Atkinson happy with Kotla strip

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ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson is happy with Kotla pitch as DDCA works hard to produce a sporting track for World Cup. More... Wednesday 17th November 2010 Atkinson happy with Kotla strip ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson is happy with Kotla pitch as DDCA works hard to produce a sporting track for World Cup. By Souvik Banerjee Following a spate of controversies over the standard of the Ferozeshah Kotla track, the Delhi District Cricket Association is striving to meet ICC standards ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Although Gujarat were bowled out for a paltry 71 inside the first session of their elite division Ranji Trophy tie against hosts Delhi on Wednesday, the otherwise placid Kotla strip showed good carry and bounce. Delhi curator Venkat Sundaram, who has been facing a lot of flak in recent times, is happy with the seaming track. "We prepared this pitch within four days. Now it is settling down," said former Delhi star batsman Sundaram. Meanwhile, ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson who is in Delhi to evaluate the wicket seemed satisfied with proceedings on Day One. "It is a good, sporting wicket with great carry and bounce. The batsmen just need to apply themselves," said the burly Englishman in an exclusive chat with Mobile ESPN. The Gujarat batsmen, however, did the exact opposite. After winning the toss, skipper Parthiv Patel's decision to bat under overcast conditions was baffling to say the least. Later, most of the Gujarat batsmen chased balls outside the off stump and threw away their wickets. Recently, the Ranji opener between Delhi and Bengal here had ended in a drab draw with both teams scoring heavily. The general reaction after the game was a thumbs down for the strip. However, Sundaram was confident that he can produce a result-oriented wicket. "I faced a lot of criticism regarding the low and slow nature of the pitch. At that stage I had mentioned that the wicket will gradually improve as the season progresses. Now that the wicket is sporting and offering assistance to the seamers, people will scream that it was not a batting-friendly wicket," the DDCA chief curator said, tongue-in-cheek! Atkinson added: "If everyone wants to see runs flowing, then one should play on concrete slabs." While the Delhi track seems to have improved, will it pass the World Cup Test? Come February 24, the answer will be unlocked when Kotla hosts its first game of the showpiece event between South Africa and West Indies.

[Cricketics]

Kotla wicket has always been great sporting one. Every time a test match has been played here, a result has come out, barring the 2008 draw against Aus, when they changed the whole pitch. Even in ODI'S it's never been those 300 run wicket and has always been challenging for batters. One of the first choice ground it shoiuld be for test once the ban period is over in march.

[Ranjha]

Kotla wicket has always been great sporting one. Every time a test match has been played here, a result has come out, barring the 2008 draw against Aus, when they changed the whole pitch. Even in ODI'S it's never been those 300 run wicket and has always been challenging for batters. One of the first choice ground it shoiuld be for test once the ban period is over in march.

well there have been problems with delhi pitch, no?

[Sachinism]

Lets hope its been improved

[Sachinism]

The Feroz Shah Kotla ground in New Delhi has been reinstated as an international venue with effect from January 1, the ICC has said. This means it is formally cleared to host the four World Cup matches scheduled at the ground next year.