‘We don’t need match practice’ – Andrew McDonald’s strong claim ahead of India Test

India and Australia will face off against each other in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2023 and four Test matches will be played in the contest. With just a win away from whitewashing South Africa in the ongoing Test series, the Baggy Greens would look to gain momentum ahead of the much-anticipated trophy. 

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar trophy, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald opened up on the same and said that the team would not be in need of match practice, on the back of their continued purple patch in the longest format of the game. As far as India are concerned, it will be the series to decide their contention for the summit clash of the Test championship. 

Saying that he does not want his team to push too much and stress themselves ahead of the series, McDonald said that it would be important to set things right and focus on the game instead. Highlighting their early arrival ahead of the contest, the Australian coach said that it would give them ample time to prepare for the series. 

We can be creative in our own conditions: Andrew McDonald

Further, the Baggy Greens head coach said that the team will give it their all to defeat the mighty Indians, given that India are known for their mighty records at home. If at all India fail to win the series, their Test championship final contention would be under the radar. 

“No tour game is something we’ve done in the last few series, before embarking on overseas tours. We feel as though we don’t need that match practice as such. We’re going to go to India about a week out from the first game. We didn’t want to press for too much longer, in terms of the preparation,” McDonald was quoted as saying to Sunday Morning Herald. 

“We feel as though seven days is ample time to get ready and to make sure we maintain freshness throughout the whole four Test match series. We had some success doing that, going to Pakistan. We had a shortened period on the ground there. We can be creative in our own conditions. We’ve done it before with the Pakistan build-up in Melbourne. Dusting up wickets. Fit for purpose,” said the former Australian cricketer further.