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Lahore, April 11: Another lively and
grassy track awaits the Indian cricket team in the third Test against
Pakistan, with the home team hoping to give their battery of fast
bowlers the right conditions for a series-clinching triumph. The pitch
at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the venue of the decider, has a lot
of grass on it and indications are that a fast track would be prepared
by the hosts.
Although the track was still being
prepared, it is expected that some of the grass would be left on it even
after the groundsmen are through with their job. Unlike the track at the
Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where the turf was dry in nature, the pitch
here has a more greenish tinge, which would help the fast bowlers,
especially in the opening session of the match.
Neither English curator Andy Atkinson,
overseeing the preparation of pitches in Pakistan, nor local expert
Mohammad Bashir were willing to comment on how much grass would be left
on the track. Indian team coach John Wright said it was still early to
comment on the pitch but predicted a Lahore-type wicket, which would
assist the bowlers in the initial stages.
"It will have a little bit for the
bowlers in the early stages. It will be critical to bat well till the
lunch break, after that it may ease out. It appears to be somewhat
similar to the Lahore track," Wright said. (Agencies)
Published: Sunday, April 11, 2004
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