Indian groundstaff continue to get under Australian team's skin with more pitch shenanigans

By News / Wire

Under-pressure Australia have been forced to cancel training in Nagpur after discovering several pitches were watered following the abrupt end to the first Test.

After losing inside three days at VCA Stadium, Australia plan to remain in the ‘Orange City’ before flying to the Delhi on Tuesday ahead of the second Test.

But plans to resume training on Sunday following the crushing innings and 132-run defeat have been scrapped.

Australia tried to inform ground staff on Saturday after the humiliating loss to hold off on watering the pitches as they intended to still use them.

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However, Australia on Sunday found out both the centre wickets and nets were under water and unsuitable for the optional training session after the groundstaff had either ignored or not received the request.

Australia are hopeful they can still train on Monday.

Earlier, Australia coach Andrew McDonald urged his team to be brave when next facing India’s star spinners.

Ravi Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin ran riot as Australia crumbled to be all out for 91 – their lowest Test total in India – in just one session to mark just the second loss under Pat Cummins’ captaincy.

Players shake hands after India defeated Australia in Nagpur. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“I think it’s the pressure that builds up when you get behind 200 plus runs behind in the game,” McDonald said on Sunday.

“You feel as though my only way out of this is to take my time and defend.

“If you’re not proactive, as I said if you allow the bowler to take it to you, with catches around the bat, then something’s going to happen.

“I thought Steve Smith summed it up really well after he came off and said we’re going to have to be brave, take some risks, take the ball down the ground, push some fielders out and give ourselves the ability to rotate the strike.”

India have claimed the last three Border-Gavaskar series and will be assured of retaining the trophy if they win the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium, starting on Friday.

Australia travelled to the subcontinent full of confidence they could win a Test series in India for the first time since 2004, but it would take something special to salute from here.

They have never won a series after losing the first Test in a four-match contest.

But Cummins is confident Australia can bounce back and put in a more competitive showing in Delhi.

“Everyone came with pretty clear plans,” Cummins said on Saturday.

“The challenge is, under the furnace to be brave enough to be proactive at the time.

“That will be the conversation over the next couple of days.”

Australia will travel to the Indian capital full of selection dilemmas, with fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – as well as allrounder Cameron Green – pushing to prove their fitness after missing the first Test.

Legendary Australia captain Allan Border – after whom the series is partly named – said it was “as bad as we can play”.

“There’s so many scars there now, it’s going to be a tough few days,” Border told Fox Cricket.

“You can talk the talk, but ultimately the boys with the bat in hand and ball in hand have got to do the job.”

Travis Head, the world’s No.4-ranked batter, was controversially axed for the series opener due to his poor record in Asia.

Playing his first Test since January 2019, Peter Handscomb was serviceable at No.6, but Queensland left-hander Matt Renshaw had a nightmare batting in Head’s usual position.

“We were confident it was our best XI this week,” Cummins said.

The Crowd Says:

2023-02-14T19:52:16+00:00

Clear as mud

Guest


can't find any of the recent ones??? https://www.icc-cricket.com/about/cricket/rules-and-regulations/pitch-ratings

2023-02-14T19:43:49+00:00

Clear as mud

Guest


that is a singularly disgusting post go mute yourself for a period you piece of work

2023-02-14T11:17:13+00:00

RedDukes

Roar Rookie


One suspects Ponting’s team would’ve fared a bit better, but still have been comfortably beaten by this Indian side. They’re playing an entirely different level of cricket at the moment….. especially in Indian conditions. I mean, I can’t think of too many sides in World cricket that boast a bowling all rounder at number 9 with a batting average of 27 (to complement a bowling average of sub-20). And that’s just Axar Patel. Ashwin at 8 has a similar batting average as well. That’s some serious batting depth right there, especially when you have a Jadeja at 6 with a batting average of 37.

2023-02-13T19:02:56+00:00

Targa

Roar Rookie


Oops 2021 NZ in India

2023-02-13T14:47:04+00:00

Trusty dusty

Guest


That's what they used to do before. I recall England arriving in South Africa in the late 90s and played darn near every provincial team before the first test. That was a strong South African squad back then but at least England are prepared and ready Australia doesn't have the talent these days to rock up at the last minute and beat a team that far outweighs them in talent and experience. This isn't Ricky Pontings team of champions this is patty and the softies

2023-02-13T14:44:24+00:00

Trusty dusty

Guest


Be careful mate, this is a new era of softness and gentle words. Ronald McDonald can't say anything to hurt his fragile Millennials feelings. Reminding them of how badly they played is horrible and hurts their fragile egos. Remember Glenn Maxwell? Couldn't score a run to save his life in the IPL then cried about mental health when the team owner wanted to talk to him about if he was worth his large paycheck lol

2023-02-13T14:41:31+00:00

Trusty dusty

Guest


The lovely Indians who are known for their hospitality and delicious food etc probably were chuckling over this. These Aussies are desperate to use the pitch for practice, why didn't they want to bat when the game was on. Lol

2023-02-13T09:26:03+00:00

Chanon

Roar Rookie


That’s hilarious :thumbup:

2023-02-13T09:24:27+00:00

Chanon

Roar Rookie


Maybe the next chapter a World X1 vs the best characters that represented Australia :stoked:

2023-02-13T09:23:33+00:00

Rowdy

Roar Rookie


That's XI. Maybe a 12th Start a World XI .... Don Knotts plays Alan Knots Richard Pryor plays Michael Holding

2023-02-13T09:20:46+00:00

Rowdy

Roar Rookie


I forgot

2023-02-13T09:18:56+00:00

Chanon

Roar Rookie


Funky Miller has to be Tom Baker

2023-02-13T09:09:31+00:00

Chanon

Roar Rookie


I thought we were doing a ICC World X1 :stoked:

2023-02-13T06:32:19+00:00

Rowdy

Roar Rookie


Jim Jefferies does S Waugh. We must be close to a top order. Jim Carrey does Gilly Eddie Murphy does Shaun Tait.

2023-02-13T06:30:52+00:00

Rowdy

Roar Rookie


Clearly worse.

2023-02-13T06:30:07+00:00

Rowdy

Roar Rookie


Phew, l wasn't sure there for a moment.

2023-02-13T06:13:19+00:00

Clear as mud

Guest


factual question - have the ICC released a pitch assessment yet. Brisso was below average when I thought it could have been poor. i think this would be below average as well, due to inconsistencies. that means India or anyone else can do it 4 years out of 5 and keep tests there. that's the system. for better or worse.

2023-02-13T06:08:27+00:00

Clear as mud

Guest


as mud. and i oughta know!

2023-02-13T05:00:11+00:00

Rowdy

Roar Rookie


John Cleese plays Cummins Eric Idle plays Clarke Shaun Micallef plays GSC Wayne Hope plays K Hughes

2023-02-13T04:11:11+00:00

Nobody likes a smarta*s

Roar Rookie


I said more than that. The last sentence says "the way things are going" - no mention of spinners quality there. I think my message is clear

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