A batsman’s paradise

SO WHAT’S NEW…The two Mumbai players, Vinod Kambli (left) and Abey Kuruvilla chatting during practice prior to India’s key clash against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium.

MUMBAI, May 16: “This strip is better than the ones I prepared for the Titan Cup final and Mohinder Amarnath benefit match. It should assist the batsmen and is an ideal one-day track,” opined Subhash Bandiwadekar, the curator of the Wankhede Stadium pitch which takes centrestage on Saturday with the Independence Cup clash between India and Sri Lanka.

Bandiwadekar, the former Mumbai Ranji wicketkeeper, revealed that the the top layer of the track is new and the soil according to him used in its preparation is the “Surat soil”.

Though batsmen are expected to hold the upperhand on the 22-yard course tomorrow, Bandiwdekar is quick to add, “provided they (players) don’t ditch me.”