Pitch defended

Press, 15 February 1989, Page 38

Pitch defended

The Auckland Cricket Association chairman, Peter McDermott, is confident the Eden Park pitch for the third test against Pakistan later this month will be the best for the series. He described criticism of the pitch made by the Christchurch radio commentator Peter Sharp, at the week-end as hysterical, emotional and illfounded. And there was absolutely no basis for suggestions the test would be removed from Eden Park because of concern that the pitch would not be up to standard. ‘‘The New Zealand Cricket Council chairman, Barry Paterson, has been in touch with us and has accepted the assurances of myself and the groundsman on the pitch, though the right has been reserved for an independent report if need be,” Mr McDermott said.

The problem with the

pitch had been caused by Auckland’s unusually wet summer and the fact it had been covered so much. Consequently very little grass had grown. “It may look a little bald certainly but we are working on making it as hard and as flat as possible,” he said.

There was a possibility it may take spin but that was part of the game.

It also had to be remembered that New Zealand had spin bowlers of its own and all the advantages may not necessarily be with Pakistan and its great leg spinner, Abdul Qadir. Mr McDermott pointed out New Zealand’s last test win in India had been achieved by John Bracewell’s offspin. And three years ago at Eden Park, Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a win against Australia. Mr McDermott said Auckland cricket officials were dumbfounded by Mr

Sharp’s criticism and could not understand the motivation. It was especially mystifying because the actual test pitch had not yet been chosen. At Eden Park’s main oval earlier this year, double centuries were scored by Graeme Hick and Phil Horne in a Shell Trophy match. This pitch, however, could not be used for the test and, in fact, was soon to be dug up and its Port Albert soil replaced.

Mr McDermott emphasised, however, there was little cause to be too apprehensive about the Eden Park pitch for the test.

“In my opinion a much bigger issue is that another test has not been slotted in to replace the washed out game in Dunedin,” he said. “I share the disappointment expressed by Martin Crowe and Richard Hadlee that we are not having another test.” w