Top groundsman may answer Lanka prayers

A flat pitch at a relatively small ground with some invitingly short boundaries is likely for the game. Frost said on Monday: 8220;It should be a good pitch for a one-day game. There will not be any moisture in it, although the white ball may move around if it is overcast early on.8221;

A key factor in producing a good pitch is an early start, according to Frost. 8220;I begin to prepare a pitch three and a half weeks before a match.8221;

Frost8217;s work on the surface was watched with keen interest by Lanka8217;s manager Duleep Mendis.

Nothing would encourage Mendis more than a true batting surface. He said: 8220;Our bowling and fielding is excellent but batting is the problem. It used to be the other way around.8221;