Australian head coach Andrew McDonald says the management will opt for no tour game policy ahead of the Test series against India. As the Australian team will reach India a week before the start of the first match&nbsp;in Nagpur, that starts on February 9th, they are unlikely to play a tour game.

The management feels instead of reaching early and trying to acclimatize to the conditions, they want their players to feel mentally and physically fresh upon arriving in the country -&nbsp;something they had done before during the Pakistan tour in March, 2022.

As quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald, McDonald said, “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,” he added.

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McDonald feels seven days will be a good time for the them to get used to the conditions.

“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,” the head coach said.

As the Aussie management made the players play on the used pitches in Melbourne before flying to Pakistan, they aim to do something similar, this time in Sydney, where they have planned a three-day camp ahead of traveling to India.

"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.

"Working with the local groundsmen who really help us in and around the country. We feel as though we can get as close to that as possible without necessarily having a practice game,” McDonald said.

Meanwhile, this upcoming four-match Test series will also fall under the World Test Championship cycle. While Australia look certain to make to it the finals, India despite being in hot position, haven’t quailed yet – and for them to do so they must beat the visiting Australian team by a considerable margin.

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald says the management will opt for no tour game policy ahead of the Test series against India. As the Australian team will reach India a week before the start of the first match in Nagpur, that starts on February 9th, they are unlikely to play a tour game.

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald says the management will opt for no tour game policy ahead of the Test series against India. As the Australian team will reach India a week before the start of the first match in Nagpur, that starts on February 9th, they are unlikely to play a tour game. The management feels instead of reaching early and trying to acclimatize to the conditions, they want their players to feel mentally and physically fresh upon arriving in the country - something they had done before during the Pakistan tour in March, 2022. As quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald, McDonald said, “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,” he added. ALSO READ: Shahid Afridi aims to follow BCCI's footsteps by bringing in 'This' change in Pakistan cricket McDonald feels seven days will be a good time for the them to get used to the conditions. “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,” the head coach said. As the Aussie management made the players play on the used pitches in Melbourne before flying to Pakistan, they aim to do something similar, this time in Sydney, where they have planned a three-day camp ahead of traveling to India. "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. "Working with the local groundsmen who really help us in and around the country. We feel as though we can get as close to that as possible without necessarily having a practice game,” McDonald said. Meanwhile, this upcoming four-match Test series will also fall under the World Test Championship cycle. While Australia look certain to make to it the finals, India despite being in hot position, haven’t quailed yet – and for them to do so they must beat the visiting Australian team by a considerable margin.

Australia not keen on playing tour game ahead of India Tests, says head coach Andrew McDonald

India’s keeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to miss the upcoming Test series against Australia and also the IPL 2023 as he might take at least three to six months to recover.&nbsp;Pant met with a serious accident in wee hours on Friday when his car collided&nbsp;with the divider&nbsp;on Delhi-Dehradun highway flipped and later caught fire. Although Pant managed to get out of his car, he got injured seriously and is now getting treated at the Max hospital in Dehradun.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in coordination with Max Hospital doctors issued a medical bulletin, that stated, “Pant has suffered two cuts on his forehead, a ligament tear in his right knee along with injuries on his right wrist, ankle, toe and back.”

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As reported by TOI, a medical team member who is attending the cricketer informed that Pant is stable and is not suffering any life-threatening injury. He said, “His condition is being monitored by Dr Gaurav Gupta of the orthopedics department. Pant is stable, not suffering from any life-threatening injury. His mother is with him in the hospital.”

Dr Qamar Azam, who looks after the sports injury department at AIIMS-Rishikesh briefed about the severity of Pant’s condition, claiming&nbsp;the star cricketer will at least take somewhere between three to six months to recover from the ligament injury he sustained in his knee.

“Pant will take at least three to six months to recover from the ligament injury. And if it’s severe, he may take more time. Further evaluation can be based on his detailed injury report,” Dr Qamar Azam said.

Considering this assessment, Rishabh is all set to miss the home Test series against Australia, that begins on February 9th in Nagpur. Moreover, his availability for the IPL 2023 also remains uncertain.&nbsp;

Since Pant had been one of the core players in the Test team for over two years now, not having him for the series against Australia will come as huge blow for the Indian team. While no confirmation on his availability has been made yet, it will be interesting to see who replaces him in the Test squad.

 
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India’s keeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to miss the upcoming Test series against Australia and also the IPL 2023 as he might take at least three to six months to recover.

India’s keeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to miss the upcoming Test series against Australia and also the IPL 2023 as he might take at least three to six months to recover. Pant met with a serious accident in wee hours on Friday when his car collided with the divider on Delhi-Dehradun highway flipped and later caught fire. Although Pant managed to get out of his car, he got injured seriously and is now getting treated at the Max hospital in Dehradun. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in coordination with Max Hospital doctors issued a medical bulletin, that stated, “Pant has suffered two cuts on his forehead, a ligament tear in his right knee along with injuries on his right wrist, ankle, toe and back.” ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir urges coaches, selectors to do their bit to get Prithvi Shaw back in reckoning As reported by TOI, a medical team member who is attending the cricketer informed that Pant is stable and is not suffering any life-threatening injury. He said, “His condition is being monitored by Dr Gaurav Gupta of the orthopedics department. Pant is stable, not suffering from any life-threatening injury. His mother is with him in the hospital.” Dr Qamar Azam, who looks after the sports injury department at AIIMS-Rishikesh briefed about the severity of Pant’s condition, claiming the star cricketer will at least take somewhere between three to six months to recover from the ligament injury he sustained in his knee. “Pant will take at least three to six months to recover from the ligament injury. And if it’s severe, he may take more time. Further evaluation can be based on his detailed injury report,” Dr Qamar Azam said. Considering this assessment, Rishabh is all set to miss the home Test series against Australia, that begins on February 9th in Nagpur. Moreover, his availability for the IPL 2023 also remains uncertain. Since Pant had been one of the core players in the Test team for over two years now, not having him for the series against Australia will come as huge blow for the Indian team. While no confirmation on his availability has been made yet, it will be interesting to see who replaces him in the Test squad. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Rishabh Pant may take three to six months to recover; set to miss Australia series, IPL 2023

Coming off a brilliant double hundred in his 100th Test against South Africa at the iconic MCG, Australian opener David Warner is upbeat on continuing to do well for his team. Ending his lean patch with a mind-blowing 200 in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test, Warner said he is motivated to perform on the top level against India in the Test series and against England in away Ashes next year. Warner's superb show at the G also helped Australia beat the Proteas by an innings and 182 runs - and sealed the three-match Test series 2-0.

While addressing the media following the second Test, the opener said he is in a happy place, and that he doesn't feel 36 at all.

"I wish you would stop telling me my age. I don't feel 36," Warner said. "I'm running faster than a lot of these youngsters in (the dressing room). So when they catch up to me then I might think about pulling the pin.

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"The extra motivation for me is winning in India, and completely winning a series in England. I've been told by the coach and the selectors they'd like me to be there. I still know what energy I can bring to the team," Warner said.

Speaking in detail on the upcoming India tour, which begins on February 9th in Nagpur, Warner admitted&nbsp;everyone in the camp is aware of the challenge. The attacking batter added&nbsp;everyone knows what pitches will be on offer in Nagpur and Delhi, and preparations will be done accordingly.

"We know what we're going to prepare for, they're going to be turning wickets. It's different with the venues, Nagpur and Delhi quite dry, then Dharamsala that time of the year, we've played there, and we probably should have won that Test, but we lost that ourselves. There's going to be times when it's going to be challenging over there, but it's about how our batters can build and bat big as we did in Pakistan," Warner said.&nbsp;

Backing his team to do well&nbsp;against India in India this time, especially with the man-in-form Nathan Lyon ready&nbsp;to go, David said, "I think with the ball, we're going to do a fantastic job, we've got a world-class spinner in Nathan Lyon and we're going to have to potentially think about playing two spinners."

While Nagpur will host the first Test, Delhi (Feb 17-21 ), Dharamsala (Mar 1-5), and Ahmedabad (Mar 9-13), respectively are venues for the remaining Tests, whereas, the Ashes will start on June 16th in Edgbaston.

Coming off a brilliant double hundred in his 100th Test against South Africa at the iconic MCG, Australian opener David Warner is upbeat on continuing to do well for his team.

Coming off a brilliant double hundred in his 100th Test against South Africa at the iconic MCG, Australian opener David Warner is upbeat on continuing to do well for his team. Ending his lean patch with a mind-blowing 200 in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test, Warner said he is motivated to perform on the top level against India in the Test series and against England in away Ashes next year. Warner's superb show at the G also helped Australia beat the Proteas by an innings and 182 runs - and sealed the three-match Test series 2-0. While addressing the media following the second Test, the opener said he is in a happy place, and that he doesn't feel 36 at all. "I wish you would stop telling me my age. I don't feel 36," Warner said. "I'm running faster than a lot of these youngsters in (the dressing room). So when they catch up to me then I might think about pulling the pin. ALSO READ: Ahead of SL series, BCCI to hold review meeting on Team India's T20 World Cup campaign: Report "The extra motivation for me is winning in India, and completely winning a series in England. I've been told by the coach and the selectors they'd like me to be there. I still know what energy I can bring to the team," Warner said. Speaking in detail on the upcoming India tour, which begins on February 9th in Nagpur, Warner admitted everyone in the camp is aware of the challenge. The attacking batter added everyone knows what pitches will be on offer in Nagpur and Delhi, and preparations will be done accordingly. "We know what we're going to prepare for, they're going to be turning wickets. It's different with the venues, Nagpur and Delhi quite dry, then Dharamsala that time of the year, we've played there, and we probably should have won that Test, but we lost that ourselves. There's going to be times when it's going to be challenging over there, but it's about how our batters can build and bat big as we did in Pakistan," Warner said. Backing his team to do well against India in India this time, especially with the man-in-form Nathan Lyon ready to go, David said, "I think with the ball, we're going to do a fantastic job, we've got a world-class spinner in Nathan Lyon and we're going to have to potentially think about playing two spinners." While Nagpur will host the first Test, Delhi (Feb 17-21 ), Dharamsala (Mar 1-5), and Ahmedabad (Mar 9-13), respectively are venues for the remaining Tests, whereas, the Ashes will start on June 16th in Edgbaston.

Veteran Aussie opener David Warner is 'motivated' to do well on upcoming India tour, Ashes

Australia jolted with two huge blows as their all-rounder Cameron Green and seamer Mitchell Starc are out of the ongoing Test series against South Africa due to finger injuries. Where&nbsp;Green will go under the knife following the Boxing Day Test, Starc's recovery path could taker longer than expected.&nbsp;The upcoming India series that is scheduled to begin early next year might see&nbsp;Green getting&nbsp;back in shape for reckoning&nbsp;while given the nature of his injury, Starc could miss the first Test which begins on February 9th in Nagpur.

During the second Test at the iconic MCG, that Australia won by an innings and 182 runs and sealed the series 2-0, both players injured their fingers. While Green fractured his right index finger, Starc damaged the tendon in&nbsp;his left middle finger. Wearing courage on their sleeves, both&nbsp;came on and contributed in the second innings as well with Green hitting an unbeaten 51 off 171 balls and Starc picking up a wicket.&nbsp;

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Speaking to cricket.com.au after the match, Starc addressed the issue and said everyone is aware of the timeframe (of the India series) and that all will depend on the recovery process.

"India's the next big tour and we'll see where the timeframe is with that. It's my bowling hand so I've got to be pretty careful and make sure it heals properly," Starc told cricket.com.au. "The irony is (Green) will be back before I am. Bones are a bit quicker in the healing process, the tendon is a little bit different. I think we'll both be seeing the same specialist.

"I still think everyone's confident it will be more front-end (than back-end of the India tour that Starc will be right for). It will obviously depend on how it heals and how quickly it can do what it needs to do," Starc said.

Mitchell Starc, who injured his finger while fielding bowled more overs than anyone else during the Tests, an effort that is lauded by captain Pat Cummins as 'brave'. While the team doctors were confident that Starc will do no&nbsp;further damage to his already injured finger, the veteran seamer admitted he was in utter pain during his spells in the second innings. Elaborating on how he felt, Starc said,

"I wasn't sure what to expect," Starc said. "I need the middle finger for control more than anything.

"I've had a lot of painkillers. I could have jabbed it but I feel like I need the feeling of the ball on finger, otherwise I feel like I would have been spraying it everywhere."

Now with Australia already winning the Test series, it will be interesting to see who replaces Starc and Green in the XI for the final Test - scheduled to begin on January 4th in Sydney.

Australia jolted with two huge blows as their all-rounder Cameron Green and seamer Mitchell Starc are out of the ongoing Test series against South Africa due to finger injuries.

Australia jolted with two huge blows as their all-rounder Cameron Green and seamer Mitchell Starc are out of the ongoing Test series against South Africa due to finger injuries. Where Green will go under the knife following the Boxing Day Test, Starc's recovery path could taker longer than expected. The upcoming India series that is scheduled to begin early next year might see Green getting back in shape for reckoning while given the nature of his injury, Starc could miss the first Test which begins on February 9th in Nagpur. During the second Test at the iconic MCG, that Australia won by an innings and 182 runs and sealed the series 2-0, both players injured their fingers. While Green fractured his right index finger, Starc damaged the tendon in his left middle finger. Wearing courage on their sleeves, both came on and contributed in the second innings as well with Green hitting an unbeaten 51 off 171 balls and Starc picking up a wicket. ALSO READ: Affirmation do wonders! Shikha Pandey shares heartful message after getting picked in India's T20 WC squad Speaking to cricket.com.au after the match, Starc addressed the issue and said everyone is aware of the timeframe (of the India series) and that all will depend on the recovery process. "India's the next big tour and we'll see where the timeframe is with that. It's my bowling hand so I've got to be pretty careful and make sure it heals properly," Starc told cricket.com.au. "The irony is (Green) will be back before I am. Bones are a bit quicker in the healing process, the tendon is a little bit different. I think we'll both be seeing the same specialist. "I still think everyone's confident it will be more front-end (than back-end of the India tour that Starc will be right for). It will obviously depend on how it heals and how quickly it can do what it needs to do," Starc said. Mitchell Starc, who injured his finger while fielding bowled more overs than anyone else during the Tests, an effort that is lauded by captain Pat Cummins as 'brave'. While the team doctors were confident that Starc will do no further damage to his already injured finger, the veteran seamer admitted he was in utter pain during his spells in the second innings. Elaborating on how he felt, Starc said, "I wasn't sure what to expect," Starc said. "I need the middle finger for control more than anything. "I've had a lot of painkillers. I could have jabbed it but I feel like I need the feeling of the ball on finger, otherwise I feel like I would have been spraying it everywhere." Now with Australia already winning the Test series, it will be interesting to see who replaces Starc and Green in the XI for the final Test - scheduled to begin on January 4th in Sydney.

Cameron Green to undergo surgery, Mitchell Starc likely to miss Test against India due to injury