Australia’s practice session in Nagpur following the completion of the first Test was postponed because groundskeepers had already irrigated the pitch and the area around the nets, thus, Ian Healy, the Australian legend was full of criticism for such a behaviour.
In a thrilling 1st Test match for the hosts from the outset, India defeated Australia in three days. The Indian spin pair of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin was unavoidable for the Australian hitters.
While Ashwin finished his fifer in the second innings, Jadeja finished his fifer in the first. In the series, Rohit Sharma became the first centurion thanks to his outstanding 120-knock effort on a difficult surface.
In order to ensure that India had a solid lead, Jadeja and Axar Patel both struck crucial fifty-plus scores. Everyone realised it would be extremely difficult for Team Australia to change the match’s momentum in their favour.
As the Men in Blues established a gigantic score giving them a very strong lead at the end of the first innings. It was embarrassing to say the least when Australia was bowled out for 91 in 33 overs during the afternoon session of Day 3.
The management of the squad therefore made the choice to train on the Nagpur wicket on Day 4. The Aussies were doing so in order to become used to the sub-continental surfaces.
However, the grounds crew had already watered the field and the area around the nets, their plans fell through.
Ian Healy comments on the Nagpur pitch act situation
On this situation Australian legend Ian Healy said:
“That’s not good, that’s just not good for cricket. The ICC needs to step in here. For them to water the wicket unceremoniously when it was requested for practice is horrible and that has to improve.”
When discussing the topic on SEN Cricket, Australian veteran Ian Healy called it “pathetic”.
The 58-year-old further added saying
“It’s really embarrassing the scuppering of our plans to get some practice sessions on that Nagpur wicket,”
The Australian head coach previously discussed the circumstance as well.
He said,
“It’s pretty clear isn’t it, their intent with the surfaces they want to play on. We were expecting that coming in so as I said before, we’ve been really clear on what we expected.”
The series’ next Test will be played in Delhi beginning on February 17, 2023. When the two teams begin the second Test, India will be eager to add another home win. Meanwhile, Australian supporters would be looking for a comeback to give them some optimism in the series.
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