WACA pitch passed fit for Test
BRISBANE - The controversial wicket block at the WACA Ground has been given a clean bill of health for Australia's attempt at cricketing history this weekend
Michael Crutcher
27-Nov-2000
BRISBANE - The controversial wicket block at the WACA Ground has been given
a clean bill of health for Australia's attempt at cricketing history this
weekend.
WACA curator Richard Winter said he was confident of producing a "genuine
cricket wicket" for Friday's second Test between Australia and the West
Indies despite the problems earlier this month.
The WACA Ground created unwanted history earlier this season when a one-day
match between Western Australia and Queensland was abandoned after just five
overs because of the unpredictable state of the wicket.
But Winter described that as a "one-off" occurence because of unfavourable
weather conditions, insisting Australian skipper Steve Waugh could rely on a
good deck for his team's shot at a world record 12th consecutive win.
"It's all looking pretty good at the moment and it should be a genuine
cricket wicket from the WACA with some pace and bounce during the first
couple of days," Winter said.
"It will be nice and flat with an even grass cover and it will test out the
techniques of the top order batsmen."
That assessment should be a warning for the Windies batsmen after Waugh
rated their techniques not up to Test standard during the opening clash in
Brisbane last weekend.
The Windies were bundled out for 82 and 124, placing serious doubts over
their ability to handle the Australian pace attack on the opening days at
the WACA.
They struggled against Western Australia earlier this month, folding for 132
and 293 on a different strip to the Test wicket.
"That was a little bit different because that wicket cracked down the centre
and this (Test) wicket won't crack to that extent," Winter said.
"We're using the same strip that was used for the last two Tests here and it
will turn out to be a good batting wicket but the batsmen will have to be
patient across the first couple of days."
Australia won its last three Tests in Perth but the Windies have a flawless
record, winning all five of their previous Tests at the ground.
The tourists have been so dominant at the WACA, they have not lost a second
innings wicket in four of the five victories.