India shorten tie with Essex over ground conditions
CHELMSFORD: India’s four-day practice match against Essex was reduced to three days amid high drama over the condition of the pitch and outfield, both of which apparently left the visitors unhappy and threw their preparations for the Test series against England haywire.
However, an Essex representative maintained that the Indian team “was happy with practice facilities”, attributing the curtailment on the hot prevalent conditions owing to the current heat wave in the United Kingdom.
RUGGED OUTFIELD
Asked about the rugged outfield and whether that could have been a reason to reduce the game, the representative declined to comment.
“Essex Cricket and the England & Wales Cricket Board have agreed, at the request of the BCCI management team, that the scheduled tourist match between Essex and India will now be played over three days,” the county said in a statement.
The Indian team management took this decision during this afternoon’s net practice after having a look at the pitch.
India coach Ravi Shastri was seen having an animated discussion with the local officials after getting a glimpse of the grassy pitch and a barren outfield that can cause injury while fielding.
The rest of the Indian support staff, including assistant coach Sanjay Bangar and bowling coach Bharat Arun also took stock of the conditions and were seen having discussions with the ground staff.
Given that it is not a classified first-class match, it is confirmed that the Indian team will be using all 18 members of their Test squad.
A senior member of the ground staff said “all requests of the Indian team management have been accepted”.
When pressed if that included “shaving off the grass”, he simply said, “We have bent over backwards to accommodate the Indian team management’s demands.
“It is disappointing though because we had sold a lot of tickets for the fourth day (Saturday).”
However, Essex made it clear that spectators who had purchased tickets for the final day’s play on Saturday will be refunded in full.
Another reason for the Indian team management’s displeasure was that the two nets’ pitches were completely bald in comparison to the match wicket, which had a healthy green top.