Curious case of coincidence

The Pakistanis were lucky to have got their request granted in the ninth over of the Indian innings yesterday. However, the hosts’ plea during their bowling phase in that over today was not entertained.

Indian speedster Srinath’s wish to have a new ball for the old one met with lukewarm response from the umpires who were “satisfied with the ball” after thorough checking.

Srinath did not seem too happy, either with the old ball or with the rejection of his fervent plea.

Yesterday a brand new ball brought in for a nine-over-old ball during India’s innings, was surmised to have cost opener VVS Laxman’s wicket during the fag end of the day.

After Pakistani bowlers complained about the shape of the ball, umpires Steve Bucknor of West Indies and David Orchard of South Africa handed a new ball to paceman Shoaib Akhtar who struck for his team uprooting Laxman’s middle stump.

Much to the amusement of the 90,000 strong crowd, Pakistan closed with a score of 26 losing Wajahatullah Wasti’s lone wicket, the very score India had packed up with yesterday as Akhtar bowled Laxman out.

“Eden does have its share of surprises,” an avid cricket enthusiast commented.

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was also all praise for the Eden Pitch after today’s play.

“After Chennai and Delhi, this pitch seems the best of them all,” he said hoping at the same time that the initially “flat pitch” would get even better tomorrow.