Australia to skip practice match before India Test series, McDonald says

Australia will not play a formal practice match before the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India, head coach Andrew McDonald said, opting instead for a short camp in conditions similar to the subcontinent. McDonald told cricket.com.au, quoted by The Hindu, that the team has enough time to adapt without a practice game, and is weighing a return to the UAE or to Bangalore, both used before, Australia held a camp at Alur near Bengaluru on their 2023 tour, though no venue has been confirmed. The series begins on 21 January in Nagpur, with further Tests in Chennai, Guwahati and Ranchi before the finale in Ahmedabad. Australia will get tour matches during assignments in South Africa and England beforehand. McDonald said players shortlisted for India but not needed for the home Tests against New Zealand will be expected to prepare for the tour rather than play the Big Bash League, with the final squad depending on those four Tests. Australia have not won a Test series in India since 2004-05.