The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 (BGT) will commence on Friday as India takes on Australia in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
This will be the fifth match at the venue. Australia has won all the four games played here so far. The last time India played at the venue was during the BGT in 2017/18 when it lost by 146 runs as Nathan Lyon claimed eight wickets in the contest.
Since then, Australia has beaten New Zealand, West Indies and Pakistan at the Optus Stadium. In all four games, Australia won the toss and batted first.
STATS AT OPTUS STADIUM
Pitch Report
Perth is known for its pace and bounce. However, the Optus Stadium uses a drop-in pitch which is prepared away from the ground and later installed to the square. This leaves scope to introduce subtle changes to the nature of the wicket.
This is evident from the improved efficiency spinners have had after the switch from the WACA to the Optus Stadium. At the WACA, spinners had 229 wickets in 44 matches at an average of 44. In comparison, spinners have taken 37 wickets at an average of 33 at the new Perth Satdium.
Despite the bit of help for spinners, pacers have ruled the roost at the Perth Stadium, taking 102 wickets at the venue at an average of 29.71. Pacers have been used far more as well, having bowled 1014 overs to the spinners’ 393.
The pitch curator at the Optus Stadium said that the wicket will again offer conditions conducive to fast bowlers.
Toss factor at Optus Stadium
The toss has been of great significance at the Optus Stadium. The team winning the toss has gone on to win all the four games at the venue so far.
Moreover, the average first innings score at the Optus Stadium is 456. Moreover, teams have scored more than 200 runs in the fourth innings only once across the four games, hinting at pitch deterioration. Across the fourth innings, Nathan Lyon has picked 17 wickets including two five-wicket hauls.
Hence, the captain winning the toss on Friday is likely to opt to bat again.
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