Former wicketkeeper Ian Healy believes Australia can win the upcoming four-match Test series in India if the hosts prepare “fair pitches”.

“I think if they produce fair Indian wickets, that are good batting wickets, to start with, (that) probably spin and spin pretty consistently but spin a long way late in the match … we (Australia) win,” Healy said on ‘SENQ Breakfast’.

And if the wickets are “unfair”? “...if they’re unfair wickets which I’ve seen in the last series, where balls were jumping ridiculously and sliding down low from Day I, I think India play those conditions better than us,” Healy said.

Australia have decided not to play a single tour game in India during the Test series, primarily due to the hosts serving up green tops for practice matches and spinning tracks for the actual games.

Healy advised the less-experienced Australian players to soak in the pressure and not commit any fielding lapses.

“I want the players to be very aware if they are escaping that pressure (from the locals), if you’re escaping that pressure and hiding in your room using the golf simulator… That’s an escape, you shouldn’t be doing it, you’re dodging. Immerse yourself before you really get to deploy your technique… don’t drop catches, fielding can be difficult over there.

“What happens in India, to get 10 wickets, you’ll only getten chances, whereas in Australia with bounce, carry and speed you can create 13 chances and you can waste a couple. I just think they have to live and breathe that pressure and have a philosophy over there.”

Australia haven’t won a Test series in India since 2004.

Written with inputs from PTI

Recovery ‘on track’

Jonny Bairstow. File picture

London: England middle-order batsman Jonny Bairstow’s chances of being a part of the team for the home Ashes (in June-July) have brightened as his recovery from a freak injury is on the “right track”.

Bairstow had broken his leg and dislocated his ankle when he slipped on a golf course last September, which forced him out of the T20 World Cup in Australia and the subsequent Test tour of Pakistan.

“It (the leg) is improving. We’re on the right track. We’re now about four-and-ahalf months post it (the injury) happening,” Bairstow said at the Marylebone Cricket Club ‘spirit of cricket’ panel on Wednesday.

Bairstow had broken his fibula in three places, which required surgical intervention.

PTI