I did not see any link existing already. here it is
First report on the pitch from Aussie press
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24464121-2882,00.htmlAuthor: John Pirek
AUSTRALIA'S fast bowlers were given a shot of adrenalin yesterday when they were greeted by a pace-friendly Bangalore pitch.
The Aussies could not believe their eyes when they arrived at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to find the Test strip for tomorrow's series opener was rock hard, shiny and set to offer plenty of bounce.
Spirits, after a shaky start to the tour, were also lifted by the damp and overcast weather as Bangalore comes to the end of its monsoon season.
While there is little grass on the wicket, the conditions are perfect for seam bowling and will help the frontline attack of Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson.
New Zealand has suddenly become the team's best friend for delivering a wicket "which will help fast bowling" and negate Australia's spin-bowling crisis.
"It reminds me of the WACA," Kiwi curator Phil Stoyanoff said yesterday. "It's been rolled and rolled in the past week and is really firm. It has a lovely sound to it."
Cracks have already begun to appear but Stoyanoff was adamant they would not break up, which is bad news for India's hopes of spinning out Australia through Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
"I have no worries about the cracks," Stoyanoff said.
Stoyanoff, the curator at the Napier Test venue in New Zealand, was summoned to India to prepare a quality strip.
Clark and Johnson had expected a "typically dusty, brown Indian wicket" but were buoyed to discover they would be given plenty of assistance in the series opener.
"It looks all right. I was expecting powder puffs," a happy Clark said as he inspected the deck.
History should also have Australia optimistic of victory as the tourists won in Bangalore in 1998 and 2004, while India has not won at the ground since 1995.
While his teammates trained yesterday, Michael Clarke was forced to rest at the team hotel because of an upset stomach. Team management insisted he was not in doubt for the Test.
Stoyanoff's handywork has also lifted the pressure off Cameron White, a batting allrounder suddenly with the responsibility of being the front-line spinner.
White is all but certain to play because of the tour-ending armpit injury to Bryce McGain and the terrible form of Jason Krejza.
The Bushrangers skipper arrives in good form, having claimed five wickets in the Top End one-day series against Bangladesh in August and another eight for Australia A on its recent one-day tour of India.-
White admitted he was nervous amid the controversy over his selection ahead of New South Wales left-arm spinner Beau Casson.
"It does to be honest. A little bit daunting," he said. "Probably a little bit nervous at the moment."
Building pressure by containing India's batsmen will be the blueprint for success for Australia's bowlers.
Clark said he would try and follow the lead set by Glenn McGrath and company on the victorious 2004 tour.
"We have looked at footage and things like that. We have seen how they were successful and what they did," he said.
"There is no great big secret to that. It's hard work and being very patient and not letting our fast-bowling egos (wanting) to blast them out get in the way.
"It's now just a matter of going out there and trying to execute."
AuthorTopic: Ind vs Aus 2008 - Test 1 - Bangalore - Match Thread and articles (Read 15835 times)
