The hue and cry over pitches in India is incomprehensible: Kasprowicz

Former fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz believes the hype surrounding the pitches in India during the Border Gavaskar Trophy is incomprehensible as they are pure Indian wickets and Australia will have to adapt. Kasprowicz, who was one of the architects of Australia’s first win in India after a gap of 29 years (1998), told ‘The Age’, “I don’t understand the hue and cry about the pitch.” These are traditional Indian wickets and don’t know why there is so much hue and cry about them.

The former player, who was part of Australia’s team (2004) that won the only Test series in India, said, “The wicket was taking more turn in the Indore Test but there might have been some moisture due to the match starting early in the morning.” The rest of the day was not getting that much turn.” India won the Nagpur and Delhi Tests but Australia won at Indore. The pitches in the first two Tests were termed by the ICC as ‘average’ while the one at Indore was termed ‘poor’. Several former players, including former captain Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh, criticized the Indore pitch. Kasprowicz said, “I remember the 1998 Bangalore Test where the dry pitch was visible. There was no grass on it but there were cracks. You have to adjust to the situation. After all, this is Test cricket.” The fourth Test will be played in Ahmedabad from March 9.