Australia and West Indies have both declared their playing XIs for the first Test of the two-match series, which begins on January 17 in Adelaide.
Australia’s lineup is unsurprising, with Steve Smith starting at No. 1 and Cameron Green at No. 4.
Scott Boland and Matt Renshaw will be missing from the previously confirmed 13-man roster.
Smith opening the batting as David Warner’s replacement is much anticipated.
The Australians want to build on their 3-0 series success against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the West Indies will be led by bowler Shamar Joseph and middle-order hitters Kavem Hodge and Justin Greaves.
The absence of talented all-rounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, who chose to play in T20 leagues instead, has badly harmed them.
The West Indies last played red-ball cricket at home against India in July last year, falling 0-1 in a two-match series.
After the Adelaide Test, the sides will play a day-night match in Brisbane to complete the two-match series.
West Indies will attempt to break Australia’s 31-year losing run
Australia and West Indies, which dominated international cricket in the 1970s and 1980s, have become one of the most one-sided in recent years.
Since 2000-01, Australia has won the past nine Test series between the two countries.
Worse, the West Indies’ last Test match victory against Australia came in the final game of the 2003 series at home.
They last won a Test in Australia on the 1996-97 trip and last won a series against them in 1992-93.
Despite losing 2-0 in their last tour to Australia in November 2022, the West Indies battled valiantly, particularly in the first Test in Perth.
The current World Test Championship (WTC) champion, has started the cycle in fine form.
They lead the standings with 54 points after eight games, while the West Indies are eighth with four points after two.
The West Indies squad mentor is legendary hitter Brian Lara, while their bowling coach is former Australia fast Shaun Tait.
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