Sachin Tendulkar likely to play in warm-up games on the Australia tour

India have never won a Test series in Australia and win would provide a perfect swansong for Sachin Tendulkar © AFP

By CricketCountry Staff

Canberra: Nov 10, 2011

The upcoming India’s tour of Australia is likely to be Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar’s last trip Down Under and cricket administrators expect the master-blaster to take to the pitch at Manuka Oval where India is set to play a warm-up match ahead of their first Test which starts on Boxing Day in Melbourne.

India have never won a Test series in Australia and win would provide a perfect swansong for Tendulkar.

Cricket ACT acting chief executive Andrew Larratt said the world's best batsman will play both warm-up games to assist his team's preparations for the Test series.

India are scheduled to play a two-day match and a three-day match against Chairman's XI sides at Manuka from December 15 in its only warm-up matches in Australia for the four-Test series.

Larratt expects the appearance of the batting stars will sell out Manuka Oval.

''They'll want to get in the Australian conditions and they'll want to get runs under their belt leading into the first Test on Boxing Day,'' Larratt said.

''They'll be fielding a stronger batting line-up and having a look at the bowlers and managing their workload.''

''It's really a huge opportunity and a Test for the ACT and the broader region to show the passion levels and fanaticism to come out and see international cricket and see the might of the Indian team ... it's a once in a lifetime opportunity,'' Larratt said.