Can't remember being unsure of pitch two days ahead of Test: Smith

Ever since Australia landed in India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the talks surrounding the pitch and the conditions on offer have been at the forefront. 

After their thumping nine-wicket win in Indore, the pitch for the fourth Test in Ahmedabad has yet again been in focus, with Australian skipper Steve Smith stating he has no idea about the wicket to be used for the final game. 

"There might have been a couple of pitches prepared, maybe a bit longer out than two days, but I can't remember two days," Smith said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. 

The groundstaff have prepared two strips for the game, one with black soil, which is a lot drier and one with red soil which has a tinge of green. 

The staff at the venue worked extensively on the black soil wicket, suggesting it might be the one that the Test match would be played on starting Thursday, March 9. 

"I didn't go out and have a look in the afternoon, but Alex Carey did. It looked completely different, a lot drier in the afternoon. It's very hot here, 37 degrees, which gives it a chance to dry out, and I think that the cover was on for a bit today," Smith said. 

"So they're potentially worried that it's drying out too much. It certainly changed in a few hours. Having a look today, we'll be able to potentially see what it's going to do," he further added. 

With Australia having secured a place in the World Test Championship final later this year, Smith expects the lower order to contribute more with the bat heading into the marquee clash. 

"The tail is something we've spoken about, probably as batters they haven't contributed as much as we would have liked. That's been a big difference when you see someone like Axar, who has been incredibly difficult to get out. And in terms of our top six versus their top six, there's not a huge difference in averages for the series."

After having lost the first two Test matches, the home team have retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Smith insisted that a 2-2 draw in the series will be a massive achievement for the Aussie outfit. 

"I think it would be a huge achievement for this group, or any touring team, that comes here to India and wins two Test matches. Unfortunately, we weren't able to do it earlier in the series and give ourselves a chance to win, but to draw the series here would be a huge plus and positive," he concluded.