Perth has witnessed rain for the past few days, and the field was closed for the entire day on Tuesday (November 19, 2024), reducing the preparation time for the curators. File | Photo Credit: VV Krishnan
WACA chief curator Isaac McDonald said on Wednesday (20 November 2024) that unusual rain in Perth had affected pitch preparations for the first Border-Gavaskar Cup Test, and although he did not expect the surface to be “snake-cracked”, there would still be plenty of bounce. and bring
The surface at Optus Stadium or the nearby WACA ground is known for its speed and bounce, and when the cracks open up in the dry, it offers more help to the bowlers in addition to bringing spinners.
Some of these cracks are often snake-shaped and are therefore called “snake cracks”.
The city has been witnessing rain for the past few days, and the grounds were closed for the entire day on Tuesday (November 19, 2024), reducing the preparation time for the curators.
“Well, it’s definitely not a traditional Perth Test preparation. Yesterday we almost lost the whole day of preparation with the closure. So we saw the forecast early, and we started preparing earlier than usual. So we sat quite comfortably. It’s better when the sun comes out and we do task, but as of this morning we’re in a good place; we’re really comfortable as a curation team,” McDonald told the media ahead of the series opener, which starts on Friday (November 22, 2024).”
The pitch can withstand match-day humidity, effectively eliminating the possibility of major damage over the five days.
“I don’t think the weather will make this pitch collapse. There will be some damage; the grass will stand up during the game and sacrifices that bounce variable, but in terms of snake wide cracks READ, unfortunately, I don’t think the weather will take us there,” said the chief curator.
The forecast is clear for Friday (November 22, 2024) as well as the remaining four days, but temperatures are unlikely to rise drastically. Mr. McDonald wants the sun to come out of the clouds as early as possible so that the surface can act close to the traditional nature.
“I mean, everyone is talking about the traditional cake from the top. We can make it with more rolling and less water on top if we have to. We’re trying wickets hour by hour, so that’s enough based on the current conditions. So at the moment we’re leaning towards rolling it a bit more on top to get that firmness and that medium like between the bat and the ball. But yeah, fingers crossed, the sun is out,” he said.
Pakistan recently bundled out Australia for 140 in an ODI at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Grass cover is expected to be low for limited-overs games, 4 mm to be exact. At least double that for the India-Australia Test opener.
“How much grass will we see before throwing? We still have to try and get to the point where we think it will be good on Friday (November 22, 2024). We are still around the ballpark; 8 to 10 mm was also there last year,” he said. .
“So, we sat comfortably and talked quite openly in the curation team about what felt appropriate and where to go. There is still a good pace and bounce on the field. It will only come down to how well they look after the ball and how well the surface remains . We are meant to get to 30-32 degrees at the end of the week, so we will see what the grass is above it, but in terms of coming from the crack, I just don’t think we will get there, “said Mr. McDonald.
Perth hosts the opening game of the marquee series, and will certainly put pressure on the groundstaff. However, Mr. McDonald was not feeling the heat.
“I don’t think it’s pressure; it doesn’t change what I do. I still need to deliver the best playing surface I can. So about pressure, I don’t know if we, another word for pressure, I guess, you know. It is good to be the first test. The excitement around it is good. The buzz is good. The energy in our team is great. And that’s what we hope for every year,” he said. He chose to remain on the fence when asked what he would do if he won the draw on Friday (November 22, 2024).
“It’s higher than my salary, honey. I think we’re setting ourselves up really well for it. Everything that leads to get that rock hard pitch come Friday (November 22, 2024) morning, and as I said, the person higher than My salary will pick and see what they do,” Mr McDonald added.
Published – November 21, 2024 02:10 IST
