Preview, 2nd Test - India vs Australia at Gabba

Brisbane, Dec 14 (IANS) After a close encounter at the Adelaide Oval in which the Australian team managed a 48-run win over India, the visitors will now be greeted with a green top at the Gabba here in the second Test starting Dec 17.

“It’s a well grassed wicket," curator Kevin Mitchell was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.

“We are aiming for a typical Gabba wicket - life and bounce and pace is always what we are trying to achieve. At this stage, we are tracking along well," he added.

It is also to be noted the wicket is in identical condition to the one on which Mitchell Johnson's spring-loaded bouncers terrorised England for match figures of nine for 103 as Australia romped to a 381-run win last season.

The postponement of the Gabba Test has enabled the wicket to have an even grass coverage and it will be surely help the fast bowlers from both the sides.

The first Test in Adelaide was a run feast featuring six individual centuries and the fast bowlers were starved of wickets as none took more than two wickets per innings.

Australia are also thinking to change their pace attack, with Josh Hazlewood having a strong chance of making his Test debut at the expense of Peter Siddle.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is expected to return to lead the team.