Beefy wants pitch doctored!

[davo ramone]

In todays papers downunder Botham wants the Old Trafford curator to change the pitch if its a turner. He thinks we will blow away the jubilant poms away and rest back the momentum of the series. I find this a bit rich after all the complaining western countries do when they go to the sub-continent and they doctor pitches to suit themselves.

[Clive Dunn]

If it's looking to be a bunsen I'll happily pop up to Manchester and dig the pitch up.

[greg]

We should be playing on a greentop.

[davo ramone]

so you guys advocate cheating then?

[greg]

What is cheating about setting a pitch up to suit your own bowling attack and to nullify the effectiveness of your opponents.It happens the world over so why not in this country?

[davo ramone]

Originally Posted by greg

What is cheating about setting a pitch up to suit your own bowling attack and to nullify the effectiveness of your opponents.It happens the world over so why not in this country?

The pitch takes weeks to prepare and botham wants it watered down in the week leading up to the test. So your telling me thats ok? This type of attitide will never see England be number 1 in the world because you wont be able to play on different surfaces. We had to conquer India to be the best and we did.

[Clive Dunn]

Who cares about India ? We are looking to win a test match this week and nullifying Australia's spin advantage is the most important thing. Water away.

[Notts Exile]

Every country does it, they're just not all as blatantly obvious about it as Botham! It's not necessarily "doctoring" the pitch, merely preparing it to suit the home team. It's done in almost every sport around the world. Get over it.

[Harmy's Army]

Pitch has already been tailored to suit Harmison and Freddie according to this report.

If it continues to harden up, as Peter Marron, our head groundsman, expects, it will have pace and bounce. People expecting it to turn square on day one can just forget it. Historically, you would pick another spinner here - but if this wicket carries on as it has been I would go with a pace attack.

Looks like the Aussies have a difficult choice to make on whether to go for the extra spinner or not, and if Lee is ruled out...

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

I don't think either Warne or MacGill will be too bothered. As wrist spinners they can turn the ball on most surfaces and they will be happy if there is a bit of bounce in the pitch as this will assist them.