May 13, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 7, 1429

KANPUR, May 12: Stung by International Cricket Council’s (ICC) criticism of Green Park Stadium’s pitch here, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UCPA) is on damage control mode and has already started preparing a track for the next international match at the venue, a One-day International between India and England in November.

As a precautionary measure, the UPCA has started working on the 22-yard strip to avoid a repeat of any pitch controversy.

“We have already started preparation of the pitch for the match to be played at the end of this year,” Green Park pitch curator Shivkumar said.

A few days back, the ICC censured the BCCI for the “poor quality” of the pitch after the third and final Test between India and South Africa ended here last month in three days with as many as 32 wickets falling.

An understandably annoyed South African coach Micky Arthur said the track was one of the most under-prepared in the world.

The ICC recommended the BCCI take remedial action to ensure such a pitch is never prepared in future at the said venue.—Agencies