ANZ Stadium is on the verge of hosting its inaugural international match, yet both Australia and India are dissatisfied with the training conditions at the Sydney venue.
Upon arriving at the ground on Monday morning, India’s coach, Duncan Fletcher, expressed his frustration upon finding the stadium’s practice wickets were still wet.
An intense confrontation occurred between him and Les Burdett, the former curator of Adelaide Oval, who was tasked with getting the drop-in wicket ready for the first Twenty20 international scheduled for the following night.
In response, India requested to relocate their Tuesday training session to the Sydney Cricket Ground. The SCG Trust, competing with ANZ Stadium, ultimately agreed to allow the Indian team to utilize their facilities while also needing to accommodate the Australian side.
Australia shared the Indians’ concerns regarding the training conditions and on Monday night decided not to train at ANZ Stadium either.
On Monday, the Australians practiced at the SCG and initially intended to use ANZ Stadium for their Tuesday session before backing out, although the switch had not been confirmed by Monday night.
This situation poses a setback for both the stadium and Cricket NSW, which are eager to secure major World Cup matches at the venue.
Describing the situation as a “storm in a tea cup,” Cricket NSW chief executive Dave Gilbert stated, “I spoke with Les Burdett, who mentioned that the Indians arrived at 9am, and the wickets were not prepared, which is quite early for training, and generally, most wickets will still be a bit moist at that hour.”
“Due to the recent rain, they were somewhat damp; however, by mid-morning, the Indian team was able to do throw downs, and by session’s end, they had moved to regular batting and bowling drills,” he added.
Burdett pointed out that the practice wickets in the western corner were the main issue.
“While the center pitch dried out nicely, those in the pocket area don’t receive enough sunlight or airflow, causing them to retain more moisture,” he explained.
“There were some apprehensions on the part of the Indians. I had a discussion with Duncan Fletcher; he comprehended the situation but was understandably disappointed. He was hoping for firmer pitches, but given the weather conditions and the recent rainfall, we couldn’t provide that.”
Burdett assured that the match pitch appeared to be in good condition.
“I doubt this one will present any issues,” he commented.
“While I wouldn’t suggest playing on it today, it will certainly be ready for tomorrow, thus providing us a timely buffer in case of bad weather.”
Burdett emphasized the significance of ANZ Stadium as a multi-purpose venue for the future of Australian cricket.
“The more we can utilize our stadiums, the better it is for everyone involved. It’s a straightforward conclusion,” he remarked.
ANZ Stadium also faces criticism from AFL teams due to its inconsistent playing surface.
On Monday, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire criticized the surface, calling it the worst in the league.
Buford Balony says: What a shock, the Indians voicing complaints about facilities that are soooo amazing in India, comparable to the quality of their cricket team. Also, what a predictable move by Eddie to get involved, as he mirrors the Indian equivalent in Australia, a chronic complainer who never seems to stop.
