English cricket great Michael Vaughan predicts a fast and bouncy Perth Stadium wicket will backfire on Australia when the second Test against India gets underway on Friday.
A green-tinged pitch will be unveiled for the first ever Test at Perth Stadium, with fast bowlers from both sides licking their lips at the prospect of weaving their magic.
Australia's pace attack was rated better than India's heading into the four-Test series.
But after Mitchell Starc's struggles in Australia's 31-run loss in Adelaide, it seems India now have the edge in that department.
Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami all performed strongly in Adelaide, and loom as key figures in the second Test.
Australia are pinning their hopes on Starc regaining his mojo, with assistance from Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood.
Vaughan thinks the pace-friendly pitch will backfire on Australia.
"I do think it's a pretty big risk that Australia are taking," said Vaughan, who is part of the Fox Cricket commentary team.
"They clearly need a pitch they feel they can get at the Indian batsmen.
"But from seeing the Indian attack at Adelaide Oval, I would think Bumrah, Shami and Sharma will be going to bed tonight thinking, 'Thank you, we'll out bowl them on this one'."
India suffered a huge blow on Thursday when spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was ruled out with a side strain.
Spinner Ravindra Jadeja is set to come into the XI if India decide against going in with an all-out pace attack.
"(Ashwin) is quality, but I think Jadeja is a wonderful cricketer as well," Vaughan said.
"He's someone I would want in my team. He bats well and is an incredible fielder.
"He will create something in the field. And with his bowling ... he's not going to bowl what we'd describe as mystery. But he will be very consistent."
Australian Associated Press
