Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy has said there is diminishing trust between cricketing nations and it’s evident in the way touring teams are being denied quality preparation ahead of major Test series. The legendary gloveman suggested that Pat Cummins-led Australia not playing a tour game in India is down to the lack of trust in the facilities provided by the home team.
Australia will arrive in India on January 31 for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy – a 4-Test series from February 9. However, the visitors will not play a tour game in India and instead have a 4-day training camp in Alur, Bengaluru. Australia also had a 2-day ‘spin camp’ in Sydney before departing for India.
“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,” Healy told SEN Radio on Monday.
“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.”
“Our focus in cricket has shifted from creating opportunities and experiences for our best up and coming cricketers… now we deny touring teams quality preparation before very highly anticipated series and I don’t like it.
“It’s disappointing to watch such dismantling of trust between cricket’s nations and it needs to stop,” he added.
