Test pitches not to be doctored

[Sir_Afridi]

The heavy rollers of the cricket turf management world have agreed not to "doctor" test pitches to suit home sides too much. Seventeen experts, including International Cricket Council bosses, and representatives from the 10 test nations and five associate members, held a two-day workshop in Dubai. A pressing topic was how far countries could go towards creating home advantage - after Indian accusations that Australian ground staff created overly green wickets last summer to cater for the hosts' superior pace bowling. New Zealand Cricket was represented at the workshop by grounds and facilities manager Ian McKendry. He says a compromise was reached on what are acceptable ICC pitch standards. "The consensus was that pitches in different climates still need to retain their uniqueness. It is a subjective business but pitches can't be blatantly doctored for a home team either." Test pitches were the main focus. McKendry says they're aiming to meet certain benchmarks to maintain international consistency and avoid accusations of bias. "The aim is to get an average of 30 runs per wicket. That way, there is something in the pitch for the batsman and the bowler. The last thing the ICC or national bodies want is for tests to be over inside three days or for an easy 350 runs to be chased down on the final day. "There needs to be a balance; like the tantalising prospect in Dunedin this summer when Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum were poised to chase down a gettable total [they needed 264 runs with eight wickets in hand to reach the target of 401] on the final day against South Africa before it was washed out. "In tests, we want pitches that support good contests, not batting paradises. That means good pace, bounce, carry, initial seam movement and even grass cover, but with a tendency to take turn on days four and five. "Variable bounce is also acceptable towards the end of a test. It's a good thing if pitches are not too dull or lifeless. That's vital in the longer form to keep people interested." In contrast, McKendry warns bowlers not to expect sympathy across the world in the shorter forms: "Twenty20 cricket remains all about batsmen hitting sixes and fours, while seam movement still has to remain minimal in one-day matches. The return to using a ball from either end during the 50 overs has helped balance that situation for bowlers." McKendry says the efforts of New Zealand groundsmen stacked up well against their counterparts: "I would say they're leading the cricketing world on innovation and versatility, especially when it comes to multi-purpose stadiums. Most other parts of the world, like Britain, the West Indies, Africa and the subcontinent, tend to work with cricket-specific grounds. There's the odd exception, like Melbourne's MCG, but Aussie Rules has a separate season whereas, in New Zealand, cricket and rugby often overlap."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cricket/ne...ectid=10798877

[Down2Earth]

both teams play on the same pitch, some need to stop crying

[MVP26]

Australian pitches were not that bad. Indians need to stop whining and just play the game.

[PakPrince]

thn what is the whole point of home advantage?

[Monsee]

Indians phirr ro rahaaay hain and trying to make the rest to of the world sympathize with them too...Indian batting was pathetic in England and Australia and pitches only played a small part in that

[James]

LMAO.

For decades, Indian cricket has been nullifying superior foreign bowlers with pancake pitches so India can have a chance of winning.

In the process of improving India's away record, it is up to the BCCI to encourage Indian cricketers to compete in more first-class competitions in Western countries and less silly T20 leagues in the subcontinent.

[90MPH]

Cry babies.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by James LMAO. For decades, Indian cricket has been nullifying superior foreign bowlers with pancake pitches so India can have a chance of winning.

Concur. They are the culprits, not the Aussies.

The only bouncy deck in Australia is at Perth - the rest are all flatties.

If Indians can't play the short ball, maybe they should look at their own coaching regimes.

[trogger]

Green pitches?

How on earth did clarke manage a quickly scored unbeaten triple ton on a greentop?

ICC, finally test pitches round the world have some life and they want to send it back to 600 plays 600 just because the Indians have no heart.

[James]

Actually the pitches in Australia have been more sporting of late. They're trying to find a way of winning a series in England

[speed]

melbourne was not a greentop a good pitch for both batsman and bowlers.

sydney flat patta still india flopped

adelade flattest pitch in Oceania still india flopped.

Perth was the only bouncy pitch as expected.

[khalil1986]

Originally Posted by James Actually the pitches in Australia have been more sporting of late. They're trying to find a way of winning a series in England

I'm sure they have won plenty already, maybe not in the recent past.

[Statsman]

So when the Aussies and Brits come back to tour us, we can't doctor the pitches?

[Watsupdoc]

This is stupid. Why shouldn't the home team have the home advantage?

[wrongun]

The drought Australia had for the last decade finally broke.

And instead we got floods.

Several states in Australia had their worst flooding in 30 years. It was a wet summer all around. rain didn't affect the Tests too badly luckily but groundstaff didn't always have a choice in the wickets they made. If it is wet for weeks (as it was in many states, including mine) then the wickets will be green.

[wrongun]

Originally Posted by speed melbourne was not a greentop a good pitch for both batsman and bowlers. sydney flat patta still india flopped adelade flattest pitch in Oceania still india flopped. Perth was the only bouncy pitch as expected.

fair assesment. Oz tracks have true, predictable bounce which makes batting once you are set easy (pace means you can play more shots, the ball comes onto the bat).

If you can adjust to the bounce (like Cook, Trott etc) or a natural on those conditions like Clarke / Poting then you can cash in.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Statsman So when the Aussies and Brits come back to tour us, we can't doctor the pitches?

The ECB does not doctor pitches. In fact, they are charitable - dishing up a bunsen at the Oval for Murali, fr'instance.

[Big Harvey]

Nothing wrong with turning pitches on the subcontinent or seaming pitches elsewhere. As long as the team winning the toss doesn't get a ridiculous advantage, or pancake pitches aren't deliberately prepared to allow a team that's ahead in a series to get a draw, I really don't have a problem.

As you can imagine I'm no fan of Australia, but the idea that there was anything unfair about their pitch preparation against India is frankly laughable.

[Statsman]

Yeah, Gambhir actually made those accusations iirc.

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by James LMAO. For decades, Indian cricket has been nullifying superior foreign bowlers with pancake pitches so India can have a chance of winning. In the process of improving India's away record, it is up to the BCCI to encourage Indian cricketers to compete in more first-class competitions in Western countries and less silly T20 leagues in the subcontinent.

South Africans don't get nullified, neither do the Pakistanis, it is only the Aussies and English, WHAT A JOKE. they are not superior, they fail the test on unresponsive pitches. shame on them.

There is a difference between a pancake and a turner. India don't win much on those pancakes either, why is that ignored?

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by trogger Green pitches? How on earth did clarke manage a quickly scored unbeaten triple ton on a greentop? ICC, finally test pitches round the world have some life and they want to send it back to 600 plays 600 just because the Indians have no heart.

Sydney got FLAT on day 2. Aus had the better of the pitch. check the score or even the videos, India also made 400 in the 2nd innings.

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by Robert The ECB does not doctor pitches. In fact, they are charitable - dishing up a bunsen at the Oval for Murali, fr'instance.

What about Mohali where your team has sucked even after playing in overcast conditions on time and again? ,Wankhede is the most bowler friendly pitch here where only Aus and Eng have played.


India has won plenty of matches in tough conditions , Nottingham ,Johannesburg,Headingley,Jamaica,Perth,Durban.
Gambhir's statement should not apply to the whole Indian team.
OP is pathetic, why is he and other posters singling out India in that whole article?

[wrongun]

Originally Posted by Lethalweapon Sydney got FLAT on day 2. Aus had the better of the pitch. check the score or even the videos, India also made 400 in the 2nd innings.

Ha. Pitch got flat when Indian trundlers heart wasn't strong enough to keep bending their backs. You get out of a pitch what you put in.

Jason Gillespie & Glen McGrath classic examples- both average < 25 in Asian conditions. Which Indian trundler can do the same ? No fire, no heart. They never gave up hurling the ball down with belief on those tracks.

(Kapil Dev & Kumble excepted).

[cricketjoshila]

So if Aussies complain about galle or mumbai pitch it is fine.And ICC can warn them.But If India complaints they are being cry babies.LOL.India has the right to complain so they did.The ICC and everyone else agreed with them.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Lethalweapon What about Mohali where your team has sucked even after playing in overcast conditions on time and again? ,

What has Mohali got to do with the ECB not preparing England-friendly wickets, please?

[wrongun]

No, no ICC pitch judgement was made, nor did anyone agree with Indias pathetic whining.

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by Robert What has Mohali got to do with the ECB not preparing England-friendly wickets, please?

You mentioned 'Oval' for Murali , same way Mohali is closest to England, your tests there in 2001,2006 and 2008 were in conditions which were overcast, 2006 was nearly lost to rain.You still lost the first 2 and conceded 150+ run lead in the last one which whippy thinks was competitive, lol. Even Aus didn't have that luck with their bowlers there. that pitch is reputed to be pace friendly, btw.
Only Flintoff has looked even 'superior', none of your other bowlers come close.(excepting maybe Hoggard, remember him?)

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by wrongun No, no ICC pitch judgement was made, nor did anyone agree with Indias pathetic whining.

Gambhir's one statement should not apply to the whole Indian team.
Can't you understand that? Indians are not whining.

[wrongun]

Fair enough. The general feeling from the body language statements that came across was India just said "Too hard, we give up, see on our pitches back home" and they stopped trying.

[Sir_Afridi]

Without pitch doctoring & hawk eye manipulation, india would become lambs at home too

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by wrongun Ha. Pitch got flat when Indian trundlers heart wasn't strong enough to keep bending their backs. You get out of a pitch what you put in. Jason Gillespie & Glen McGrath classic examples- both average < 25 in Asian conditions. Which Indian trundler can do the same ? No fire, no heart. They never gave up hurling the ball down with belief on those tracks. (Kapil Dev & Kumble excepted).

No, you forgot Yadav hitting Warner and Ponting Multiple times? your double standards are surprising as I thought aussies were better.
Bowlers only failed in 2 out of 6 innings, (they were worse in England , partly because of English tail)they were not trundlers, the captaincy was pathetic.they saw Zaheer off and attacked the others.
Mcgrath was excellent. but.
See Gillespie avg. at home vs India it is poor. his wkts. in India were against a struggling SRT less team in 2004, SRT was forced to play in that series eventually. I see how Warne's 'injury' is cited for his poor form in 97 but not SRT in 2004 who was not even fit like Warne.

[Lethalweapon]

^^ actually,it should be Kasprowicz more than Gillespie, very consistent in India.

[waqar_ahmad]

Can Indian cricket authorities ever stop crying? They are worst at doctoring pitches. And when they cant seem to win on bouncy pitches, they start complaining

Shameful stuff

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by waqar_ahmad Can Indian cricket authorities ever stop crying? They are worst at doctoring pitches. And when they cant seem to win on bouncy pitches, they start complaining Shameful stuff

Rubbish, India has won on bouncy pitches before.

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by Monsee Indians phirr ro rahaaay hain and trying to make the rest to of the world sympathize with them too...Indian batting was pathetic in England and Australia and pitches only played a small part in that

You seem to be intelligent, Only one Indian made that poor statement. Indians didn't cry anywhere.

[wrongun]

Originally Posted by Lethalweapon ^^ actually,it should be Kasprowicz more than Gillespie, very consistent in India.

Gillespies average way better

[wrongun]

Originally Posted by Lethalweapon No, you forgot Yadav hitting Warner and Ponting Multiple times? your double standards are surprising as I thought aussies were better. Bowlers only failed in 2 out of 6 innings, (they were worse in England , partly because of English tail)they were not trundlers, the captaincy was pathetic.they saw Zaheer off and attacked the others. Mcgrath was excellent. but. See Gillespie avg. at home vs India it is poor. his wkts. in India were against a struggling SRT less team in 2004, SRT was forced to play in that series eventually. I see how Warne's 'injury' is cited for his poor form in 97 but not SRT in 2004 who was not even fit like Warne.

One fiery spell &nhitting a helmet is the reason India are in such a mess. They need bowlers who try ALL DAY & never give up.

[kungfu90]

Good trolling by ItDuzz, seeing a lot of people fell for it.

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by wrongun One fiery spell &nhitting a helmet is the reason India are in such a mess. They need bowlers who try ALL DAY & never give up.

It is the defensive captaincy which is hurting India. Ganguly did much better in 2003-04 with a half-baked attack after Zaheer,Harby got injured and Irfan made his debut. There were no charity runs then, but giving up attacking after a partnership develops should be Dhoni's trademark.

[ethan hunt]

interesting indeed ..

Prepare 'rank turners' for visiting teams - Gambhir


Gautam Gambhir has called for "rank turners" when teams visit India after India have lost seven consecutive away Tests on pitches that he reckons had lot of grass on them. He said the real test of a team was to win overseas, and that Indian curators shouldn't hesitate to make it as tough as possible for visiting teams.
Gambhir said there was a lot of movement available to seam bowlers in all of their seven defeats starting from the English summer onwards. "We have seen in last three Tests matches and even in England, there was a lot of grass and that helped their seamers," he said. "Once these people come to India we should not be hesitant in making turners, and that's where we would get to know whether they are mentally strong, and [what happens to] the kind of chit chat do they do when we go overseas and they talk about our techniques.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australi...ry/550433.html

[madaboutcricket]

Haters are waiting for anything negative about india. lol. They get exited as soon as they see it.

I will see this kind of stuff for another 1 month or so.

Just make up your mind guys. BCCI is bullying or BCCI is crying. Both cant be right.

[waqar_ahmad]

Originally Posted by Lethalweapon Rubbish, India has won on bouncy pitches before.

Yes, that's why their players were sledging about "giving it to the aussies in india"

[madaboutcricket]

Originally Posted by waqar_ahmad Yes, that's why their players were sledging about "giving it to the aussies in india"

Yeah icc is going to take India's victory in perth, Durban, etc off the record just because gambir made that comment?

[Random Aussie]

As James said, it is somewhat hilarious to have India of all countries complaining about doctored pitches.

Just amazing. Its like Australians complaining about sledging. Or Sri Lankans about chucking.

[James]

Or like England complaining about other teams picking foreign-born players.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by James Or like England complaining about other teams picking foreign-born players.

I really have a hard time believing India would have the hide to complain about pitch preparation.

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie As James said, it is somewhat hilarious to have India of all countries complaining about doctored pitches. Just amazing. Its like Australians complaining about sledging. Or Sri Lankans about chucking.

Originally Posted by James Or like England complaining about other teams picking foreign-born players.

Originally Posted by Random Aussie I really have a hard time believing India would have the hide to complain about pitch preparation.

I won't disagree. BUT......

you realise THIS IS A NEW ZEALAND CENTRIC ARTICLE WHICH ONLY MENTIONS INDIA ONCE, one statement of one player (Gambhir) is applied to the whole team and India is getting bashed unfairly. Gambhir got plenty of flak in India itself ,btw.

Sorry, but the OP has shown his 'class' by opening this thread and making it (the article) look like it is centered around India. and a MOD (whippy) cannot see that.