Australia reach UAE early for Pak series, a lesson for India
India’s preparedness for an overseas tour has been repeatedly questioned in recent times. With their next big series in Australia later this year, India would do well to take a cue from their rivals.
Australia have reached Dubai two weeks in advance to prepare for the two-Test series against Pakistan. With the mercury soaring above 41 degrees Celsius, the new-look Australia Test squad is getting used to extreme desert heat ahead of the first Test that begins on October 7. They will play a tour match against Pakistan A, starting September 29.
On Sunday, Australia coach Justin Langer oversaw the first training session of his team. Australia have won only one Test series in eight attempts in Asia over the past decade and will be looking to improve that record.
“We’ve been talking about the way we want to play and how we want to go about preparing and being the best prepared team, especially for overseas tours like the UAE. It’s about being as well prepared as possible,” opener Matthew Renshaw was quoted as saying in cricket.com.au.
“It’s going to be tough at times, there’s going to be a few hot days. But if we are mentally prepared for this weather better than what this Pakistan team is, we’ll go a long way to winning this Test series.”
NEW DELHI:
India’s 1-4 thrashing to England had sparked criticism of India’s lack of preparation. India’s only tour match ahead of five Tests, a four-day practice game against county side Essex, was also reduced to three days as the Indian team was not happy with the pitch and the outfield.
While coach Ravi Shastri has spoken about the need to have a couple of warm-up games in Australia before the Tests, captain Virat Kohli believes playing tour matches against weaker teams may not serve any purpose.
Going by India’s cramped international calendar, the team will hit the Australian shores just a week before the start of the T20 series. India’s home series against the West Indies ends on November 11 and they play the first Twenty20 at Gabba on November 21.
India will have to utilise the 10-day gap between the end of third T20 on November 25 and the start of first Test in Adelaide Oval on December 6.
For the series against South Africa, India reached eight days before the start of the Test series. The team was originally scheduled to play a practice game but it was cancelled as the side chose to focus on training sessions. India eventually lost the Test series 2-1. After the loss, the focus was back on preparation but planning for the England series was no better.
It’s about time India gets the act right when it comes to preparation for overseas tours, beginning with Australia.