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| January 16, 2006 | Monday | Zilhaj 15, 1426 |
Woolmer calls for sporting pitches
LAHORE, Jan 15: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Sunday urged country’s cricket authorities to prepare sporting wickets to make the Test matches entertaining and result oriented. Without criticising anyone, Woolmer said that he would not like to place the responsibility on anyone for preparing such a flat track for the first Test.
“A sporting wicket provides equal chances to both batsmen and bowlers to perform and it was also helpful for positive cricket,” remarked Woolmer.
The coach, however, said that the ground staff might not have had appropriate time to prepare the wicket due to bad weather.
He said that if the same weather conditions continued the Test could end in a tame draw.
Only 73 minutes’ play was possible on the third day due to bad light and was hopeful for a sporting wicket in the second Test in Faisalabad.
He said that he would like to advise his bowlers to gain experience from this pitch and force Indian batsmen to commit mistakes.
Woolmer believed his bowlers were capable of doing a good job on this wicket but the weather did not allow them to display their true potential.
He said that Shoaib Akhtar was slightly troubled by a sore ankle but was not serious and he would continue to ball.
Woolmer was all praise for Indian opener Virender Sehwag despite batting under pressure.
“Sehwag is a good opener, particularly his performance against Pakistan is most impressive,” he said.
He was, however, surprised over the decision of Indian captain Rahul Dravid to open the innings.
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