The scene of Australia’s series against the West Indies shifts to Adelaide Oval tomorrow afternoon (3:00pm AEDT) for a day-nighter – the second and final Test between the two – after the hosts finished with a 164-run win in the series opener.
The first Test saw Marnus Labuschagne cruise to scores of 204 and 104* to claim Player of the Match honours as Australia continued their 27-year stranglehold on the Frank Worrell Trophy.
In major news for the Australians, skipper Pat Cummins will miss the match with a quad strain that kept him from bowling in the final innings of the first Test in Perth.
Ashes hero Scott Boland is set to be promoted into the side with Steve Smith to take over as stand-in skipper.
Cummins was ruled out this morning prior to the side’s training session.
With Michael Neser a part of the squad and Western Australia paceman Lance Morris a late call-up, there was no guarantee that Boland – who has a single-digit career Test bowling average – would be afforded another opportunity after a fairy tale summer.
The 33-year-old is, however, in line to join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in a revamped Australian pace attack.
The West Indies, meanwhile, are dealing with several injury concerns of their own.
Nkrumah Bonner is not expected to play after suffering a concussion in the side’s first innings in Perth with Shamarh Brooks – who replaced him mid-Test – set to bat at three.
Kemar Roach’s status is also up in the air after the veteran quick picked up a hamstring issue in Perth but the team is confident he will be available.
Anderson Phillip and uncapped quick Marquino Mindley – who only arrived in Adelaide yesterday – firm as potential replacements should Roach be ruled out.
Kyle Mayers will not bowl due to a shoulder issue whilst Jayden Seales is battling a left knee injury.
The play of openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul was a major positive for the West Indies in their opening Test loss, however, Australia are undefeated in day-night Tests and enter this one again as short-priced favourites.
