Australia coach Justin Langer hopes for a fiery pitch in Perth

Sudhir Gupta 18:37 12/12/2018
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  • Australian coach Justin Langer (c).

    Australia coach Justin Langer is hoping for a pacey wicket at the new Perth Stadium for the second Test as the hosts aim to level the Test series against India.

    Australia are looking to hit back after their 31-run defeat in Adelaide and a quick surface in Perth should be music to the ears of Australian quicks. However, Langer is not certain about the surface in Perth.

    It’s the first Test at the new stadium where just one first-class game has been played.

    “I’m really fascinated and can’t wait to see what the wicket brings,” Langer was quoted as saying by AFP. “There’s only been one four-day game in its history.

    “I went and watched a bit of the New South Wales versus Western Australia game – there was certainly some pace and bounce there. We’ve also seen some pace and bounce in it during the one-dayers and T20 game.”

    But the former opener said both teams will know how the drop-in pitch behaves only when the Test begins on Friday.

    “Time will tell what the wicket brings… If we can get (WACA-style pace and bounce) it’d be a great thing for Test cricket,” Langer said.

    Langer denied reports that captain and wicketkeeper Tim Paine could miss the Test after a Mohammed Shami delivery in Adelaide smashed into his right index finger.

    “Paine is the toughest pretty boy I’ve seen in my life,” he said. “Even if it was snapped in about four places he’d still be right. He’s absolutely fine. He’s obviously had issues with it before but he’s 100 percent ready to go.”

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