Australia v India: ICC dispatch head pitch inspector to examine SCG surface ahead of semi-final

The ICC dispatched their official pitch inspector to the SCG on Monday, as tension builds over what surface Australia will confront spin kings India.

Head groudsman Tom Parker with Andy Atkinson from ICC check the pitch at the SCG ahead of World Cup Semi Final between Australia and India. pic. Phil Hillyard

The ICC dispatched their official pitch inspector to the SCG on Monday, as tension builds over what surface Australia will confront spin kings India on in Thursday’s World Cup semi-final.

Sydney’s famous 22-yards of turf was being treated like a crime scene, as Essex-born Andy Atkinson, the governing body’s chief pitch inspector, spent two or three lengthy sessions out in the middle in deep conversation with local curator Tom Parker.

Australia will go to battle with the sub-continental giants on the same strip where South Africa’s spinners destroyed Sri Lanka in last week’s Sydney quarter, raising question marks over whether the hosts will feel as though they’re away from home.

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Faulkner training in the SCG nets on Monday.

Even three days out from the match there is no grass on the wicket, and a well-placed source said India “wouldn’t be unhappy” with what they saw and expect the pitch could take some turn.

Australia’s players were publicly eager for some grass on the wicket to suit their seamers, while India are obviously keen for the pitch to remain as dry as a biscuit.

The Indian media have sensed a looming bun fight and have dubbed Atkinson “the arbitrator”.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of that and I haven’t seen the wicket. It’s Monday,” said Australian all-rounder James Faulkner about the presence of Atkinson.

“(India) have adapted well to the (Australian) conditions.”

Michael Clarke talks with former England captain Nasser Hussain on the SCG.

It’s understood Australia aren’t unhappy with what they see at this stage either.

However, they have lost some faith with their ability to read the SCG wicket, after a mixed-bag of surfaces this summer.

Australia were originally frustrated about the wicket for their group game against another sub-continental powerhouse — Sri Lanka — and even promoted frontline spinner Xavier Doherty to their XI as a result.

But after the two sides piled on nearly 700 runs for the match, the Australian players were praising the surface as an ideal one-day wicket.

“It was a great one-day wicket,” he said.

“If it’s much like that, I’m expecting a lot of runs scored.

“Against Sri Lanka, the wicket didn’t really spin and it was quite easy to get hold of.”

But even if the surface turns, Australia won’t be changing their XI come hell or high water.

“I don’t want to pre-empt the selection but it’d be hard to drop someone who just took four wickets,” said selector Mark Waugh, endorsing quick Josh Hazlewood on Fox Sports.

Australia will be hoping for some early movement, given India’s batsmen will like their chances of racking up a big score on a flat pitch.

Before Australia’s clash with Sri Lanka, the ground staff rolled grass clippings into the wicket to try and offer some grip for the opening bowlers.

Curator Parker is a veteran of almost 20 years and is his own man.

Atkinson refused to comment yesterday but has said previously he very rarely overrides the opinion of the local staff.

“I work in collaboration with the local ground staff,” he said pitchcare.com in an interview leading into the 2011 World Cup.

Virat Kohli heads to training at the SCG.

“I advise them and help them plan their work. I am not there to step on people’s toes but, if requested, I am happy to don shorts and get out on the field.

“In some cases the local curator runs the show. Others are happy for me to assume control for the duration.”

Regardless of the pitch, Australia are bracing for Thursday’s semi to feel somewhat like an away game.

More than 70 per cent of the sold out crowd are expected to be Indian supporters.

Faulkner says Australia got a taste of feeling like strangers on their own turf when India represented two thirds of the crowd for a rained out one-dayer back in January.

“We were talking about it last night at dinner, the last game we played here it definitely felt like (India were home),” he said.

“The passion the Indian fans show towards their cricket team is sensational, so we’re definitely expecting that come match day.”