Aussies bank on adaptability to make fast start in Birmingham

An unfamiliar hybrid pitch, a raucous crowd and an India team pledging to bring a "killing attitude" will confront Australia in Friday's Commonwealth Games opener at Edgbaston.

Meg Lanning's squad had their first look at the Birmingham venue that will host T20 cricket's first appearance at the quadrennial event on Thursday, just 24 hours out from their blockbuster showdown with India that is likely to be played in front of a sell-out crowd.

Of the current Australian squad, only vice-captain Rachael Haynes has previously played at Edgbaston – she hit a match-winning 66no from 40 balls in England's former T20 domestic competition in 2018 – but had no memory of the game until she walked into the venue on Thursday.

India likewise have no experience playing as a team at the iconic venue and opener Shafali Verma is the only player from either side who could lay any claim to the tag of 'local', having played for Birmingham Phoenix in last year's The Hundred.

One of the more intriguing challenges for Australia will be how quickly can they adapt to the hybrid pitches that will be used for all group stage matches.

The surface, which weaves artificial material with turf, has become popular at grounds in the United Kingdom in recent years as it is hardier and more weather resistant than traditional turf pitches.

Edgbaston has both surfaces, and its traditional turf pitches in the centre square will be used for the semi-finals and medal matches.

"Playing the first game on it might be the hardest in some ways and then we're playing the last (on that pitch too)," allrounder Ashleigh Gardner told reporters on Thursday.

"There was a little bit of purchase (for spin bowlers at Thursday's training).

Image Id: D43626783E7D4829889168C628889BE2 Image Caption: Australia's brains trust speak with the Edgbaston curator // Commonwealth Games Australia

"It'll be interesting to see how different it is compared to the first and last game.

"Our team's so great at adapting, no matter what conditions are thrown up at us, on the run.

"Whether that's with bat or ball in hand, our team sums those conditions up pretty quickly."

Australia have never played on a hybrid surface outside of training, but wicketkeeper-batted Alyssa Healy said on Wednesday she did not expect them to deteriorate too much despite six group matches being played on each pitch.

"I haven't played in a tournament on hybrid wickets before ... but training on a few in the past, I know how well they hold together," Healy said.

"Spin will come into play – naturally being T20 cricket, I think there'll be a lot of spin-heavy attacks – but I think pace will still play its role (on these surfaces)."

Image Id: 7C64735A85FE47E78F7102E5D519F536 Image Caption: Alana King will be a key weapon for Australia // Commonwealth Games Australia

Australia and India are grouped with lower-ranked Pakistan and outlier Barbados, representing West Indies, and the winner of Friday's match is likely to finish on top of the group, barring a significant upset or rain-affected matches.

With no reserve day in place for the semi-finals – they are being played on August 6, ahead of the medal matches on August 7 – finishing first in the group could prove crucial if wet weather comes into play. A reserve day is in place for the medal matches.

India have a point to prove after their shock group-stage exit from the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand in February, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur vowed her side would bring a ruthless attitude to Edgbaston.

Image Id: 3282CD64FC1D4C46A65242D561701AF4 Image Caption: All matches will be played at Edgbaston // Commonwealth Games Australia

Her team will be without Pooja Vastrakar, who on Thursday was unveiled as Brisbane Heat's latest overseas signing, with the key allrounder yet to arrive in Birmingham after she tested positive for COVID on the eve of the team's departure.

"We keep talking about that killing attitude, and right now, we are working on that," Kaur told reporters in Birmingham on Thursday.

"Australia is a good team, but I can only talk about my team. The killing attitude is something we all are working on."

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

Your ultimate guide to cricket at the Commonwealth Games

July 29: Australia v India (11am local, 8pm AEST)

July 31: Australia v Barbados (6pm local, 3am Aug 1 AEST)

August 3: Australia v Pakistan (11am local, 8pm AEST)

Semi-finals: August 6, 11am local (8pm AEST) and 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium