'Dismantling of trust...' - Former Australian cricketer accuses India of changing nature of wickets in practice matches and main fixtures

India and Australia are gearing up hard for the upcoming full-fledged four-match Test series in February. Both teams will play the first of the four-match Test series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association in Nagpur on Thursday, the 9^th of February. Although how would it be possible that an India-Australia series is around the corner and there’re no controversial statements from either of the sides?

This time, former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healey has taken the charge first to blame India that they might change the nature of wickets in the main fixtures from the ones they provide in the practice matches and tour games. Healy also felt that it is one of the reasons the Australian side is avoiding any sort of tour games before the main event.

"We've gathered our spinners in Sydney for strategic talks (on replica India surfaces)… we no longer trust that the requested facilities will be provided for a nation." Said Healy to SEN Radio.

"We've been part of this shenanigan too by the way… when we're over (in England) we spend our time whinging about weakened County teams that England put up as our opposition before the series. "We've been part of this shenanigan too by the way… when we're over (in England) we spend our time whinging about weakened County teams that England put up as our opposition before the series,” he added later.

Subsequently, the 58-year-old also stressed the fact that this kind of attitude has brought a lack of trust between cricket-playing nations of late and it is something that should not be entertained anymore.

It's disappointing to watch the such dismantling of trust -  Ian Healy

"It's disappointing to watch the such dismantling of trust between cricket's nations and it needs to stop. Touring teams seem to all struggle these days and here we go again, we're going to India without a whole lot of Indian practice under our belts, let alone England later in the year where we haven't won since 2001,” added the veteran of 119 Tests for Australia.

"In India, they're (Australia) hoping everything will click and the squad freshens up with net practice… our coaching staff is content with this and I'll trust them for now. I would, however, like to see a tour match between the second and third Test in India… I'd love to see a three-day game so that our seven reserves (in the 18-man squad) we've got over there can have a good hit out," Healy concluded.