Cricket: Claims of pitch party on eve of third test

An Indian news channel shows images of people sitting on the Waca pitch. Photo / Times Now

An Indian news channel has claimed ground staff held a party on the WACA pitch last night, just hours ahead of the third test between Australia and India in Perth today.

Times Now claims "30-40 people" stood and sat on the playing strip which will be used in the test, a violation of ICC rules.

The news channel showed footage, acquired through an independent source, of up to a dozen people reportedly holding beer bottles and talking.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports it is a tradition that WACA ground staff have a drink on the ground before a test match, however walking on the pitch so close to a test is taboo.

Times Now says it was "an outright insult to the game".

"A complete party going on in the middle of the square," a news reporter claims.

"Clear violations of ICC rules which does not let anyone except captains and team coaches on the actual playing surface".

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the footage has been shown to members of the Indian touring party.

BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla told Times Now that Cricket Australia must look into the allegations.

"It is a serious matter and the Australian cricket Board should look into it, It is the responsibility of the host cricket Board to maintain the wicket. It is their prime responsibility," Shukla said.

Shukla said the BCCI will wait on a report from Indian team management before any further action is taken.

Meanwhile Australian skipper Michael Clarke will inspect the pitch this morning before deciding whether to retain a spinner for the third test.

Clarke and the fellow members of Australia's five-man selection panel are toying with the idea of unleashing a four-pronged pace attack on what is expected to be a fast and bouncy WACA wicket.

Should Clarke opt to stick with spinner Nathan Lyon, the only change to the side would be the inclusion of fit-again paceman Ryan Harris for James Pattinson (foot).

But left-armer Mitchell Starc will be thrust into the XI if Australia decide a spinner is surplus to needs on a green WACA deck.

India are also weighing up whether to go in with an all-out pace attack, leaving spinner Ravi Ashwin with a nervous wait.

But WACA curator Cameron Sutherland has warned both sides not to read too much into the green nature of the pitch.

"It's a high-fibre content in the leaves, so it just holds its colour for longer,'' Sutherland said.

"It's very fine leaf, it's almost like a carpet, so it doesn't seam too much.

"In Shield cricket, I know we've been referred to having green seamers or green-top Shield wickets, but they haven't seamed around much at all.''

Australia lead India 2-0 in the four-match series, but the visitors have promised to hit back after a lethargic showing in the first two Tests.

And after going 10 months without a ton, Indian great Sachin Tendulkar will be aiming to notch his 100th international century during the third Test.

- HERALD ONLINE/AAP