The return of sticky wickets

An innovative technique to balance wicket conditions is being trialled at Old Trafford. Peter Marron, the groundsman there for the last 22 years, has been applying a glue-resin directly on the pitch to bind it together to prevent wearing, with particular emphasis on the one-day game to ensure the pitch condition remains the same for both batting sides.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Marron said: "Everybody thought I was joking when I first suggested trying it on the net pitches, and I admit I had a laugh when it was first suggested to me. But in fact the substance used is a glue-resin, PVA, which bonds and seals the surface so that conditions remain the same for both sides in the course of a one-day game."

Marron has been experimenting on the net pitches at Old Trafford, which have proved successful, providing "consistently hard, long-life strips." The wicket used for the one-day game between the England and Sri Lanka Under-19s yesterday was due to use Marron's pioneering technique, but the match was called off after four overs due to bad weather.