Jump to content

Pitch tampering by groundstaff at Lord's during the lunch break?


Recommended Posts

Posted
The MCC has admitted to "a genuine mistake" after a member of the Lord's ground staff was shown sliding his feet on a good length during the lunch break on the third day of the second Investec Test between England and India. Shane Doherty, an experienced member of the MCC team who has worked on several international games over the last few years, had been asked to sweep dust off the pitch at the interval. To do so, he should have stood to the side of the pitch and ensured he in no way interfered with the playing area. Instead he was captured by television cameras walking - you might even say dragging his foot - on a good length as he worked. Such activity could, in theory, create scuff marks on the pitch and provide extra assistance for the bowlers. It is understood another member of the groundstaff alerted Doherty to his error. MCC took to Twitter to issue an apology and some reassuring words. A statement read: "MCC admits a genuine, honest mistake, and there was no intent to damage the pitch." "Maybe he has had a bit too much sun," the head groundsman, Mick Hunt, said with a rueful shake of his head. While conspiracy theorists might suggest it was relevant that India started their second innings minutes before the lunch interval, it is important to remember that England are to bat last on the pitch.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2014/content/story/762039.html MCC have been quick to issue a clarification calling it an inadvertent mistake but imagine such a thing happening in India. Would this argument of India having to bat last be ever used in such a situation?
Posted

The pitch is behaving very differently in the last hour or so. Balls rearing up nastily from length. Lots of variable bounce. If it were India, it would be called a doctored pitch by the English. :--D

Posted

im not concerned bout the pitch as much as potential ball tampering. the ball started reverse swinging like crazy out of the blue when the 3 wickets fell in a heap.

Posted

Shameless cheats. There would have been a furore over this from Vaughan, Atherton, Derrick Pringle and others if this had happened in India. They would have been whining about it for months.

Posted

"Genuine Mistake" - Whatta load of BS Lol they knew exactly what they were doing, they didn't get the desired results though I reakon they would have carried on further if they weren't caught. I guess the issue will be brushed aside

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...