Afp, Ahmedabad

India and England return to the scene of last week’s hotly debated two-day Test on Thursday with the hosts looking to secure a place in the World Test Championship final.

The first Test held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s biggest cricket venue, turned out to be one of the shortest in history as England were thrashed inside two days.

The result, which left India 2-1 up in the four-Test series and ruled England out of the world championship final, prompted accusations that the uber spin-friendly pitch was not up to standard.

The England team have largely stayed quiet during the controversy, and bowling coach Jeetan Patel said the tourists were looking for ways to repel India’s spin attack. “I expect this Test to be on a spinning wicket,” he told reporters. “We need to find a way, if we won the toss particularly, to put on a decent total first up. “

Spinner Jack Leach said there was more talk about the pitch in the media than in the England dressing room. “Still a hell of a lot for us to play for,” said Leach, who has 16 wickets in the first three Tests. “Obviously if we win this game we draw the series. I think that will be a massive effort over here and we should be really motivated to make that happen. In the dressing we are just trying to get better and be prepared for this next match,” added Leach.

AUSTRALIA RIGHT BEHIND ASHES FOES ENGLAND

Cheering on England is generally a low priority for Australia’s cricketers but Joe Root’s team can count on warm support from their Ashes foes during the fourth and final Test against India this week. An England win in Ahmedabad would put Australia in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) against New Zealand, knocking India out of the running. “Bit of self-interest there, isn’t it, for us following England for the first time in a long time. We’ll be hoping that they can do the job there,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reporters in Wellington on Tuesday.