Travis Head was asked about the suboptimal travel arrangements, forcing both Australia and South Africa to travel to UAE with one team returning, should they be slotted for the semis against NZ, the vice captain said, it was a tricky situation but one they would deal with.
Acknowledging the difference in conditions between Lahore and Dubai, with the scheduling boggling the team’s preparation, Head stressed they would keep their heads about the unique scenario. “We’ll watch the next couple of days, stay relaxed and then get to work. I guess there’ll be two different scenarios where it could be two different conditions,” he was quoted as saying by Fox Cricket.
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“Whether we go to Dubai and play there, which looks like it’s a little bit more difficult or more challenging pitch than is here (in Lahore). It’s a little bit more low-scoring. We’ll prepare as well as we can, so we’ll see how we go,” he added.
Earlier, South African batter Rassie van der Dussen had said the tournament scheduling gave India an effective home advantage without being the host nation, acknowledging the uneven playing field.
“If you can stay in one place, stay in one hotel, practice in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it’s definitely an advantage. I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that,” he had said straight-faced.
New Zealand effectively have the best scenario next to India, knowing when they have to play in sluggish Gulf conditions, with a certainty of travelling to Pakistan for their semis.