Aussie spinner Jess Jonassen said she and the rest of the women's spin cartel are "licking their lips" at the prospect of bowling on a genuine turning wicket.
The Aussie women are set to begin a rare Christmas tour when they take on India in a one-off Test at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
The Test is the first match of a multi-format series. It's the first time an Australian team – men's or women's – has toured internationally over Christmas since Bill Lawry's team toured India in 1969-1970.
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On that tour, they even played on Christmas Day and would win the series 3-1.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Jonassen said the team were pumped for a bit of clear air uninterrupted by men's Tests.
She said being away for the festive season wasn't something that phased her, but admitted it "feels a bit weird".
"We are obviously so used to the Christmas/New Years period being the men's Tests," Jonassen said.
"It is a really cool opportunity and a way to have an experience that a large majority of us thought we would never have, having Christmas and New Years in India.
"It was something that when it first came about, it was earmarked in a lot of people's calendars from a long way back.
"Knowing it was going to be over that Christmas period, I know for me personally I didn't really care. I just wanted to be part of it."
To make the festive tour easier on players, Cricket Australia has also sent their partners and families so they can all be together.
The Test will also be the first for Alyssa Healy as full-time skipper.
India is fresh off the back of a massive 347-run win over England inside three days in Mumbai.
Batting first, India piled on 428 before rolling the tourists for 136 in just the 36th over. India pushed their lead out to a whopping 478 in their second dig, before again rolling the tourists cheaply – for 131 in less than 28 overs.
Indian spinner Deepti Sharma was awarded player of the match honours for her match figures of 9-39 and a first innings 67 with the bat.
Jonassen said all the Aussie bowlers were watching that match and "licking their lips" at the prospect of bowling on a pitch that deteriorates and turns – a rare opportunity in a women's game dominated by white-ball cricket.
"Just watching the recent India-England women's Test and how that played out, every single spinner in our team is licking their lips and hoping to get that nod in the final XI. It is a really exciting time," she said.
"We play in a lot of limited-overs cricket and we don't really get the deterioration of a wicket that you do in Test match cricket. Everybody is relishing the opportunity."
Despite that, she said the Aussies were still going into the match with a lid on expectations.
"It is really tricky sometimes, coming to a place that is seen as spin-friendly conditions, as a spin bowler there is that little bit of extra pressure and you are expected to perform and do well," Jonassen said.
"It is a reminder you still have to bowl your best ball to produce results. Things aren't just going to happen for you, you still have to put the ball in the right area."
The four day Test begins tonight.
Aussie spinner Jess Jonassen said she and the rest of the women's spin cartel are "licking their lips" at the prospect of bowling on a genuine turning wicket.
The Aussie women are set to begin a rare Christmas tour when they take on India in a one-off Test at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
The Test is the first match of a multi-format series. It's the first time an Australian team – men's or women's – has toured internationally over Christmas since Bill Lawry's team toured India in 1969-1970.
READ MORE Police called in after 'irate' fan shirtfronts goalie
READ MORE: Aussie racing icon unloads on F1 'prima donnas'
READ MORE: Why 'under the radar' Piastri won't copy Ricciardo
On that tour, they even played on Christmas Day and would win the series 3-1.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Jonassen said the team were pumped for a bit of clear air uninterrupted by men's Tests.
She said being away for the festive season wasn't something that phased her, but admitted it "feels a bit weird".
"We are obviously so used to the Christmas/New Years period being the men's Tests," Jonassen said.
"It is a really cool opportunity and a way to have an experience that a large majority of us thought we would never have, having Christmas and New Years in India.
"It was something that when it first came about, it was earmarked in a lot of people's calendars from a long way back.
"Knowing it was going to be over that Christmas period, I know for me personally I didn't really care. I just wanted to be part of it."
To make the festive tour easier on players, Cricket Australia has also sent their partners and families so they can all be together.
The Test will also be the first for Alyssa Healy as full-time skipper.
India is fresh off the back of a massive 347-run win over England inside three days in Mumbai.
Batting first, India piled on 428 before rolling the tourists for 136 in just the 36th over. India pushed their lead out to a whopping 478 in their second dig, before again rolling the tourists cheaply – for 131 in less than 28 overs.
Indian spinner Deepti Sharma was awarded player of the match honours for her match figures of 9-39 and a first innings 67 with the bat.
Jonassen said all the Aussie bowlers were watching that match and "licking their lips" at the prospect of bowling on a pitch that deteriorates and turns – a rare opportunity in a women's game dominated by white-ball cricket.
"Just watching the recent India-England women's Test and how that played out, every single spinner in our team is licking their lips and hoping to get that nod in the final XI. It is a really exciting time," she said.
"We play in a lot of limited-overs cricket and we don't really get the deterioration of a wicket that you do in Test match cricket. Everybody is relishing the opportunity."
Despite that, she said the Aussies were still going into the match with a lid on expectations.
"It is really tricky sometimes, coming to a place that is seen as spin-friendly conditions, as a spin bowler there is that little bit of extra pressure and you are expected to perform and do well," Jonassen said.
"It is a reminder you still have to bowl your best ball to produce results. Things aren't just going to happen for you, you still have to put the ball in the right area."
The four day Test begins tonight.
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