Former wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy has predicted a 2-1 win for India in the four-Test series against Australia beginning at Nagpur on February 9, provided the hosts don’t prepare “unreasonable wickets”.
The two side will play four Tests for the Border-Gavaskar trophy with the series extremely crucial for India, as the World Test Championship (WTC) final spot is at stake.
“They’ve (India) got a good team but I’m not too scared of their spinners unless they produce unreasonable wickets,” Healy was quoted as saying by SEN on Monday.
“If they produce unreasonable wickets like they did half the series last time (we won’t win), two wickets were just terrible, unfair, spinners jumping over your head on Day One.
“So that type of thing they will play better on than we will, but if they get flat wickets that India used to put out, nice flat batting wickets and bowlers have to work really hard, I think we can do it. But (my prediction is) 2-1 India, if (Mitchell) Starc’s unavailable in the first Test,” added Healy.
The Australian pace bowling stalwart is likely to miss the first Test against India due to a finger injury to his bowling hand which he sustained during the second Test against South Africa recently.
However, the legendary wicketkeeper is much more optimistic about Australia’s success in the Ashes.
The June-July fixture this year in England will be a great opportunity for Australia to test ‘Bazball’ — the term coined for the hosts’ positive and aggressive style of play under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
Healy predicted that Australia will win 3-1 provided the visitors don’t have any injury concerns. “Now Ashes, if we haven’t got any injuries in that bowling attack and we can play our top team, then 3-1 Australia. We’re going to really attack Bazball and put Bazball under pressure.
SA’s new coaches
Johannesburg: South Africa have named Rob Walter as their new head coach in limited overs cricket with Shukri Conrad to take over the Test team, officials confirmed on Monday.
Mark Boucher, who had been in charge across all formats, resigned following the recent T20 World Cup to take up a role in the IPL with the Mumbai Indians.
South African Walter has previously worked as a strength and conditioning specialist with the national team but spent the last seven years coaching in New Zealand domestic cricket. Conrad is an experienced head coach in South African domestic cricket and was most recently in charge of the national U-19 side.
He will have a light workload early in his tenure with South Africa scheduled to play just three more Tests in 2023. Both coaches take up their roles from February 1.
Reuters