Wednesday, 12 February 2014

‘Will keep as much grass as possible’

 Tailing 0-1 in the two-Test series against New Zealand, there would be no respite for the Indian batsmen as the pitch at the Basin Reserve here will be all but green, seamers’ paradise, curator Brett Sipthorpe has said.

The pitch has been under the covers for the last few days as four days of rain had hindered pitch preparations for the second Test, starting here on Friday. But the showers have eased out now to finally allow some work. “I don’t expect they (India) will be too happy when they see that,” Sipthorpe was quoted as saying by the stuff.co.nz. India had lost their first rubber in Auckland by 40 runs.

Sipthorpe produces wickets with lively pace and bounce and the Black Caps had requested him the “same again” pitch on which they romped to an innings and 73-run victory over the West Indies in December. Sipthorpe said it was a guarantee that the captain who would win toss, would like to bowl first.

“It’s had good pace and bounce in it this summer and basically we’re aiming for exactly what we had for the West Indies one,” he said.

“It just depends on what the weather brings us. If we have to take a little more off we will, but we don’t want to lose our pace and grass cover is pace. We’ll do everything we can to try to keep as much grass on as we possibly can,” he added.

Sipthorpe said bounce, rather than spin, would be key to success at Basin Reserve. “With the weather we’ve got leading into this one, there’s almost no chance of it drying out to bring spinners right into it. I think the bounce will be the key.”


From TIE News

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