Geoff Lawson, the former Australia pace bowler of the 1980s and erstwhile Pakistan coach, reckons the Optus Stadium in Perth will be similar in nature to the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground. India and Australia clash in the second 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy game at the new stadium today.

"How the [new stadium's] pitch will play is going to be very interesting, but it could be very similar to the traditional WACA strip. There will be plenty pace and bounce," said Lawson, who predicted the pitch will develop cracks earlier than what was witnessed in a New South Wales v Western Australia Sheffield Shield clash last month because it was less hot than the current climate in Perth. Interestingly, Australia's premier spinner Nathan Lyon turned out for NSW in that game and claimed seven wickets although there wasn't much turn for the spinners.