The Australians intended to use the Nagpur pitch for additional practice, but the Vidarbha Cricket Association groundstaff watered the surface...
Digital Desk: When it comes to the Nagpur pitch, Australia appears to be in excruciating pain.
According to Cricket.com.au, the Australian team management intended to utilise the Nagpur surface for further practice after the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy series concluded in three days.
However, their strategy was foiled when Vidarbha Cricket Association groundstaff irrigated the surface after the play.
"A member of the VCA Stadium groundstaff was seen hosing down the pitch after the Australians left the VCA Stadium on Saturday afternoon, not long after India had closed up an innings victory in three days," Cricket Australia reported.
"While washing the wicket square after a Test is not uncommon, the Australians had requested that the pitch be left intact to give their misfiring top-order important extra practise the following afternoon."
On Radio Station SEN, Australia coach Andrew McDonald stated that they had a prearranged workout after the match ended early.
After the game, Australia captain Pat Cummins bemoaned his team's inability to score more than 177 in the first innings after opting to bat.
"Playing spinners was always going to be difficult," Cummins revealed.
"The wicket swirled wasn't terrible (in the first innings). We should have scored another 100 runs to put additional pressure on their first inning. Todd Murphy was amazing (with the ball), added Cummins."
The second of four Tests begins in New Delhi on Friday.
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