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Wet T20 pitch riles India

Wet T20 pitch riles India

01/30/2012 08:56:00 AM

Angry India coach Duncan Fletcher may demand his team's final training session be switched from ANZ Stadium to the SCG after the tourists' troubled tour of Australia ran into further controversy ahead of the T20 series opener.

With Australia to meet India on Wednesday in the first international played at Olympic headquarters, Fletcher was outraged to find the ground's practice wickets too wet for use on Monday.

The visitors were forced to undergo fielding drills and a game of soccer while the Australians went through an intense two-hour outfield and nets session at the SCG.

An unimpressed Fletcher wants his team's final session on Tuesday moved to the SCG.

"There was a bit of a concern with the practice pitches this morning,'' ANZ Stadium curator Les Burdett confirmed.

"The centre pitch dried out beautifully, but the ones in the pocket don't get as much sun or air flow and hold a bit more (water)."

"There were some concerns from the Indians. I spoke with Duncan Fletcher, he understood the predicament, but obviously he was disappointed and rightfully so."

"He wanted firm pitches, but with the elements and the rain around, we were unable to deliver."

"Duncan in the end used (the session) as an orientation. He was disappointed because he wanted a decent workout with his players, but used it to get a feel for the ground and an understanding of what it is like to field here.''

There was further tension when a group of Australian journalists was denied access to ANZ Stadium for the start of a press conference with batsman Suresh Raina.

The Indians have endured a forgettable tour, thrashed 4-0 in the Test series amid questions marks over the futures of several ageing stars.

Fiery middle order batsman Virat Kohli and paceman Ishant Sharma have clashed with Australian fans while there have been a number of exchanges between opposing players in the middle.

The tourists are hoping the start of the T20 and one-day series offers some respite.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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