Border furious at slow MCG pitch for touring Indians

Sydney, Dec 8 (UNI) Former Aussie captain Allan Border is furious that the pitch at the MCG, the venue of the first Test on Boxing Day against visiting Indians looks like a 'sub-continental' track rather than a normal Australian bouncy surface.

Batsmen struggled to score on the slow wicket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Victoria's Pura Cup clash with New South Wales this week.

''What we need is to prepare wickets that suit our cricket rather than the Indians,'' Border was quoted as saying by Herald Sun.

''If it is slow and low the Indians really come into the contest.

They like that sort of surface. That is the worrying thing for me.

You should try and get a bit more bounce, it doesn't have to be sideways movement, then it will suit our cricket.'' Former Test batsman Darren Lehmann said as India normally prepares turning tracks for their home matches, Australia should also stick to their strength -- offering the Indians bouncy tracks in Australia.

''It would be nice to have a fast track as when we go to India the tracks turn square from day one,'' Lehmann said.

He said conditions at the MCG could mean fast bowler Shaun Tait could miss out the Test.

''He is bowling the fastest of any bowler I have ever seen but if reports about the docile pitch are true you will need some variation,'' Lehmann said.

MCG curator Tony Ware this week indicated he would attempt to instil ''more pace'' for the Boxing Day Test.

Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said he would reserve judgment on the Melbourne surface until closer to the Test.

UNI