Extra cover, a pressing need for Tests

Pakistan, October 22: The second Test match fizzled out to a draw primarily because of rain and inadequate covering of the pitch and the su...

Pakistan, October 22: The second Test match fizzled out to a draw primarily because of rain and inadequate covering of the pitch and the surrounding areas. The rain got through under the covers to wet the pitch and there was no machine to mop up surface water in the outfield. We even had a ridiculous situation on the third day when the groundsman would not turn the pitch over to the umpires as fit to start play because there were a couple of damp patches.

The sun was out 8212; spectators wanted to see play 8212; the run-ups and outfield were fit and yet the groundsman would not let the play begin until the pitch was perfectly dry! There is nothing in the rules which says the pitch has to be perfectly dry before you play on it.

In the end the Match Referee became so exasperated with the delay that he overruled the groundsman and told the umpires to get the game started. It ought to be an ICC rule that Test matches are only allocated to grounds if they have satisfactory covering. Which should mean tarpaulins to cover the pitch run-ups and old used pitches on the square.

What cricket we had was interesting and entertaining with runs coming quickly because of the small ground.

The pitch was a slow turner8217; 8212; so much for the Pakistan Cricket Board8217;s PCB intention to produce result-oriented pitches! One look at the pitch on the first morning and suddenly the two fastest bowlers had slightest injuries and were rested 8212; Alan Donald thigh strain and Waqar Younis a bruised heel. Jacques Kallis had an emergency appendix operation just before he was due to play and has already gone home to recover.

The plusses that come out of the match for Pakistan were the form and fitness of their bowlers. Wasim Akram bowled better than anyone could have expected of him after being out of the game with an injured bowling shoulder.

KLUSENER, A DYNAMITE: Captain Cronje is the best player of the spinners. He lets the ball come to him and he has the confidence to play with the spin into the close catchers. But the real strength of South Africa8217;s batting is Pollock and Klusener coming in at No 7 and No 8. Pollock can temper sound defence with fiercely hit shots. This young man has the ability to become a world class all-rounder. Once he realises the potential he has, he will blossom to become a wonderful batsman who can make centuries. The only reason he got out was because he was running out of partners so he tried to farm8217; the bowling. Klusener is a different batsman. He is left handed dynamite!

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From the word go8217; he tries to bludgeon the bowlers. Immensely strong with a great eye he strikes any bowler to parts of the field they don8217;t expect. In no time at all he can counter-attack and be so destructive. A very dangerous selective striker of a wicked ball.

The word is that Faisalabad will have a little grass on the pitch and with all the rain about it should help the seamers. I8217;ve heard all this before 8212; I8217;ll only believe it if and when I actually see it.