Perth: "Haven't you got a mail to shave off the pitch?" -- senior batsman Rahul Dravid asked the curator as the Indians assembled for their first practice session at the famed WACA ground ahead of the do-or-die third cricket Test against Australia starting on Friday.
WACA curator Cameron Sutherland has stated that the world's fastest pitch is likely to stay true to its nature and be a pacer's delight come Friday.
Sharma has generally bowled a little short in the first two Tests and has had a mere three wickets at a whopping average of 78.33.
Tendulkar repeatedly told the youngster to let his bowling arm finish by the side of his right thigh. The emphasis was to bowl deliveries which "kiss" the surface rather than hit-the-deck kind of stuff which sails past the bats harmlessly.
"You will keep bowling such stuff and batsmen will keep leaving them," was the clear message of Tendulkar.
Dravid was keen and eager at the nets, first handling the throw-downs from Trevor Penny and then facing Ishant Sharma, bowling at full tilt at him.
Quite a few times Penny would motion as if it is a throw-down and then not deliver -- only to gauge how Dravid had moved his bat and feet in anticipation. Apparently, Dravid didn't look quite pleased from where his bat is coming down to meet the delivery.
There is uncommon heat on VVS Laxman after his sixth failure in six Tests on foreign pitches. The senior batsmen understandably was bothered if his bat was meeting the ball with the full face and if his defence was watertight.
Once Ishant Sharma retired from the nets, after bowling an exhaustive spell, Zaheer Khan took over and allowed himself at least half an hour of bowl. Umesh Yadav, the youngest one of the pace trio, didn't stretch himself in the nets.
India face an ominous task to win the third Test and keep the four-match series alive which they are presently trailing 0-2.
© financialexpress
