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Mind Games Begin! Australia will win Test series on 'fair Indian wickets', claims Ian Healy

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Australia cricketer Ian Healy has kicked off the Aussie tactic of playing mind games.

By Mykhel Staff
australia cricket team

Melbourne, Feb 2: The age-old Australian tactic of playing mind games ahead of any important series has begun as Pat Cummins-led side arrives on the Indian shores.

The Aussies - who call India the final frontier - will lock horns with Team India in the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting February 9 in Nagpur.

Days after star Australia batter Steve Smith revealed that his team didn't decide to play a tour game ahead of the series because they'll get to play on a completely different pitch in the Tests, former Australia cricketer Ian Healy has played the 'rank-turner' tune.

Aussies begin 'fair-unfair pitch' debate

The former Aussie cricketer claimed the hosts will have an upper hand if the tracks are rank turners but Australia will win on 'fair' pitches. Australia, who haven't won a Test series in India since 2004, will also play in New Delhi (February 17-21), Dharamsala (March 1-5) and Ahmedabad (March 9-13).

"I think if they produce fair Indian wickets, that are good batting wickets, to start with, (that) probably spin and spin pretty consistently but spin a long way, late in the match ... we (Australia) win," Healy said on 'SENQ Breakfast'.

"I'm worried about (Mitchell) Starc and (Nathan) Lyon in the first Test ... if they're unfair wickets which I've seen in the last series, where balls were jumping ridiculously and sliding down low from day one, I think India play those conditions better than us," he added.

Aussie not to play practice games in India

Australia have decided not to play a single tour game in India during the month-long Test series, primarily due to the hosts serving up green tops for practice matches and spinning tracks for the actual games. Healy advised the less-experienced Australian players to soak in the pressure and not commit any fielding lapses.

steve smith

"I want the players to be very aware if they are escaping that pressure (from the locals) if you're escaping that pressure and hiding in your room using the golf simulator... I think you've got to do something else," he said.

"That's an escape, you shouldn't be doing it, you're dodging, just be very aware of what you are feeling at any given time. Immerse yourself before you really get to deploy your technique... don't drop catches, fielding can be difficult over there.

"What happens in India, to get ten wickets, you'll only get ten chances, whereas in Australia with bounce, carry and speed you can create 13 chances and you can waste a couple... but they don't come along as easy in India.

"I just think they have to live and breathe that pressure and have a philosophy over there."

(With PTI inputs)

Story first published: Thursday, February 2, 2023, 19:06 [IST]
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