Doctored pitches?

[crabs]

From todays NZ Herald


Cricket: Black Caps' Cup build-up in doubt

18.01.06
By Richard Boock



New Zealand's World Cup build-up was thrown into confusion last night after another bout of muscle-flexing from India's new administration.

On a day in which the Indian Board of Control (BCCI) threatened the future of the International Cricket Council's Champions Trophy tournament, there was also doubt cast over India's visit to New Zealand next summer; the last competition before the start of the World Cup.

Indian reporters were yesterday left bewildered at a press conference in Mumbai when the recently-apppointed BCCI president Sharad Pawar refused to confirm that next summer's tour would take place.

The Times of India and The Hindu both reported about Pawar's reluctance to acknowledge the tour, and were prompted to speculate on their country's apparent power-clash with the ICC.

Next year's visit was scheduled as part of the ICC's future tours programme, a contract that threatens reneging nations with multi-million dollar fines and, at worst, suspension from the world body.

India were infuriated by the treatment dished out during their previous tour to New Zealand in 2002-03, which coincidentally just happened to be on the eve of the World Cup in South Africa.

On pitches that were almost certainly doctored in favour of the hosts, India were routed 2-0 in the tests and 5-2 in the one-dayers, and in the aftermath warned that the 2007 visit was far from a certainty.

NZC chief executive Martin Snedden was unavailable for comment last night, adding fuel to the suggestion that his administration may have struck a deal with India in the form of either a postponement or a trade-off.

Whatever the upshot, the sub-continental power-base has pushed a confrontational line over the past few weeks; its latest target being the ICC-sponsored Champions Trophy tournament.

BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi told Reuters that India were not prepared to sacrifice the most productive part of their domestic season in order to safeguard the interests of England and Australia.

"We're not free in October in 2007, 2008 or 2009, said Modi. We have made our position very clear to the ICC [International Cricket Council] many times."

India will stage this year's Champions Trophy from October 7 to November 5 but argue that holding the event at that time cuts into their bilateral schedule and, as a consequence, on their revenue.

Modi said the Champions Trophy had been scheduled in such a way that it did not clash with the peak season of either Australia or England.

"If others want to play they can. Why should we play in October?"

Even more ominously, the BCCI has announced plans to produce and supply its own international telecasts, a move that would allow it to on-sell the rights for what is conservatively estimated at US$350m a year.

"We will have all the latest gimmicks that Australia or England provide," said Modi.


I understand there point. When India last came here we witness some of the most boring, low scoring games of cricket ever seen. However, although New Zealand won the series, it did nothing to help NZ in it's bid for the World Cup in 2003 as the South African pitches were typical batting pitches. NZ only made it to the Super 6 stages and India went on to the finals!

Since then however, I think the groundsmen have had the hard word from NZ Cricket and now our pitches (well most of them anyway) seem to be great, especially Wellington and Christchurch where scores are frequently over 300 in the ODI's. I would be very suprised if there was another repeat.

[Mr Kiwi]

firstly richard boock - while well informed, is probably the most inflamatory sports writer in NZ. i just wish he'd stir up trouble in rugby circles now and then . . .

the test pitches for that tour were substandard - though doctored? it's hard to doctor a pitch when it's underwater for a day and half two days out from the game (that was the case in hamilton at least, the basin pitch was just bad).

i notice most reports of that tour neglect to mention that the indians batted irresponsably and many fell into pretty obvious fleming traps (ganguly the worst culprit)

i feel that the now cancellation of this tour (according to cricinfo) has more to do with TV revenues. the new (?) indian board has pretty obviously stated that they want tours which will make money. hence hosting AUS every year for the next three years. the NZ tour is likely to be replayed the following year or 2008

[ajithlalm]

I think some of the newzeland pitches should be more batsman friendy. Some pitches assist the bowlers toooooooooooo much. It is impossible to make good scores in the some ODI matches and test matches in some pitches.

[Vrock]

I agree that the pitches should be more batsmen friendly, but NZ have the right to make the pitches how they want. I also think it's a good challenge for sides used to batting on flat(ter) wickets.

[Andy Mellon]

Its easy to say that NZ should produce more batsman friendly wickets, its another thing to be able to do it! Quite a few of their international pitches are used for rugby in the Winter (or at least some of the grounds) which means that the groundsman doesn't have the whole year to prepare. Also, the seam movement is assisted by the strong winds that are endemic in NZ.

Finally, even if you wanted to turn a pitch into a batting paradise, it would take very careful preparation over a period of years to turn it into such a pitch. All test grounds, i would imagine, would like the tests to go onto the 5th day, so they can maximise their income, the very fact that most matches don't last that long in certain places (UK, NZ in particular) suggests that you can't just tailor a pitch so your specific needs.

[DomainK]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Quite a few of their international pitches are used for rugby in the Winter

Thats really surprising.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by crabs

When India last came here we witness some of the most boring, low scoring games of cricket ever seen. [...] Since then however, I think the groundsmen have had the hard word from NZ Cricket and now our pitches (well most of them anyway) seem to be great, especially Wellington and Christchurch where scores are frequently over 300 in the ODI's.

I find the notion of low scoring games being boring quite bizarre: low scoring games are by definition interesting games as every run carries increased significance and as every delivery carries increased interest due to the fact that it's half-expected to test the batsman.

If you want boring games of cricket watch games in Pakistan some time: the first two Tests vs. India were a real nadir of Test cricket: you could safely miss entire sessions of play knowing that nothing signficant was likely to happen. In fact... nothing significant happened in 10 days of cricket (unless you count Pakistan not imploding as significant).

When the only way a batsman is going to get out is through a horrendous mistake.. and when pretty much any batsman coming to the crease can be expected to score.. and when bowlers know nothing they can do can pressure the batsman... cricket DOES become boring - hence the term "sporting" wickets.

[crabs]

My personal preference is for games to be high scoring in ODI's, I consider a low score under 200. I like to see risks taken and fast running. When I want to watch the batsmen get tested and be patient, that's when I love test matches.

But out of the seven games played, everytime India batted first not only did they lose, they didn't once post a score over 200. Each time India batted first NZ got to the total required at the earliest on the 26th over and the latest on the 37th over. This is what made it very one sided and boring. And if I recall correctly, NZC CEO Martin Snedden said they were going to look into the pitch conditions.