It is a crucial series for India because they need to win at least three of the four scheduled matches to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final. However, the contest wouldn’t be easy for the hosts as Australia, the current WTC table toppers, will also be looking to seal their spot for the ultimate championship battle.
Now, ahead of the much-awaited face-off, Australian great Ian Healy has criticized India revealing the reason behind Pat Cummins-led side not playing a practice match before the commencement of the series.
Speaking about the same, Usman Khawaja had also recently said there was no point in playing practice matches in India as the pitch prepared for the tour game is very different from the wicket in actual fixtures.
“Have you ever been pre-tour with us? They can be spinning wickets when we play but we go to the practice matches and they are green Gabba-like wickets out there so what’s the point,” Khawaja said in a press conference.
Healy agreed to Khawaja and backed him by saying that preparing different wickets for practice and actual games is disappointing and a ‘breach of trust’.
“We’ve gathered our spinners in Sydney for strategic talks (on replica India surfaces)… we no longer trust that the requested facilities will be provided for a nation,” Healy said on SEN Radio on Monday.
“We’ve been part of this shenanigan too by the way… when we’re over (in England) we spend our time whinging about weakened County teams that England put up as our opposition before the series.”
“Our focus in cricket has shifted from creating opportunities and experiences for our best up and coming cricketers… now we deny touring teams quality preparation before very highly anticipated series and I don’t like it.
“It’s disappointing to watch such dismantling of trust between cricket’s nations and it needs to stop,” added the veteran wicket-keeper.
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