Green Park, Kanpur 2009 : Pitch discussion

[Celeste]

[Sachinism]

^^ lolz :haha:

[Sooda]

Haha @ Celeste. Nice.

[DomainK]

:haha::haha::haha::haha::haha:

[Laaloo]

Kanpur pitch expected to be more bowler friendly Two days ahead of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka in Kanpur, the Green Park pitch was green. "They should leave the grass," umpire Nigel Llong said with a wide smile, after inspecting the surface which had an even, inch-long cover of grass. Llong was only joking of course and, by Monday, the grass would have been finely trimmed. But Shiv Kumar, the curator at Green Park, assured that the pitch would not attract unfavourable attention, like the dustbowl against South Africa in 2008, or the slow and dreary one used in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad last week. "It will be a friendly pitch, for both batsmen and bowlers," he said. In 2008 as well, Kanpur hosted the second Test after Ahmedabad held the first against South Africa. And after India were thrashed by an innings and 90 runs, instructions were given to the Green Park curator to prepare a pitch that would facilitate an Indian victory. The watering was stopped three days prior to the Test, the ball turned sharply and the bounce was variable from day one, and India won by eight wickets inside three days. The pitch was so sub-standard that the ICC wrote to the BCCI seeking an explanation. "It would not be a dry wicket like last time," Kumar said. He was confident this pitch, a fresh one on which a lot of domestic cricket is played, would last the distance. "Instructions have been given to us for the Test to last all five days," an Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association source said. Last year's controversial track, which lies to the left of the current pitch, was relaid six months ago and is now a blackboard-coloured surface which will take at least a year to be fit for play. The last international game played on the current Green Park pitch was the 1996-97 Test against South Africa, when Mohammad Azharuddin' unbeaten 163 in the second innings set up India's victory. But plenty of first-class and age-group cricket has been played on the pitch and records suggest it has a lot of runs. "The pitch has been fine tuned a lot. It would be a batting pitch but the bowlers will have an even hand from the third day," Kumar said. Daljit Singh, the head of the BCCI curators' committee, predicted that the second Test would mostly have a result. "It should be a good wicket to bat on and for a two-two [two fast bowlers, two spinners] combination", Daljit, who had come to Kanpur to inspect the pitch a couple of days ago, said. Meanwhile, both teams had complete training sessions on Sunday. Zaheer Khan was the only Indian missing from the nets because he opted to relax. The team management confirmed Zaheer was fine and was only resting. Neither team had injury worries and were likely to decide their final XIs only on the morning of the day of the match. Source - Cricinfo

[cowboysfan]

Grass is our friend,just ask sachinism.

[ludhianvi]

"It would not be a dry wicket like last time," Kumar said. He was confident this pitch, a fresh one on which a lot of domestic cricket is played, would last the distance. "Instructions have been given to us for the Test to last all five days," an Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association source said. Last year's controversial track, which lies to the left of the current pitch, was relaid six months ago and is now a blackboard-coloured surface which will take at least a year to be fit for play.

:eyedance:

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Kanpur wicket promises to dish out interesting contest: Jayawardene After the first Test, we were left with mixed feelings. In many ways, it was an important period for us, as the beginning of any tour is, writes Mahela Jayawardene. More... Kanpur wicket promises to dish out interesting contest Mahela Jayawardene November 22, 2009 First Published: 22:36 IST(22/11/2009) Last Updated: 22:36 IST(22/11/2009) After the first Test, we were left with mixed feelings. In many ways, it was an important period for us, as the beginning of any tour is. When we came into this series, we were frequently asked if winning was a realistic aim, given that we had never won a Test on Indian soil. The manner in which we batted, and generally conducted ourselves in the first three days, showed that we're not weighed down by history, and actually have the personnel in this group to do things differently. That said, there is immediate room for improvement. We have been a consistent team over the past few months, and to win in India we will have to reflect that. There were passages of play in which our bowling was not as tight as it could have been, and certainly we have fielded better than we did in Ahmedabad. There has been plenty of talk about the pitch and I have got to say it played just as we expected over the first three days. What no one quite bargained for was the fact that it simply did not deteriorate at all over the last couple of days. At least on the fifth day, with the sun having baked the wicket out, you expect something for the spinners, but that was not to be. Moving to Kanpur we hope the surface will be one that gives the bowlers something to work with. I had a good look at the pitch this morning after our practice session, and it does look different from Ahmedabad. There is a light covering of grass on the surface and whether that remains or not, this looks like it should make for more interesting cricket. At the end of the day what everyone wants is a surface that gives the two teams a chance of forcing a result. On a slightly personal note, I must say that I was quite humbled after reading Sunil Gavaskar's column on Sunday where he said that I have not been recognised quite as much as I should have. It means a lot when someone like Gavaskar has a good word for you. But I must say that there has been plenty of acknowledgment of the work I have done for the team and the game back home in Sri Lanka. I'm really not someone who chases the limelight or the plaudits and am happy with the recognition I have got. At the end of the day, it is about doing what you can to help your team win, and in that sense the work has just begun on this tour.

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Kanpur : Curator hopeful but stays non-committal on result When Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked onto the pitch on Sunday afternoon a little before his teammates, the public —comprising mostly of officials and the media — thronged to the centre to get a reaction. More... Curator hopeful but stays non-committal on result Khurram Habib, Hindustan Times Kanpur, November 22, 2009 First Published: 23:09 IST(22/11/2009) Last Updated: 23:10 IST(22/11/2009) When Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked onto the pitch on Sunday afternoon a little before his teammates, the public —comprising mostly of officials and the media — thronged to the centre to get a reaction. There was none. The captain tapped, knocked and rubbed the surface, marked out a portion for its peculiarity but remained wooden-faced as he walked away. Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir followed and then Rahul Dravid, digging into an apple, scanned the pitch. Dravid shook his head and muttered, “It’s not going to be like the one last time.” Last year, the game against South Africa here had ended in three days with the wicket consuming the opposition on the third day. Amidst the talk about the quality of wickets after the Ahmedabad stalemate, the curators are in a piquant situation. Both JB Saxena, the UPCA representative, and Shiv Kumar, the Sports Department expert, have to avoid a repeat of last year’s fiasco, while at the same time, prevent an Ahmedabad-like dead rubber. In other words, the game should be perfect — last five days and produce a result. As reported in Hindustan Times on Saturday, the UPCA is playing safe, using an old wicket and not the re-laid and ‘under-prepared’ one — where the match against South Africa ended in double quick time — to ensure the game lasts five days. The officials say that Sachin Tendulkar has complimented them for preparing such a track. But they won’t hedge a bet on the outcome of the match. “Let’s see,” is the catchword on everyone’s lips. The Lankans, who practiced in the morning, seemed a bit confused. Muralitharan looked pensive and was engrossed in an animated discussion with the staff after seeing the turf. Former player, Russel Arnold, who is now a commentator, said, “It should start taking turn from the third day.” Traditionally, the wicket here has been a batsman’s paradise, barring 2008 and 1959, when, in the words of Abbas Ali Baig, “off-spinner Jasu Patel, with his fast, off-cutter-like deliveries, bowled just short of good length, making life miserable for the Aussies”. In fact, when India played against Sri Lanka here in 1986, three Indians got 150-plus scores, with Mohammed Azharuddin falling on 199. “During my time, it was always a good wicket to bat on,” said Azharuddin, who averages 181 here. Whatever be the case, things will get clearer on Monday, the eve of the game.

[Chandan]

In 2008 as well, Kanpur hosted the second Test after Ahmedabad held the first against South Africa. And after India were thrashed by an innings and 90 runs, instructions were given to the Green Park curator to prepare a pitch that would facilitate an Indian victory. The watering was stopped three days prior to the Test, the ball turned sharply and the bounce was variable from day one, and India won by eight wickets inside three days. The pitch was so sub-standard that the ICC wrote to the BCCI seeking an explanation.

How can the pitch be made a sub standard one, after the authorities instruct for a result pitch? A pitch preparation takes months if not a year! At the most it can be left dry, as we had the Mohali track vs the Aussies last year. But that was not substandard. So how was the Kanpur track, which was ready to host the test within 3 days of A'bad test last year, deliberately under-prepared to be a sub-standard one within 3 days?

Neither team had injury worries and were likely to decide their final XIs only on the morning of the day of the match.

How wrong! Prasad is nearly out with the hamstring injury and SL have to decide between Fernando or Kulasekhara. Dishan has the broken nose, while Dhoni has an injured finger though both of them will still play this match hopefully. But this news only shows that this cricinfo writer is making things up, or is not reporting accurately. The correct reporting is this:

India needed to square the series and an under-prepared pitch that turned square from day one suited the home team’s purpose. But then, Kanpur as a Test venue came under the scanner after the Test and the host association had to answer questions aplenty after South Africa submitted a rather strong report on that Test. Daljit’s assurance “You will not have a repeat of that kind of a pitch. I had a good look at the surface for the match,” assures Daljit Singh, who heads the country’s wicket and grounds panel. These are not the easiest of days for Daljit. Following the criticism of the pitch for the first Test, the surfaces for the rest of the series will be under a microscope. But then, the committee has loads of time to prepare a proper Test match wicket. Short-sighted solutions for immediate needs eventually hurt the game’s cause and diminish the value of individual performances. This series screams for a sporting wicket at Kanpur. There are indications that the authorities here are not taking a chance with the pitch. Although a fresh wicket has been laid at this venue, the second Test would be played on an adjacent pitch, holding no devils, where matches have been staged earlier. Fitness worries The nature of the surface is not the only concern for the Sri Lankans though. The side has a few fitness issues to resolve as well. Key batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan — who hurt his nose in a freak accident after the first Test — trained here on Sunday with a bandage wrapped around the injured area. The dashing opener is expected to be fine for Tuesday’s Test. However, with the pacy Dammika Prasad virtually out of the match with a hamstring pull, the visitors will have to look for a new ball partner for the impressive Chanaka Welegedara. Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando, who has replaced the injured Thilan Thushara in the squad, can bowl with pace and thrust. However, Fernando has run into serious no-balling problems in the past. Nuwan Kulasekara, slower but more accurate bowler, offers the side greater consistency. Light factor The weather at this time of the year in these parts could also influence the course of the Test. The mornings could be foggy and this might delay the start of the play in the first session. And the sun sets quickly in winter, cutting into play in the last session. As Daljit confided, “If we are unlucky with the weather, we could lose around eight hours of play in the Test.” Eight hours is more than a day’s play. Given the likely weather, it is imperative that we have a pitch where the bowlers are in with a shout. Otherwise, we could so easily have another draw in the series. It would not suit India’s interest to leave everything to the last Test. The pitch at the Brabourne Stadium for the final match is expected to be a result-oriented one which suggests the Sri Lankans would have a fair chance. A single Test could decide the series. The Sri Lankans did put the Indians under pressure in the first Test, both on the first morning and on the final day before Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman ensured a draw. The saviour Scripting escape acts is not always possible. For instance, India, 32 for four on the first morning at Motera, could so easily have been 100 for seven had the technically and temperamentally sound Rahul Dravid not proved a road-block. The Indian recovery was essentially scripted around Dravid. Had India been dismissed for around 200 in the first innings, there might have been no comebacks...even on the dead Motera wickets. From the hot and dusty Ahmedabad, to the hustle and bustle of a busy Kanpur in winter...the cricket caravan moves on.

[Mr. Wicket]

But this news only shows that this cricinfo writer is making things up' date=' or is not reporting accurately.[/url']

Thank you for posting the accurate and proper news here for those people who only read the nonsense posted on Cricinfo. I have mostly stopped reading that site; it's useful for old archives of Wisden Almanacks, scorecards and statsguru, but there is VERY little of use among new content beyond the odd interview. As far as speculation on the pitch and fitness goes... we can only guess so much. I just hope that it proves to be a watchable game.

[fineleg]

Do you think Kanpur Test will produce a non-draw result? Folks, What is your take based on observing the pitch? Do you think the Kanpur Test will produce an Indian win? Or do you think this pitch is just going to be another huge run fest by both teams! Requires a disciplined performance from our bowlers of course, but is the pitch likely to give any assistance?

[satishg]

India iz taking thiz one eazily!

[Jersey #10]

It's a DRAW :(( can we have a poll? :yay:

[fineleg]

India iz taking thiz one eazily!

I'm not sure about easily - but I definitely want to see Sreesanth giving good support to ZK and Bhajji needs to get into the strike bowler mode. Ojha may not have much match practice under his belt, but maybe can throw up a few surprises.

[fineleg]

It's a DRAW :(( can we have a poll? :yay:

Poll added as per your request :hatsoff:

[Jersey #10]

Poll added as per your request :hatsoff:

appreciate it :bow:

[satishg]

I predicted an Indian draw last test match and it happened "Easily" and now i am prediction our victory which will also happen "easily". :D

[fineleg]

I predicted an Indian draw last test match and it happened "Easily" and now i am prediction our victory which will also happen "easily". :D

I'm counting on your prediction now :icflove: I hope we dont do the "Sydney approach" - where Ganguly went into day-3 morning. We should play carefully for first hour on day-2, but after that score freely (600-650?) and declare after tea? Hopefully thats what Dhoni and Kirsten will be thinking.

[flamy]

His records might be broken one day, but the memories he gave us will remain for eternity..Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest batsman of my time and will remain so until i die

why is there a time limit? impure blind devotee :headshake: