New Delhi, Oct 7 (NationPress) Former Test captain Tim Paine, who served as the head coach for the Australia A program in Lucknow and Kanpur, asserts that the recent tour of India has equipped the nation's rising cricketers with invaluable experience beneficial for future Test matches in the subcontinent. The India 'A' unofficial ODI series against Australia A concluded with a score of 2-1. Paine emphasized that the series offered cricketers experiences that are “priceless” as they navigated extreme heat, unfamiliar pitches, and a distinct style of play.

“It’s been an incredible experience for this young group of Australian cricketers to perform under these challenging conditions,” Paine remarked. “The heat, especially yesterday, presented challenges these players don’t often face. For a young group to experience this prior to competing in a Test match here is invaluable.”

“In the first match, on a relatively flatter wicket, our players showcased typical Australian batting with power and boundaries. However, the Indian team approached their batting differently, focusing on ones, twos, and manipulating the field. It was gratifying to see our players adapt in the second game and display versatility,” he continued.

Paine expressed optimism that this tour would be crucial in preparing this group for significant future challenges in the subcontinent.

“International cricket is incredibly tough, and these foreign conditions add another layer of difficulty. It’s unrealistic to expect someone to succeed in their first Test match here. That’s why tours like this are vital. This series has been a great success, and we hope it yields results by 2027,” said the former wicketkeeper, who has played 35 Tests.

The harsh conditions even challenged some of Australia’s fittest young athletes. Campbell Kellaway, a Victorian batter deemed one of the fittest prospects in Australian cricket, found the north-Indian climate to be a significant hurdle.

“Campbell Kellaway is a prime example - he is dedicated to training at high intensity but has experienced days here where he lost seven or eight kilos and felt completely drained. Understanding that he cannot prepare in the same manner in these conditions will be crucial for his return in 2027,” remarked Paine.

Paine was also impressed by India’s unique approach to player development, noting the variety of pitches available for diverse learning experiences.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to learn on both red clay and black clay pitches. The subtle differences between these pitch types require varying skill sets and approaches. Many of our players were unaware that multiple types of clay exist, each playing differently,” he noted.

The contrasting surfaces have posed significant challenges.

“We’ve been fortunate to play on the red clay wickets at Ekana Sports City, which are not available in Australia. Their dryness, spin, and bounce have posed real challenges for our batting group. For our fast bowlers, the extreme heat during three or four-over spells has tested their endurance in ways they don’t experience in Australia or English conditions.”