Australia captain Ricky Ponting appeared unhappy with the umpires' decision to call off play because of bad light after only 11 overs were bowled on the first day of the fourth Test in Mumbai on Wednesday.
As Indian batsmen Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar walked back to the pavilion after being offer the light, he was seen deliberating with the umpires about their decision. Coach John Buchanan though was a little sympathetic towards the Indian batsmen.
"The light was pretty bad all day. Normally, when you put the lights on, it improves. But here it created some problems; the area over the bowlers arm was a problem and the red ball is difficult to spot in that background," he said after the day's play.
Asked whether, given the conditions, Australia would have elected to field had they won the toss, Buchanan said it would have been the captain's call.
"I haven't spoken to Ricky about it. But the normal strategy when you win a toss is to bat, no matter what the conditions, so that obviously you can bowl last," he said.
The pitch had been subject of discussion for the past couple of days, but looked fearsome when the Australians bowled in the afternoon, when play got underway.
"The pitch had something to offer for the fast bowlers; but it was a new ball. No matter where you go the wicket will provide some assistance on the first day and with the new ball. When the rains intervened, obviously, it settled down pretty well for our bowlers.
"But we can judge the wicket only when we have a full day's play. The days are getting longer; there will be 98 overs for the rest of the days. So it will be interesting to see how the wicket holds up for the whole day," opined Buchanan.
He added that it would have been difficult to include Brett Lee in the side even if the overcast conditions of the first day suited the bowlers.
"We have been tempted to play Brett Lee throughout the tournament, not just this match. As we have said, the bowlers are doing pretty well and we would not like to disturb the combination. It is difficult to find room for Brett in this line-up."
On the decision to give off-spinner Nathan Hauritz the baggy green cap ahead of leg-spinner Cameron White, as Shane Warne's replacement, Buchanan said: "Nathan is a better spinner. Cameron is more a batsman-bowler. Nathan has bowled a lot in the domestic competitions and is a more experienced bowler. Also, we think if we have to work through a line-up in these conditions, Nathan is a better choice."
Warne, White and Brad Hodge returned to Australia by an afternoon flight from Mumbai.
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