Steve Rixon sees India a tough opposition in home conditions

Australians have reached India with full preparations. Including a couple of specialist spinners, the Aussies have selected a balanced side for the crucial four-match Test series against the Men in Blue.

The Kangaroos are in top form at the moment. After hammering Sri Lanka, the Michael Clarke-led did well against West Indies, and won the ODI series.

Seven Aussie players have reached India slightly before the series in order to adapt to the conditions. Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Steve Rixon, who is currently working as Australia’s fielding coach, has admitted that Team India will prove a tough
opposition in the upcoming series.

"We have played a lot of cricket over the Australian summer and are in good shape at the moment. Saturday will be a physical day of training and Sunday will be devoted to strategizing for the first warm-up match," said Rixon.

Ahead of the important series, the Aussies will play a couple of warm-up games. On the other hand, the Indians are also fully prepared after playing domestic cricket. The first Test is scheduled to be played at Chennai.

Rixon, who is also working with Chennai Super Kings, has praised the fielding facilities in the city. He shared: "Chennai is like a second home for me. I love the city and the facilities here are very good. The boys are happy being in Chennai and are grateful
to the locals, who bend over backwards to help us out."

Australia’s move of sending players in groups has come under criticism. But Rixon has admired this step, saying that it is better to send player as early as possible in order to give them an opportunity to get an idea about the conditions.

Rixon reasoned, "It is an advantage to come as early as we can and adapt to the pitches and the lifestyle. India is a very tough side to deal with in home conditions and we need as much preparation as possible."

"Look mate, we are not going to get a green seamer. There will be a little pace on Day 1 but should be advantageous to the spinners. At least, the pitches in India are not as bad as the ones we get in Sri Lanka! There are no big ragging wickets here."

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=38094

Posted by Rana Nasir Ghafoor on Feb 9 2013. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry