an opportunity in the next three Tests, but failed to make an impression, mainly due to the imperious batting by Steve Smith. Not only did he not get a five-for, the equivalent of a century for a batsman, but went for a lot of runs.

Ashwin's third opportunity to prove himself in this country arrived on the historic tour of 2018/19. This time, he not only had much more experience but had a very feeble looking Aussie batting line-up against him. In the first Test at Adelaide, Ashwin picked up three wickets in the first innings.

With the pitch providing generous turn, he had a gold-plated opportunity to finish off the match and finally bury the ghost of not having won a match outside Asia. But on the final day, Ashwin had to go through over 40 overs without a wicket while the pacers kept chipping away. He did pick up the last wicket but it was merely a consolation.

Then, he got injured and missed the rest of the series.

Now, Ashwin is in Australia for the fourth time. This country remains unconquered by his wiles. For a man who holds the record for getting 300 wickets in less number of Tests than anyone in history, his overseas record, or to be more precise, his record outside Asia, remains disappointing. Even if the numbers don't look so bad, the lack of a match-winning, or match-changing, or even eye-grabbing performance, is very odd.

This then, is the fourth and, who knows, the last opportunity for the Tamil Nadu spinner to prove himself. He is in a similar position to Virat Kohli before the tour of England in 2018. Getting wickets in Australia is the most difficult proposition for any off-spinner. No bowler of this variety has managed a match-winning performance in Australia this century, except Graeme Swann in the Adelaide Test of 2010.

Can Ashwin finally pass the litmus test, on his fourth try? Only time will tell. He can't claim to be an all-time great without doing so.

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BBL 10 | Match Preview: Maxwell-led Stars seek to sustain momentum against Scorchers

The match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars on Wednesday will be an important contest in the early stages of this edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). Stars have two victories under their belt already and things seem to be falling in place for them sor far. Scorchers came up with a disappointing performance in their first match of the 10th edition, against Melbourne Renegades. It was their batting that led the Perth side down in their opening match of the season. Few batsmen managed to even get a good start to their innings. Colin Munro getting out for a duck was a big setback as he was expected to give his team a good start. The team never recovered and their bowlers couldn't mount a serious resistance either. But this was just one match. How the Scorchers shape up in the second match will let us know whether they are in genuine trouble or was the game against Renegades a one-off. For the Stars, they just have to keep going with the momentum. There is also, always, room for improvement. Scorchers' Challenge The fact that in the Scorchers' innings, the highest score came from Aaron Hardie, who batted at no. 7 - he scored 33 - shows where the problem lies. The openers failed completely, including the big-hitting Kiwi Munro. The middle order couldn't rise to the occassion and the lower order had too much to do. There is no dearth of firepower in the Scorchers' batting array. Munro, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner, are all big hitters. It is reasonable to think that, on a given day, if two of these three batsmen get going, it will be a good day for their team. In the bowling department, they have an impressive three-pronged pace attack - Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, and Jhye Richardson. It was Richardson who had success against the Renegades, with figures of 2/20 in 3.3 overs. Similar to their batting, if two out of these three bowlers have a good day, Perth would be very close to winning. But let's not overlook Fawad Ahmed. Leg-spinners have always been very effective in T20 leagues and he could turn games around with his performances. His effort on that day was also reasonably good. 1/22 in three overs is not bad in T20 cricket. Things look good as far as the team composition of the Perth team is concerned. It's just about getting things right. Stars Keep Shining Things are looking good for the Stars. Glenn Maxwell, their most high-profile player and captain is in splendid form. Hilton Cartwright, on the other hand, is providing the solidity that the middle order needs. Opener Marcus Stoinis has one fifty to his name already. West Indian Andre Fletcher has played some magnificent strokes, especially the 'no-look' flick for six. But he hasn't gone on to get a half-century yet. Perhaps, the expectation from him is precisely to provide a rapid start to his team. Even cameos of 30-40 runs would be useful at the top of the order. Ben Dunk and Nick Larkin are still to manage a good score. This is the only area where Stars may be vulnerable. If they lose Maxwell early, then things may get very interesting. The bowling is well-served by in-form Adam Zampa. His improvement in the last couple of years has been very conspicuous. Maxwell's decision to open the bowling himself has produced mixed results. It would be interesting to see whether he persists with it. There has been one major blow to the bowling department because of the injury to Dilbar Hussain. In his absence, the reserves in the bowling department would be tested. The main seam-bowling combination though, would remain that of Billy Stanlake and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Coulter-Nile picked up a four-for in the opening game while Stanlake is yet to make a mark. But both are proven commodities. They will feel the lack of support due to the absence of Hussain. Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars: Match Details Venue: Aurora Stadium, Launceston Date and Time: December 16, 1:45 PM IST, 7:15 PM Local, 8:15 AM GMT Broadcasters: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report The nature of the pitch in Launceston was somewhat of a mystery before the match involving Hurricanes and Strikers on December 15. What we saw in this game was a pitch with plenty of help for swing bowlers. This is not entirely surprising as the other stadium in Tasmania, the Bellerive Oval, also boasts, arguably, the most swing-friendly pitch in the country. With so many good seamers in both teams, the contest should be interesting. Weather and Toss Showers are expected on the day of the match. This means that there is a strong possibility that the match would be played under overcast condtions. This may lend a big help to seamers. Captains would have to think hard as to whether to chase or set a target after winning the toss. Probable XIs Perth Scorchers: Josh Inglis (Wk), Colin Munro, Joe Clarke, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner (C), Cameron Bancroft, Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed Melbourne Stars: Marcu Stoinis, Andre Flethcher, Glenn Maxwell (C), Hilton Cartwright, Ben Dunk (Wk), Nick Larken, Clint Hinchliffe, Adam Zampa, Liam Hatcher, Billy Stanlake

Rahane not thinking about captaincy, says Ishant Sharma will be missed in Australia

Inability to pick 20 Australian wickets have been the challenges for the Indian team in the past but the current bowling line up has the potential to outsmart the host batsmen in their own backyard and they produced performances on their last tour by helping the Virat Kohli’s men to win the series for the first time in the history of India’s tour of Australia. The challenge this time is stiffer though with the return of Steve Smith and David Warner, who will not play the first match but is certain to comeback at some stage in the series but India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is hopeful of a similar performance from his pacers like the last time. However, he rues the absence of Ishant Sharma and said the team will certainly miss his experience of three touros to Australia in their defence of the Border-Gavaskar trophy. "We do have a strong attack. We will miss Ishant, he is a senior fast bowler. But the guys who are here - Umesh (Yadav), (Navdeep) Saini, (Mohammad) Siraj with Jasprit and Shami - are all experienced and they know how to bowl in these conditions. It is all about bowling in partnerships for us," Rahen said in a virtually conducted press conference today. For Rahane, having early momentum in the big series will be a key factor and reiterated the importance of staying in the present and focusing on the first match of the series which will be played under lights with a pink ball and riding on the momentum for the remaining three matches. "We all know we did really well last time (in 2018). This is a new series starting with the pink ball, it's about getting the momentum. We have the attack to get 20 wickets. For us, it's important to start well and stay in the present. Just focusing on the pink ball Test and then focusing on the remaining matches," Rahane added. While Pacers will play the major role if India have to stand any chance of challenging Australia in their own backyard like the last series, Rahane is not discounting the advantage of having a world-class spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin had played the first Test in Adelaide and was bowling well before getting ruled out due to injury. Aswhin also brings his batting pedigree as value addition for the team and the fact is not lost on Rahane who is banking on Ashwin's reliability and variety to turn things around for the Indian team. "Ashwin's role will be very important, he is experienced and has got variety in his bowling. His role as a bowler and as a batsman will be really important. I am sure he will have a very good series," Rahane said. This series will be an all-new challenge for Rahane who will have to rise not only with the bat but will also have to marshal his troops once Kohli leaves Australia to return home for the birth of his child. But, Rahane’s ‘sty in the moment’ mantra for the team applies to himself as well as the right-hander has no other things or tactics but only the first Test match in mind and he is excited to contribute to the team and help Kohli in charting out strategies to win the first match. "I believe in staying in the present. Right now, Virat is our captain. We think about this Test match and then after that, when he leaves, we will discuss our plans. For me, it's about giving my best in this Test match and helping Virat out,” Rahane said on the questions of his captaincy and Virat’s departure from Australia. Rahane has been a critical element of the Indian batting line up and was arguably the best batsmen across Test matches on tours to South Africa and England, New Zealand, and Australia (SENA) but failed to seize the opportunity and built on from the experience of his first and a fairly successful overseas tour and faltered on the next round of tours to these countries. But, he is not too bothered by his lack of runs on the last tours and focussing heavily on the upcoming one to make it fruitful with the bat both for him and the team. "As a player, you go through ups and downs. For me, out of 10 Test matches, I did really well in eight matches. For me, during the lockdown, fitness and diet were the priority. After coming here, it was about getting used to the conditions, the pitches and the bounce. Now, it is all about getting into the match zone and giving my best for the team," Rahane said. Rahane bats in the middle and lower middle order and he believes that intent plays a big role in his batting tactics. He values defence and perseverance for batting but believes that being in a positive frame of mind helps in scoring runs while batting down the order when the opposition is going all guns blazing in search of wickets. "When you bat at No.5, No.6, you have to read the situation and play accordingly. For me, it is all about playing with intent and what the team demands from me in that situation. I visualise that and play accordingly. Intent does not mean going out there and playing all the shots, it comes with defence and leaving the ball. A positive mindset is very important,” he added. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced players to travel country to country in a biosecure bubble and players need a lot of motivation and mental toughness to deal with the challenges of sustained periods of time in a bubble. Rahane said that the condition in Australia has been better and in anycase the Indian players are not losing sleep over being under isolation and rather focusing on performances in the series against Australia. "When you play for your country, you don't need to tell anyone anything. That's the motivation. Luckily in Australia, the situation is much better. Now, it is about thinking about the series rather than focusing on other things," Rahane said. There are wide ranging debates going on who should be the openers for the Indian team and many experts and foreign cricketers are weighing in with their picks to choose among Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill to partner Mayank Agarwal who has earned a place for himself at the top of the order. Rahane refused to get lured into the debate of rating his own teammates and said that the decision to pick the playing XI will be taken at an appropriate time. "Everyone is equally good. We have not decided on our combination, we will sit tomorrow. There is one more practice session to go. Everyone is equally talented. Whoever plays can win matches, it is about trusting the players," Rahane added. The hosts Australians too have a fair share of problems to deal with and the Indian team under the twin leadership of Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane can challenge them in their own backyard, albeit not without bringing all they have to offer in their performances.

Steve Smith exits nets; not ruled out of 1st Test yet

The Australia team has been served a fresh jolt as the premier batsman Steve Smith is complaining of a sore back and will not take part in any training at least until Wednesday, just a day preceding the first Test which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 17. Smith was seen returning from the training nets where the hosts were involved in intense sessions with the team physio David Beakley and did not return to the training. However, cricket.com.au has cited a team’s spokesman saying the right-hander is not under an injury cloud and a certainty to play the Adelaide Test. The injury concern to Smith is the latest concern for the team management after dealing with a lot of players getting ruled out of the first Test. Australia’s chances rely heavily on Steve Smith who has had an outstanding batting record against India and more so with the absence of David Warner from the first Test, Tim Paine could not afford seeing Steve Smith going out with injury.

ICC releases revised schedule of Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the revised schedule of ICC Women's World Cup scheduled to be held in 2022 in New Zealand. Notably, the event earlier planned to take off in 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now commence on March 4 and finish on April 3 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand. There will be a total eight teams participating in the competition where a total of 31 matches have to be played across six major cities of New Zealand such as Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin. The knockout games will be played at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch and Basin Reserve, Wellington. Five teams such as India, Australia, South Africa, England, and New Zealand have already qualified for the marquee event while the other three participants will come from the ICC qualifying tournament scheduled to take place in June-July next year in Sri Lanka. The hosts New Zealand will take on one of the three incoming teams from the qualifier tournament in the tournament opener on March 4, 2022. India, who were defeated by the defending champions England in the finals at the Lord’s in the last competition will start their campaign against one of three qualifying teams on March 06. The women in blue will play all their matches under lights at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. On the other hand, England will open their defence of the title against Australia on March 5 in Hamilton. Indian captain Mithali Raj is rejoicing at the prospect of leading her team once again into an ICC tournament where the team has been putting up a consistently good performance. She said that the success of her team and if they can take a leap by winning the title in 2022, it will inspire current and next generation of girls in the country to take up the game very seriously. "We have all been through a very difficult year and are happy to be getting back at playing the game we all love. India has been doing very well at ICC tournaments in the past three or four years, whether you talk about the (ODI) World Cup or the recently concluded T20 World Cup, and if we manage to win the tournament in 2022, it will be a massive inspiration for the next generation of girls, as the fifty-over format, is considered the pinnacle for any cricketer. I can assure you the team and I are looking forward to it," Raj said.