Eden Gardens' famed groundsman, Prabir Mukherjee, has been involved in a bizarre row with India captain MS Dhoni over the kind of pitch that will be used, though their differences have now been put aside.
Dhoni wanted a "square turner" prepared to aid his big-turning spinners according to Mukherjee - a demand the 83-year-old groundsman dismissed as "immoral."
But Mukherjee said that whilst the wicket that will be used was played on two weeks ago, it will help the England bowlers as much as their India counterparts.
"Cricket should be played on pitches of true pace and true bounce," Mukherjee said.
"Games should be decided by the quality of the player, not the pitch. It should be the way they bowl that matters. It is not about the pitch.
"This pitch was used for (Bengal's) Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat. They were 18-5 in their second innings but they fought back and the match was drawn. Swann and Panesar will enjoy this pitch. They bowl line and length. The pitch will have good pace and bounce."
Sounds like a true gent who has strong ideas on how cricket should be played
Hats off to Prabir Mukherjee
posted on 3/12/12
Nothing more than mind games this. There is no chance a groundsman will go against Dhoni and BCCI. Dhoni will get his wish but they must fear how the England spinners out bowled the Indian spinners.
posted on 3/12/12
I don't doubt that groundsman prepare pitches for the home teams in series, heck they would be silly not to.
With this scenario though preparing a strip for spinners may favour neither side. I created the article mainly because I liked the line "Cricket should be played on pitches of true pace and true bounce," All I can say is don't show him some of the pitches in Bangladesh
posted on 3/12/12
I`m not falling for it....
Its just a trick, they`re trying to kid us into playing Broad
posted on 3/12/12
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posted on 3/12/12
If mr 82mph plays, I wont be watching....
posted on 3/12/12
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posted on 3/12/12
So`s Gary Lineker, but I wouldn`t play him...
posted on 3/12/12
I'd say Finn and meaker would both get the nod ahead of broad on current form. Think they'll go Finn though.
I do think broad has a future in this test side, just looks jaded and out of form at the moment
posted on 4/12/12
Ha! Ha! Ha!...love it..
I`m not falling for it....
Its just a trick, they`re trying to kid us into playing Broad
Onya Sprinkler...
posted on 5/12/12
actually...lineker aint a bad cricketer....broad however...is.