PCB sticks to home-grown groundsmen

Andy Atkinson: on his way © Getty Images

The Pakistan Cricket Board has dispensed with the services of Andy Atkinson, their English-born grounds advisor. Atkinson was criticised in the local media for the wicket preparations during the series against India in April.

The PCB statement said that local groundsmen had learnt much from Atkinson and that it did not see there would be a need to hire a foreigner again.

Atkinson was brought in by the board after criticism of dead pitches made by former players and officials. He is an adviser on pitches for the International Cricket Council.