New Delhi's historic Feroz Shah Kotla ground will come under scrutiny when it hosts a high-profile World Cup match between South Africa and the West Indies after an international ban.
The ground was banned from hosting international matches in December 2009 when a one day international between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned after just 23.3 overs due to the "dangerous" nature of the playing surface.
It has hosted Indian Premier League matches since but with no World Cup warm-up game at the stadium, it is unclear how the pitch will behave.
Star South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis said he was not losing sleep over the track for their opening Group B encounter at the stadium, named after the 14th-century Mughal emperor of Delhi, Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
"I haven't had a look at the wicket. I have seen it during the IPL and it wasn't too bad.
"Probably it's not going to be a 300-350 wicket. We do have the balance in the team that can play on any type of wicket."
Local cricket officials appeared determined to avoid a repeat of the 2009 embarrassment and have been going the extra mile to ensure the track comes up to scratch.
"I am not overly concerned but I will be able to sleep peacefully only after Thursday," said Delhi and District Cricket Association vice-president Chetan Chauhan.
"We did not lose (out) much on cricket, but the stigma of having been banned was tough to come to terms with. We have worked hard on the wicket and I am sure we will pull it off without any glitches," added the former India Test opener.
International Cricket Council pitch consultant Andy Atkinson has also been in New Delhi since last Friday.
"Yeah, the pitch preparation is my responsibility," Atkinson told the Mail Today newspaper.
"I am sure it will behave well this time. I am here till February 28 to see the second match (between the West Indies and Holland) through."
Atkinson's efforts took a slight knock with unseasonal rains in New Delhi but he is pleased to see the sun shining again.
"The sun is out but it's like lacking the warmth. I wish it shines brightly because it is winter and the grass doesn't grow here in winter."
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Ponting criticized for breaking TV
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting apologised for smashing an LCD screen in the team's dressing room following his run out in the ICC World Cup 2011 opener against Zimbabwe, but his behaviour came under severe criticism from former cricketers.
The incident took place immediately after Ponting was run out by a direct hit from the deep by Zimbabwe's Chris Mpofu in the Group A clash between the two teams.
An agitated Ponting was seen talking angrily to himself as he walked back to the dressing room and, in a state of fury, threw his gear, which accidentally hit the LCD monitor.
Ponting, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) officials claimed, immediately apologised and requested the authorities for a replacement, said the Australian team's media manager Lachy Paterson.
While Ponting is unlikely to face any disciplinary action if an ICC source is to be believed, his action didn't go down well with the cricketing fraternity.
"The dressing room is supposed to be sacrosanct so I am a little bit disappointed. That sort of behaviour ... you don't want to hear about during a World Cup. You want to hear about Ricky Ponting making a 100, not messing up in the dressing room," said South Africa great Barry Richards.
"But one thing is obvious that there is a lot of pressure on him to try and win the World Cup," added Richards.
Former India cricketer Arun Lal was scathing in his criticism of Ponting.
"It's awful. If you are disappointed, there is no reason to turn violent. You are disappointed, you made a mistake, an error of judgement. Everybody is disappointed but how does that mean that you come and throw your kit."
"It's too childish, grow up, for God's sake. You are playing the World Cup, you are an idol for the next generation," said Lal.
"It's unfortunate, it's a bit of an accident. I have played with a lot of international cricketers, there is frustration but, as Barry said, the dressing room is sacrosanct," said former England batsman Graeme Hick.
This is not the first time an Australian cricketer has been involved in breaching the ICC's code of conduct in the dressing room.
Former opener Matthew Hayden was fined and severely reprimanded after an ugly incident in which he was charged with breaking the glass panel in the dressing room following an lbw dismissal in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the SCG in 2003.
Thanks to his previously clean record, Hayden was let off with a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee.
The incident took place immediately after Ponting was run out by a direct hit from the deep by Zimbabwe's Chris Mpofu in the Group A clash between the two teams.
An agitated Ponting was seen talking angrily to himself as he walked back to the dressing room and, in a state of fury, threw his gear, which accidentally hit the LCD monitor.
Ponting, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) officials claimed, immediately apologised and requested the authorities for a replacement, said the Australian team's media manager Lachy Paterson.
While Ponting is unlikely to face any disciplinary action if an ICC source is to be believed, his action didn't go down well with the cricketing fraternity.
"The dressing room is supposed to be sacrosanct so I am a little bit disappointed. That sort of behaviour ... you don't want to hear about during a World Cup. You want to hear about Ricky Ponting making a 100, not messing up in the dressing room," said South Africa great Barry Richards.
"But one thing is obvious that there is a lot of pressure on him to try and win the World Cup," added Richards.
Former India cricketer Arun Lal was scathing in his criticism of Ponting.
"It's awful. If you are disappointed, there is no reason to turn violent. You are disappointed, you made a mistake, an error of judgement. Everybody is disappointed but how does that mean that you come and throw your kit."
"It's too childish, grow up, for God's sake. You are playing the World Cup, you are an idol for the next generation," said Lal.
"It's unfortunate, it's a bit of an accident. I have played with a lot of international cricketers, there is frustration but, as Barry said, the dressing room is sacrosanct," said former England batsman Graeme Hick.
This is not the first time an Australian cricketer has been involved in breaching the ICC's code of conduct in the dressing room.
Former opener Matthew Hayden was fined and severely reprimanded after an ugly incident in which he was charged with breaking the glass panel in the dressing room following an lbw dismissal in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the SCG in 2003.
Thanks to his previously clean record, Hayden was let off with a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee.
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