Red Stripe Bowl: Batsmen praise pitch (13 October 1998)

13 October 1998

Red Stripe Bowl: Batsmen praise pitch

Tony Becca, Senior Sport Editor

Based on the evidence of how it played on Saturday and Sunday during the Red Stripe Bowl tournament, and the promise of how it will play after it has settled and been rolled some more, the new pitch at Sabina Park should be a beauty.

That is the opinion of former Jamaica and West Indies batsman Maurice Foster and present Barbados and West Indies batsman Philo Wallace.

On January 29, the first Test between the West Indies and England was abandoned after 10.1 overs because the pitch was ruled too dangerous for play. It was relaid, and although a few practice matches were played on it, Saturday's match - Jamaica versus the Leeward Islands, and Sunday's - Jamaica against Barbados, were the first real tests.

"It is an excellent pitch," said Foster yesterday, "and I am very happy about that - especially as a member of the Jamaica Cricket Board of Control. It was a bit slow on Saturday morning, but that was because of the preparation moisture. I believe it will be good and fast. I think it will be one of the best pitches at Sabina for a long time."

Wallace, who blasted the Jamaica bowling for 59 runs - including one six and eight fours, is also satisfied with the pitch.

"It is a very good pitch," said the Barbados captain. "Obviously a lot of work has been put into it. It played well. There was a bit of sheen on it, and a bit of bounce. With a bit more rolling, it should really be great for the first class season which starts in January."

Two other batsmen, former Jamaica and West Indies representative Jeffrey Dujon and present Jamaica captain and West Indies batsman James Adams were not as lavish in their praise, but they also believed that it will settle into a good pitch.

"It held up OK for two days, it did play better on the second day, the top was good, and the ball did come onto the bat," said Dujon. "The question is what is under the surface, and if it will last for five days. In my opinion, it has not yet settled properly, but then the grass is yet to go deep enough. When that happens it should be ok - even though I doubt if the bounce on Saturday and Sunday will last."

The important thing, as far as Dujon is concerned, is that it does not appear that it will be a dangerous pitch.

"It played well for the two days," said Adams, who not only batted on it, but also bowled his left-arm spinners on it. "It is a good pitch. On the evidence of what I saw, it will favour batsmen. The pace is reasonable, and the bounce is reliable."

What pleased all four players was the surface of the pitch. They were happy that it rolled out level.

Following a ruling by the International Cricket Conference, the Sabina Park pitch will be inspected by representatives of both the ICC and the West Indies Cricket Board before it is passed fit for a Test match.

The second Test between the West Indies and Australia is scheduled for Sabina Park starting on March 13 next year.

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner (https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)