Chepauk to host the Australia's practice match ahead of the ODI series

The Australian team is scheduled to play a warm-up game ahead of their 5-match ODI series starting on September 17 which will be followed by the 3-match T20I series. The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the venue for the 1st ODI, will also host a practice match for the visitors on September 12. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) is rather forced to host this warm-up game at the ODI venue as the All India Buchi Babu Invitational Cricket tournament will be underway in the city across other major venues.

The tournament, which began on 2nd September is played across Chennai at the MRF Pachaiyappa’s Ground, TI Muragappa Ground, SSN College Ground and also the Guru Nanak college ground where the visiting Aussies played a warm-up game when they toured India in 2013 for the first of the 4-match Test series. The league games of the tournament will be wrapped up by 9th but the final is slated to be played on September 15 at the Guru Nanak college ground.

The TNCA decided to host the practice game at the Chepauk, which isn’t a part of the Buchi Babu tournament. They also planned to arrange the Australian team’s practice sessions at this venue to ensure the team has proper security during their 10-day stay in the city.

“The practice match on September 12 will be held at Chepauk. Whatever practice sessions or match which the TNCA is set to organise for the Australian team, who will be here for close to 10 days, will be at the Chepauk taking the security factor into consideration. It will be a day match,” A TNCA official told TOI.

No interference with the ODI pitch

The state association is also making necessary arrangements to ensure the pitch for the ODI isn’t disturbed during the warm-up game.

“We will use the adjacent pitches at the end of the box for practice match and ensure the actual wicket for the ODI isn’t disturbed. Also it’s Australia who are playing at Chepauk and not any other team. And there is enough time left to work on the wicket after the tour match,” the official added.