Both India and England were denied any preparation before the fifth and final Test match as Cyclone Vardah destroyed all the practices pitches at the Chepauk Stadium. The TNCA has expressed their regret as it was practically impossible to get the pitches in order in such a short time. Alastair Cook has already said that he would go into a Test match without any practice, and this would be a first in his 140 appearances so far.
However, Joe Root has no such qualms. The young batsman has taken to the roads instead of a regular pitch and is trying to get some vital practice. Root practised on a turf inside the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai which is next to the old nets of the stadium.
Also read: India's Predicted XI for the final Test match in Chennai
The recent cyclone has ravaged the Chidambaram Stadium and has destroyed everything ranging from the floodlights and the practice pitches to the sight-screens. Hence, both teams could only go through their fielding drills, until Root decided to take it upon himself to get into some sort of groove before the Test match.
Root was assisted by two of the team’s support staff which also included the throwdown expert. The road which was chosen was a smooth one and a turf ball was used. Generally, this is used by batsmen for practising their cross-batted strokes like the pull or hook. Root, however, decided to play some genuine cricketing strokes as he rose to his toes and cracked many backfoot punches through the covers.
The recent cyclone has turned the city upside down and many trees have been uprooted. The city is limping back to normalcy as many locals have now started to clear the mess strewn all across the roads. This comes even as the state was coming to terms with the untimely demise of their popular Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa. As a token of respect, the TNCA has requested both teams to wear black armbands during the Test match.
TNCA also informed that they would not be holding any facilitation ceremonies during the match as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
Hosts India lead the 5-match series 3-0 and would look to continue their dominance in the fifth and final Test match.
PR Viswanathan, who is BCCI's south zone curator is in charge of proceedings and he has already used two trays full of burning coal to dry the pitch which was under covers for almost 4 days. All in all, this Test match is being played amidst a lot of strife, and thus the curators and the TNCA should be given a lot of credit for making it possible.
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