Peter Lalor writes in the Australian about India’s tired squad of players as they prepare to face Australia in the first Test on Boxing Day. The batsmen are also trying different techniques to adapt to the conditions.
The Indians have not seen a ball bounce above the knee roll for months, but the big-hitting Yuvraj Singh has been recalled to the side and has found a novel way of preparing for Australian pitches. "Right now, I am practising with hard plastic and synthetic balls in order to get used to the pace and bounce of the Australian tracks.”
Jon Pierik speculates in the Courier-Mail that Australian players could be warned against joining the Indian Premier League because of organisational chaos.
Just three months before the tournament promising players millions of dollars is to be held, the eight Indian franchises have yet to be sold and players have yet to see their full contracts, let alone agree to terms and conditions. Players are also concerned that team bases and venues have yet to be finalised.
In the New Zealand Herald David Leggat talks to Daniel Vettori, who is pleased the IPL payments have been released. "Now we don't have to have all the subterfuge about it.”
