Last Updated on 2 weeks by Charbel Coorey

The Perth weather is typically beautiful for Test cricket, but there has been some unseasonal rain in the lead up to the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). The Optus Stadium pitch is in the spotlight, but pre-match rain makes “big-snake cracks” unlikely according to WA Cricket head curator Isaac McDonald.

According to ESPNcricinfo, rain during the week has affected pitch preparation. McDonald still feels the surface will play well, but he doesn’t think it will deteriorate as it did during the Australia-Pakistan Test last year.

“I don’t think this weather is going to make this pitch fall apart,” he said. “There’ll be some deterioration. Grass will stand up during the game and offer that variable bounce. But in terms of big-snake WACA cracks, unfortunately, I don’t think the weather’s going to get us there.”

Optus Stadium Perth weather for 1st BGT Test between Australia and India

Up to 7mm of rain is forecast to fall on Thursday, but conditions are expected to be perfect for the Test which begins on Friday November 22. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a possible morning shower on day one, but there is only a 40% chance of up to 1mm falling in the entire day.

Days two, three, four and five are forecast to be sunny, with temperatures crossing 30 degrees over the weekend. Reliable platform AccuWeather forecasts the same.

However, the rain in the leadup adds a different complexion to proceedings. Batting first has proven very successful at Optus Stadium, with Australia winning all four matches thanks to an average score of 456 first up. However, there could be extra movement in the surface early given it’s been under cover in the days leading up to the Test.

McDonald said 8-10mm of grass would be left on the pitch, which can aid the quicks even further. “At the moment, we’re leaning towards rolling it a bit more on top to get that firmness, and that happy medium between bat and ball. [It] would be nice if the sun pops out, but we’re really comfortable as a curating team,” he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Despite the dominance Australia have enjoyed batting first, a potentially difficult decision awaits the winner of the toss. Both batting lineups are on shaky ground, with Australia doing it tough at times last summer and India fresh off a 3-0 defeat at home to New Zealand. So, there may the temptation to bowl and have first crack at the opposition on a pitch that will likely have moisture.

Time will tell, but it already adds a fascinating narrative to what shapes up to be a magnificent series.