Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 says Australia ready for challenging conditions – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday, December
26, 2011.
The wicket in Melbourne is expected to have some grass on it, which will make life difficult for the batsmen. However, the hosts do not seem to be bothered about that and are confident of doing well against the Men in Blue.
Australia have not been playing consistently over the past few months, especially on the wickets which have assistance for the seamers.
Clarke took over as captain of the team after the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 on Asian soil.
However, the 30-year-old had to work extremely hard as a player and leader of the team on the South African tour.
The Aussie batsmen struggled to score runs on lively pitches and were bowled out for 47 runs in the second innings of the Cape Town Test. They also failed to make runs on a green top wicket in Australia during a match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 recently.
This led to speculations that the Kangaroos would prefer preparing batting friendly wickets against India. However, the wicket at MCG will have support for the bowlers, which will make things interesting.
Commenting on the playing conditions in the Boxing Day Test, Clarke said, “I make no bones about it, we've had extra time as a batting unit because we know we've got to get better at facing the new ball if there's a bit in the wicket. We want to improve.
We want to get better in that department of our game as batters. We've done the work though. That's all I can ask any of the boys for.”
He further went onto say, “I think it's important if we bat first that we play our natural game. I think you have the confidence to back your own ability.”
On the other hand, the Indian bowlers are also looking forward to troubling the opposition on a lively pitch. However, their batsmen will not be much happy to see grass on the wicket.
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