Grass on pitch makes Woolmer happy

Under-fire Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer visited the National Stadium, venue for the third and final Test against India, and had a close look at the pitch being prepared for the series decider.

Woolmer had a chat with the curators— Haji Bashir and Ehsan Arian— after having a look at the pitch and was learnt to have praised the track on which the crucial rubber begins on Sunday.

"He was very happy with the square and said he had not seen such a well-maintained square anywhere in Pakistan. He also appeared pleased with the hardness of the pitch and the grass on it," a source was quoted as saying in local daily The News.

"Woolmer however felt the grass needed to be levelled to avoid uneven bounce for the bowlers," the source added.

The pitch has become a debating point in the current series after the first two Tests in Lahore and Faisalabad provided a run-feast before ending in tame draws.

Fingers have also been pointed at Woolmer for not doing enough to ensure sporting wickets for the matches.

One of the curators of the National Stadium vouched for the track producing a result.

"The pitch has primarily become result-oriented by nature in the last few seasons and we've had results in domestic games even at this time of the year on similar pitches. I'm confident this pitch will play sportingly and offer encouragement to the bowlers," he said.

He said the first and last session should see wickets falling as the strong breeze blowing across the ground aids the pace bowlers capable of reverse swinging the ball and quality spinners.

First Published: Jan 27, 2006 17:17 IST