Smith the key as Australia patch together team for third India Test

Batting lacks experience in India and needs runs from talismanTourists could play three spinners in Indore amid injuries

As Australia headed to India this year to contest the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, one thing they were relying on was experience. David Warner and Steve Smith would lead the batting on their third Test tour to the country, after 22 seasons of IPL between them. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc couldn’t boast such IPL records but would also make their third Test trip. Patrick Cummins would lead the side after making his return to Test cricket in 2017, waking up Indian batters with bouncers on a Ranchi track that was fast asleep.

The best-laid plans of mice and men. Starc started the tour injured, denying Australia the benefits of his reverse swing and his lower-order runs. Warner started poorly before having his arm broken by Mohammed Siraj and being sent home. Cummins meanwhile started the tour knowing that his mother was ill, without knowing that he would have to leave after the second Test as she entered palliative care.

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