AUS vs WI, 1st Test | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Steve Smith opening will be one of the exciting aspects of the series [AP]

After hammering the inexperienced Pakistan in a 3-0 whitewash, Australia aim for a clean slate over the hapless West Indies in their next Test assignment of the home summer 2023-24. 

The reigning World Test Championship (WTC) winners face off against the Calypso Kings in a two-match series for the prestigious Frank Worrell Trophy, which they have held since 1995. 

The struggling visitors reach Adelaide Oval for the first Test of the series before moving to Brisbane for their all-format trip's final game of the red-ball leg. 

AUS vs WI: Team Previews 

Australia 

With modern-day great Steve Smith moving to the top of the order following David Warner's retirement, all eyes will be on him and how he shapes up in his new role. 

At a time when his game is undergoing an evident decline in consistency with technical issues creeping in, the 34-year-old has taken a brave step to open and provide himself with a fresh challenge to revive his best mojo. 

One of the reasons why Smith fell compelled to the top was to allow Australia to play their talented young allrounder Cameron Green at No.4. 

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The youngster, who was dropped since the Ashes 2023 finale at The Oval, has the chance to rejuvenate his game at a spot which he has aced at the domestic level for Western Australia. 

West Indies 

Kraigg Brathwaite holds the key for WI [X.com]

The Calypso Kings have the weight of history staked against them, having not beaten Australia in a Test match since 2003. Their next victory over the Aussies may be unrealistic, but the Caribbean men will be hoping their inexperienced and in-transition side will find its moment and there will be gains made for long-term development. 

Opener Tagenarine Chandrapaul, middle-order players Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze, left-arm spinner Guadakesh Motie, and debutant pacer Shamar Joseph will be players that West Indies would hope they manage to withstand the mighty Aussies for some length of time on their turf. 

Pressure will be on two veterans - skipper and opening batter Kraigg Brathwaite and stalwart seamer Kemar Roach - to ease the life for the youngsters around them as West Indies look set to field three debutants in their playing XI. 

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AUS vs WI 1st Test: Match Details & Live Streaming

AUS vs WI: Adelaide Pitch Report

One of the drier surfaces in Australia, the Adelaide Oval tends to make the new-ball phases critical for the first half of the Test matches, where the pacers will find more nip and hint of lateral movement before it becomes great for batting. 

The track only breaks open later in the game when uneven bounce and turn would make the tall Aussie seamers and Nathan Lyon a real handful to face for the Caribbean batters. 

AUS vs WI: Playing XIs

Both teams have announced their playing XIs as mentioned below.

Australia: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph

AUS vs WI: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

AUS vs WI: Winner Prediction

Australia couldn't be greater favourites to take a 1-0 lead in the series with a comprehensive performance in Adelaide. 

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