Edgbaston’s ‘jelly’ Pitch report can’t fool Ponting
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is determined not to be fooled by Edgbaston’s ‘jelly’ pitch report that similarly had ruined their Ashes dreams four years ago and said he would better wait and watch this time.
In 2005 Ashes Tests, Ponting was flayed for bowling first without injured pacer Glenn McGrath after concerns that heavy rain would make the pitch a minefield.
Four years down the lane, Ponting finds himself in a similar situation with Edgbaston’s groundsman Steve Rouse claiming that heavy rain has delayed the preparation of the pitch for the third Test and the wicket is a bit like a jelly.
But the Australian skipper said this time he will assess the pitch early next week before forming any notion.
“That’s what we got told last time. That’s the reason we ended up bowling first in 2005,” Ponting was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.
“We were told exactly the same thing for the week leading up. There had been a cyclone and a tornado that had gone through Birmingham and wicket preparation was miles behind.
“It was overcast on that day so we won the toss and bowled. And the thing (the ball) didn’t move off the straight for the whole day.
“I’m not sure I’ll be falling for that one this time around. We’ll wait and see,” added the Australian skipper.
Ponting is currently on a three-day tour match against Northampton county team and would travel to Birmingham with the side tomorrow night after the match.
“We’ll have a look first thing Monday,” Ponting said of the pitch.
“It will be a good opportunity to have a look at the wicket and see how far advanced the preparation is and then hopefully, we’ll be able to make a more accurate forecast once we’re there.
“Last time around we probably got a bit carried away with what we heard and not going so much on the cold, hard facts of what we saw.
“The wicket looked OK there last time but with the overhead conditions, that’s what most captains here usually look at on the day. I’ve probably got a bit more experience with that this time around,” he added.
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