It's pretty cold and we do not face such conditions even in Delhi, Ishant said.
If the first two Tests have been graced by good sunshine, the third Test starting tomorrow will be a much different affair. At this time of the year, Wellington's Basin Reserve is infamous for being very cold and ferociously windy. To top it off, it rained a bit yesterday.
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Ishant Sharma (right) was feeling the cold during India's training in Wellington yesterday. pic/afp |
The Indian team is finding it difficult to get proper practice with such tormenting weather. Pacer Ishant Sharma is used to the cold winters in Delhi but that pales in comparison according to the fast bowler.
"It's pretty cold and we do not face such conditions even in Delhi," Ishant said.
Skipper MS Dhoni played football, frisbee and rugby before a batting stint in the nets. Afterwards he said, "I will take the call on Friday morning whether to play or not. I'm facing some problems while keeping."
As far as the Indian team is concerned, there is a big question mark on Dhoni's availability and the fielding.
Tendulkar in all probability will not stand in the slips. Yuvraj Singh will fill in for him. Due to the really cold weather, it was difficult to hold the catches. The catches are bound to come behind the stumps so slip catching will definitely play a key role in this Test. The Indian team attended a dinner in the High Commissioner's House at Wellington in the evening where coach Gary Kirsten said, "We will do everything we can to make sure Dhoni plays."
Fatigued Kiwis Brendon McCullum, the NZ wicketkeeper, was behind stumps for 275 overs at a stretch during the Napier Test.
But for him, the main concern is the fatigue of the bowlers.u00a0 "Think about the bowlers who bowled so many overs," McCullum told MiD DAY.
Pacer Chris Martin said, "Of course we are tired, but it doesn't happen very often. We have to accept it."
Former India coach John Wright believes the bowlers will have the last laugh in this match and was supported by Kirsten. "Batting is no problem, but getting 20 wickets is a key factor," said Kirsten.
