KOLKATA — England fast bowler Steven Finn is “on track” to be available for the third Test against India tomorrow, despite not bowling in the nets on Sunday.
Report by BBC Sport
A thigh injury has kept Finn out of the series so far, which is level at 1-1, but was due to bowl yesterday as planned. Meanwhile, 83-year-old Eden Gardens groundsman Prabir Mukherjee says the Test will be played on a “used wicket”.
India captain Mahendra Dhoni reportedly asked for the pitch in Kolkata to help the spinners from the first day.
Dhoni’s request was described by Mukherjee as “immoral” which led to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) calling in another groundsman to “assist” Mukherjee — a move which led to him announcing he was going on a month’s sick leave.
But Mukherjee, who has been the groundsman at Eden Gardens for 20 years, was back at the ground in Kolkata on Sunday stating that any differences had been “sorted out”.
The pitch was used for a domestic Ranji Trophy game two weeks ago which ended in a tight draw.
India have scored more than 600 in their last three Tests in Kolkata , winning two and drawing one, but it is thought Dhoni is keen to have a result wicket.
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Test Match Special analyst and former England spinner Vic Marks said the bowlers’ footprints on the way to the crease were still clearly visible, but did not anticipate the ball turning quite as much as it did in Mumbai, where England’s spinners outperformed their Indian counterparts to help the tourists seal a 10-wicket win and level the four-Test series.
England batsman Jonny Bairstow says he expects no issues with the pitch.
“It looks all right, it looks good. It’s obviously a pitch the Indians have prepared like the last two Tests,” said Bairstow.
