Wishlist0
0
Continue Shopping

 +91 91155 12977

Home / Tagged "PitchConditions"

Tag: PitchConditions

Pakistan to Reuse Pitch for Second Test Against England in Multan

Pakistan to Reuse Pitch for Second Test Against England in Multan

By October 13, 2024 0

Pakistan’s decision to reuse the same pitch for the second Test against England in Multan has raised eyebrows, but the move is not without precedent. The International Cricket Council (ICC) requires only “the best possible pitch and outfield conditions” for Test matches, with no stipulations that the surface must be fresh or unused.

Pakistan’s decision may be driven by a desire to level the playing field after their innings defeat in the first Test. The pitch in Multan offered little assistance to bowlers, with 1,599 runs scored for the loss of 26 wickets. England’s bowlers were particularly frustrated, with Chris Woakes describing the surface as offering “bugger all.”

By reusing the same pitch, Pakistan may hope to create conditions that favor their spinners. The bowlers’ footmarks from the first Test are dry and cracked, and the fans and harsh sun will further dry them out. This could make it difficult for England’s batsmen to play spin, especially if Ben Stokes is selected as a third seamer.

Stokes has ramped up his bowling workloads over the past week and bowled at full pace in the nets on Sunday morning. His inclusion would give England a potent bowling attack, but it could also backfire if the pitch does not offer enough assistance to spinners.

England, meanwhile, are braced for a lower-scoring match. They will be hoping to take advantage of the dry conditions and exploit any variable bounce that may develop. Kevin Pietersen, the former England captain, described the pitch as a “bowlers’ graveyard” on Twitter and suggested that Pakistan should re-use it for the second Test.

Pakistan’s move is unusual, but it is not without precedent. In 2016, India reused the same pitch for two consecutive Tests against New Zealand in Kanpur. The pitch offered more assistance to spinners in the second Test, and India won by an innings and 115 runs.

Whether Pakistan’s gamble will pay off remains to be seen. The second Test starts on Tuesday, and the conditions will be closely monitored.

Categories: Cricket
Read more
Uncertainty Looms Over Pitch Conditions for India-Bangladesh Test

Uncertainty Looms Over Pitch Conditions for India-Bangladesh Test

By September 26, 2024 0

The second Test between India and Bangladesh is shrouded in uncertainty as both teams remain unaware of the pitch conditions. India’s batting coach, Abhishek Nayar, expressed his ignorance about the surface, while Bangladesh’s head coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe, revealed that two pitches have been prepared, but the final decision will be made on the morning of the match.

During India’s training session, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir inspected both pitches. The drier black-soil surface seemed to garner more attention. Initial indications suggest a batting-friendly start, transitioning to slow and low turn from the third day onwards.

However, the weather forecast poses a challenge. Overcast conditions and thunderstorms are predicted for the first three days, potentially hindering the natural wear and tear that typically aids spin-friendly pitches. Rain interrupted India’s training session, prompting the groundstaff to cover the square.

As a result, India will finalize their XI on the morning of the Test, considering the possibility of an extra spinner instead of the extra seamer used in Chennai. Both pitches appear promising, but the conditions will ultimately determine the pitch’s behavior.

India leads the series 1-0 and may opt for a spinner over a seamer. Kuldeep Yadav, who impressed against England earlier this year, and Axar Patel, known for his relentless stump-to-stump attack, are potential candidates. Axar played alongside R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India’s last Test in Kanpur against New Zealand in 2021, which ended in a draw.

Categories: Cricket
Read more
India's Playing XI for Kanpur Test Remains Uncertain

India’s Playing XI for Kanpur Test Remains Uncertain

By September 26, 2024 0

The Indian cricket team is facing a crucial decision as they prepare for the second Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on Friday in Kanpur. The team’s playing XI remains uncertain, with the selection of spinners and pacers hinging on the pitch and weather conditions.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir meticulously inspected two prepared pitches at Green Park Stadium. The team management is contemplating the inclusion of a third spinner, considering the possibility of rain on the first and third days of the match.

Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar hinted that the final decision will likely be made just before the toss. “Both pitches look pretty good. Kanpur is often known to have good pitches. I am not sure about the bounce yet,” Nayar said during Thursday’s pre-match press conference.

In the first Test in Chennai, India opted for a combination of two spinners and three pacers. However, Kanpur’s conditions may favor spin, prompting the team to consider adding a third spinner. Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav could join Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja if this change is implemented.

Nayar remained tight-lipped about Kuldeep’s potential inclusion in his home state. “With the conditions and the forecast, it is going to be interesting when we turn up in the morning. A lot will depend on that because, as you know, in Test cricket, conditions can be a huge factor in how the pitch plays,” Nayar explained.

All players are fit and available for selection, Nayar confirmed. “It is too early for us to judge and decide or have any sort of thought process on the pitch or the conditions. But we are hoping we come in tomorrow to a sunny day and not an overcast Kanpur,” he added.

The Indian team will need to carefully assess the pitch and weather conditions before finalizing their playing XI. The decision will have a significant impact on their strategy and chances of securing a victory in the second Test.

Categories: Cricket
Read more
Kanpur Test Pitch to Offer Flatter, Slower Surface

Kanpur Test Pitch to Offer Flatter, Slower Surface

By September 23, 2024 0

The upcoming second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur is expected to present a contrasting pitch to the one witnessed in the first Test in Chennai. The Kanpur pitch is likely to be flatter, with lower bounce and a slower surface due to its black-soil content.

Unlike the true bounce that characterized the Chepauk pitch, the Green Park pitch will offer less bounce and carry. This is because the pitch is made of black soil, which is known to slow down the ball and reduce bounce. The surface is also expected to become increasingly slower as the Test progresses.

This change in pitch conditions will likely impact team selection. India may consider replacing one of their three seamers with a third spinner, such as Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel. Bangladesh, on the other hand, may bring in left-arm spinner Taijul Islam in place of Nahid Rana if Shakib Al Hasan is ruled out due to injury.

The slower nature of the pitch will make it more challenging for bowlers to extract wickets. However, batters could benefit from the lack of bounce and spin, potentially leading to higher scores. In the 2021 Test at Green Park, Shreyas Iyer scored a century and a fifty on debut, while Tom Latham showcased his defensive skills against Indian spinners.

The last Test played at Green Park, against New Zealand in 2021, lasted five days. India played three spinners in that match, and New Zealand batters showed resilience to draw the game. The upcoming Test is also likely to be a battle of attrition, with both teams looking to capitalize on the conditions.

Categories: Cricket
Read more
Guardiola Prepares City for Fulham's Long Grass Challenge

Guardiola Prepares City for Fulham’s Long Grass Challenge

By May 11, 2024 0

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized the importance of adapting to different pitch conditions as his team prepares to face Fulham on Saturday. City, aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, are known for their possession-based passing game that thrives on the pristine surfaces of their Etihad Stadium home.

However, Guardiola believes that his side can benefit from slower pitches, as evidenced by their victory at Nottingham Forest last month. He expects a similar challenge at Craven Cottage, where Fulham’s pitch is typically longer and drier.

“We have to adapt like with Nottingham, try to fight back with three points,” Guardiola said. “Yesterday, we trained part of the session with a dry, high (grass) to feel it, to adapt.”

Guardiola compared the situation to tennis, highlighting the different speeds and techniques required on different surfaces. “The passes must be stronger, faster, quicker. The control must attack the ball more,” he explained.

City head to London trailing Arsenal by a point but with a game in hand. The Gunners face Manchester United on Sunday before concluding their campaign against Everton. City play their game in hand at Tottenham in midweek and then face West Ham in their final league match.

Guardiola is confident that his team can overcome any challenges they face, including the potential for a slower pitch at Fulham. “Here we are, one week left to give all we have,” he said. “I don’t know about the grass, last season it was so, so high and dry. We have to adapt.”

Categories: Football
Read more
Main Menu
Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart