Australia open to Shastri’s request for extra games

Cricket Australia yet to receive a formal request from BCCI

Cricket Australia has responded positively to India coach Ravi Shastri’s request for more warm-up matches ahead of their Test series Down Under later this year.

India only had one practice match ahead of their recent Test series against England — which they lost 1-4 — and Shastri believes his side would be better prepared to tackle Australia if more red-ball cricket was scheduled before the first Test in Adelaide starting on December 6. “We are happy to discuss options with the BCCI, but we have not received any formal notification to increase the number of tour matches before their series commencing in Australia,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson was quoted as saying.

In England, even the lone four-day practice match against county side Essex was reduced to three days amid high drama over the condition of the pitch and the outfield, both of which apparently left the visitors unhappy.

On Thursday, Shastri said he was not averse to the idea of playing practice games.

“Absolutely not. Why would we be? You can only see the results (in the England Tests). Every time after the second Test we have improved. You can still get better. But why can’t we be in that position in the first Test match?,” he was quoted as saying.