Australia captain Pat Cummins inspects the pitch and clicks photographs forward of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ultimate towards India in Ahmedabad on November 18, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Robert Cianflone
Inspecting the pitch earlier than a match is routine however clicking footage of the observe, for potential dressing room dialogue and technique constructing, is a bit uncommon.
That’s precisely what occurred this morning when Australia skipper Pat Cummins got here to take a look on the 22-yard-strip which shall be used for the World Cup title conflict between India and Australia on November 19.
Probably the pitch is taking part in on Australians’ thoughts earlier than the massive match.
Cummins was guarded in his response when requested about his evaluation of the pitch, which has already been used for the marquee India-Pakistan match.
“Just had a look,” Cummins replied when requested in regards to the observe.
So what do you make of it? He was probed additional.
“I’m not a great pitch reader, but it looked pretty firm. They’ve only just watered it, so yeah, give it another 24 hours and have a look, but it looks like a pretty good wicket.” “I think Pakistan played someone there,” he stated with out taking India’s title.
While Australian workforce had a day coaching session, Cummins was on the Narendra Modi Stadium simply after half previous 9.
He went as much as the sq. after which began clicking footage to probably test and evaluate how a lot the observe’s look will change from Saturday morning to afternoon and subsequently on the match-day afternoon. In reality, earlier than the Australian coaching session began, Steve Smith, Travis Head, head coach Andrew McDonald additionally needed to have a detailed look. Head, a superb off-spinner in conducive situations tried to gauge the hardness of the floor.
Eden Gardens strip had a number of deliveries turning at proper angles however Cummins imagine that it will not be like that in Motera.
A black soil observe, rolled closely to make sure slowness, is on supply. Batting shall be tough underneath the lights if opposition has two high quality spinners working within the center overs.
“It’s been a bit more high scoring here throughout the tournament. It’s obviously the same for both teams. No doubt playing on your own wicket in your own country has some advantages, similar to wickets that you’ve been playing your whole life,” he stated.
Unlike Wankhede the place New Zealand just about misplaced the sport after dropping the toss, it will not be the case at Motera.
“I think, of all the venues, perhaps this venue – the toss isn’t as important as, say, a Mumbai Wankhede Stadium or other venues. So, we’ll be ready in terms of anything they’ll throw at us. Yeah, we’ll wait and see, but we’ll make sure we have some plans.”
Dew shall be huge issue
ICC’s pitch marketing consultant Andy Atkinson did pay a go to and was round for an hour as BCCI’s curators monitored the final day contact up earlier than it’s handed over to match referee Andy Pycroft.
The GCA ground-staff have been seen utilizing anti-dew spray within the afternoon because the final 20-25 overs of the match are at all times affected by late night dew.
“I think the biggest difference is the dew. This city and venue seems to have more dew than a lot of the other places we play. So perhaps, yeah, that’s something to think about ahead of tomorrow.” If Australia bat second, protecting dew think about thoughts, Cummins indicated that batting order may very well be tweaked a bit.
“You’ve got to weigh up batting during the day when it might be a bit easier than under lights, but knowing that late in the second innings it could also slide on.
“Again, it (dew) may solely be the final quarter of the sport however as soon as that settles in and the ball is skidding on, it is fairly totally different to say the primary 20 overs the place it is likely to be swinging. So, one thing to contemplate,” he additional said.
Source: www.thehindu.com
