Incredible numbers point to ODI run-fest

Australia will get no better chance to snap out of their current batting malaise when they take on India in a must-win clash on Sunday.

The tourists on Saturday held their only pre-match training session at Holkar Stadium in Indore, one of India's newest international venues and the home of cricket in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

The small boundaries and recent history at the ground suggest Sunday's third ODI, which Australia must win to keep the five-match series alive, will be high-scoring.

Named after the Holkar dynasty that ruled Indore in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, the 28,500-seat stadium hosted three Indian Premier League matches this year and gave up a total of 60 sixes as well as an average run rate of 9.37 an over.

Underlining the batting-friendly conditions, the third of those games saw Mumbai chase down a target of 199 in just 15.3 overs (at a run rate of 12.83) after Hashim Amla had smacked a 58-ball century for the Kings XI Punjab.

Holkar also witnessed a then ODI record score of 219 by Indian batting maestro Virender Sehwag in 2011 as the hosts tallied 5-418 against the West Indies.

And while two weeks of heavy rain in the commercial city of 2 million people has led to a spongey outfield, the six outfield practice pitches - three at deep cover and three at deep-midwicket to a right-hander facing bowling from the northern end - should quicken up the chase for boundaries.

"The wicket looks a very good wicket and obviously the boundaries are small as well so we'll probably see a high-scoring game," said Australia opener David Warner

"When you come to India they're generally very good batting wickets and there's no excuse."

The seasonal wet weather is not forecast to play a major role on Sunday as the Australians look to respond to Thursday's heavy defeat in Kolkata and the 0-2 series deficit.

Skipper Steve Smith slammed his batsmen after the loss at Eden Gardens, demanding an improved performance and an end to their regular batting collapses, particularly against spin.

Warner, who posted scores of 25 and 1 in the first two games, praised India’s bowlers but said the message from his skipper is clear.

"The batters have been disappointed with the results," Warner said.

"It was quite difficult in the first couple of overs in both games. From an opening batter's point of view, it was very hard to get any rhythm and they bowled an exceptional spell up front (in Kolkata) and got two early wickets.

"From there we had a partnership and the partnership didn't go on. Steve spoke about that to the guys that when we get in, we've got to be accountable to be there at the end."

The Indian Express has reported that 30 curators and 50 labourers have been called in to help prepare the ground, hosting just its sixth international match, which has been under heavy covers for most of the past fortnight due to rain.

And on Saturday, curator Samundar Singh Chauhan got his wish for a day of clear weather to allow him and his team to complete their work.

"There is lot of tension, sleepless too, and hope we get some time," he was quoted as saying on Friday.

"We are praying here for past few days. I need few hours of sunshine and no rain. I promise you match will happen. There are 80 odd boys who are working day in and out."

All tickets for the match reportedly sold out in just two hours after thousands queued overnight, as they had in Chennai for the first match of the series.

"Thousands of people, including women and young girls, queued up at the ticket counters after 10 last night as the ticket sale was scheduled to start from 10 am today," police superintendent Awadhesh Kumar Goswami told the Times of India on Tuesday.