Upset ... The Indian touring party in a huff after being made to wait by the Prime Minister after they turned up unexpectedly early for a reception at Kirribilli House on New Year's Day. Photo: Star News India
THE ability of Duncan Fletcher's misfiring tourists to create controversy rather than win matches came to the fore again yesterday when an impromptu training session created more off-field drama.
The Indians caused consternation among ANZ Stadium and Cricket NSW officials after complaining about the damp state of practice wickets at the venue and, not for the first time this summer, Fletcher was in the thick of the action.
It's understood Fletcher's tone softened after realising he was dealing with the renowned curator Les Burdett, who retired in 2010 after 32 years of distinguished service preparing pitches at Adelaide Oval.
Not happy ... Virender Sehwag waves his bat at James Pattinson. Photo: Pat Scala
The drama started when the Indians changed their practice schedule yesterday morning, arriving at the Homebush Bay venue at 9am, to the surprise of stadium and Cricket NSW officials.
Burdett refused to divulge whether India had been expected at the ground but explained to Fletcher that it was impossible to dry the practice wickets, which had been covered, after Sydney's wet weather last week.
The Indians were fearful the wickets would be too lively for their batsmen, who have been outplayed by Australia's pacemen in local conditions, and restricted their players to throwdowns in the nets.
But after their fears proved ill-founded, Fletcher's bowlers adopted normal practice.
Their complaints, however, set off alarm bells at Cricket NSW, which is desperate for tomorrow night's Twenty20 match - the first international in Sydney played away from the SCG - to be a success. ''We've got so much riding on this game the last thing we want is facilities not presented in a fit and proper state,'' Cricket NSW chief David Gilbert said.
Unlike the match strip, the practice pitches are off the ground and shaded from much of the afternoon sun. Hence, they take longer to dry.
India's low-key practice was in stark contrast to the session Mickey Arthur put the home side through at the SCG. As promised by Arthur, Australia's Twenty20 squad members were regularly seen doubled over gasping for air, so rigorous were the fielding drills, aimed to refine players' skills under physical duress.
''We just want to put a marker in the sand; it's the start of something new,'' Arthur said. ''There's a group of players there that have got first bite at a potential World Cup in six months' time; we want to see what they're all about. The boys are going to get fairly flogged today.''
India, after not making a change to their beleaguered top six throughout the Test series, will give up-and-coming players such as Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja opportunities to shine in the next five weeks.
''There's no doubt in my mind we're going to see a totally different India arrive for the Twenty20s and the one-dayers,'' Arthur said.
''They're definitely hurting. They've got players in who bring a huge amount of enthusiasm.''
Raina, who did not play in the Tests, said motivation was high in the Indian camp to atone for their dismal summer. ''The youngsters have done very well in the last couple of months so we hope for the best and are looking forward,'' he said.
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