Australia's Kane Richardson: Coach camped out here last night to see what time dew came in

Australian speedster Kane Richardson says coach Andrew McDonald "camped out" at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday night to check on dew as his players prepared to practice with wet balls. "Andrew McDonald camped out here last night to try and see what time dew came in. Who kws, everyone is guessing. I think everyone is prepared," Richardson said. "We're going to train today with some wet balls so we can practice that. We'll just wait and see on game day. It's thing new, we have dew back home as well."

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'Coach camped out here last night'

He said Virat Kohli-led Indians were favourites at home, calling his team underdogs for three-match ODI series, beginning here on Tuesday. second ODI will be played in Rajkot on January 17 and third in Bengaluru on January 19. "I think home team is always favourite. I think on back of last year, I think Finchy (Aaron Finch) has said team has ever won here back to back. It's going to be so hard," Richardson said. "India in India is always biggest challenge and after what happened last year y will be ready for it. Confidence is up but home team is always favourite. We are underdogs," he said ahead of a practice session.

Last year, Australia had made a spectacular comeback to record a 3-2 win in limited overs series in India. 28-year-old pacer, who has played 22 ODIs, also said playing in India, where grounds are smaller, is biggest challenge. "It's biggest challenge in white-ball cricket, coming over here and playing against India on surfaces over here. It's a lot different than Australia. ground sizes are a lot smaller than Australia, (and) mis-hits can often go for six. "It's something we have spoken a lot about. I think everyone in team has played here before, so it's thing new. Starting today we will figure out a plan to stop some of those guys. It will be a high-scoring contest I'm sure," added right-arm medium pacer.

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Australia are touring India with a four-pronged pace attack comprising Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, apart from Richardson. And fast-bowler says he is comfortable to be "next guy in". "It would be nice to take field with all three of m or a couple of m. I don't kw how it's going to pan out in terms of selection. I'm comfortable being that next guy in. "I have always spoken about if injuries or form happen being next guy in. So if I could take field with those guys it gives you a lot of confidence that hopefully when I come onto bowl re are two or three down early," he added.

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On a personal te, Richardson, who was in and out of playing XI during last World Cup, says that he made his way back into team by performing well. "I think it was just through performance on field. You can improve away from game all you want but I think it was just about performing. Big Bash last year after doing well got me back in fold and n injuries happened.  "And n try and be next guy in. Always try and stay on top of my game and improve but I'm back in this team because I performed at level below," pacer added.

Back home, bushfires have caused havoc, and fully aware of dam, Richardson said  he would like to make a difference by playing a match. "If re is a game, I kw in Adelaide y are doing a game for Kangaroo Island too (for fundraising). That would be awesome, hopefully, we can all be a part of it and make a difference," he said. Lastly, recalling aftermath of incident when all-rounder Marcus Stonis called him 'faggot' during a Big Bash League game, Richarsdon said, " learning has to be that it never happens again". 

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