Indian curators up to their old tricks again! The photo shows the third test field looking decidedly green: ‘A 10-year-old could whip up a pile like this’
Footage emerged from Indore of another patchwork field being prepared by Indian curators ahead of Australia’s third Test.
AAP reporter Oliver Caffrey shared the first images of the Indore countryside with the caption ‘look at all that grass in Indore’.
The middle of the pitch is tempting green, but Australian bowlers hoping to extract something from the wicket will be disappointed, as both ends of the pitch are as barren and dry as the Simpson Desert.
It’s set to be another big turner.
To make matters worse, there are images of barefoot workers using the heavy roller to crush the turfs, ensuring there will be little left for pace players when the game starts on Wednesday.
An aerial photo shows the green patch in the middle, the dry tips and a team of Indian gardeners working in the field.
The green spot in the middle is getting a heavy workout from the roller.
Cricket fans were blunt at the patchwork ground venue designed exclusively to help Indian spin bowlers.
‘So India really doesn’t have a field man because technically it’s not a cricket ground? A 10-year-old could cook such crap,” posted one fan.
‘Wait 48 hours and the grass will turn red,’ posted another.
‘India 3-0 loading’ added another.
While the midfield may tempt the Aussies to play with more pace, their options are limited with captain Pat Cummins returning home to Australia to stay with his ailing mother, while Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out with injury.
In a boost for the Aussies, versatile Cameron Green and pace leader Mitchell Starc are set to return from finger injuries and could be the pace options released in Indore.
There will be a level of discomfort for a while, I don’t think it will be 100 per cent for a while,’ Starc said in Indore on Monday.
“But the ball is coming out really well and I feel like I’m on top.
‘It wouldn’t be the first test match I’ve played with some sort of discomfort.
‘If I only played when I was 100 per cent, I would only have played five or 10 Tests.
‘I’m happy with the situation and I’ve built up enough of a pain threshold to deal with these things over the last 10 or 12 years.’
Starc has returned to bowling in a boost for the Aussies and is set to replace Pat Cummins in the Aussie forward
Footage has also surfaced of Starc extracting a reverse swing into the nets at Indore and he is confident the body is ready to go.
“I had 10 days off when I was first injured and I’ve been bowling ever since,” said Starc.
‘In terms of workload, body, no worries at all, I’m comfortable and happy with where my numbers are, where my body is gearing up for this series.
‘Very happy with where everything is, now it’s just a skill run after a break in game time.’
The Australians are taking no chances before the third Test, bringing in Indian Cricview Academy leg spinner Sahil Tyagi to bowl in the nets.
Tyagi is an emerging Indian talent and has spent hours bowling for the Australian first order including Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.