Prithvi Shaw's injury update, Nature of the pitch for second Test and more - Cricket News Today, 8th December 2018

Pitch for the second Test to assist the pacers

The wicket at the Optus Stadium

With the second Test between India and Australia just a couple of days away, the pitch curator at the Optus Stadium in Perth has warned both the teams that the match may not go the distance as a green and bouncy drop-in wicket will be given to the teams.

He is expecting the fast bowlers to gain significant seam, swing and bounce and has urged the team winning the toss to bowl first.

"For us it’s been more about there’s no Gabba in this Test series. So the only other ground that’s got the potential to be that fiery, bouncy pitch is our one.

Length of time hasn’t been discussed at all. It’s just try and make it quick, try and make it bouncy. I would think you would probably want to (bowl first).

We’d think they probably would. At the moment the forecast is looking like low 30s right through the game, so if there’s anything in it it’s going to be early. But it may quicken up on day two as it dries out a little bit and gets a bit harder too," curator Brett Sipthorpe said.