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Knowledge and Patience Required to get the University Oval Wicket Right
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Knowledge and Patience Required to get the University Oval Wicket Right
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Knowledge and Patience Required to get the University Oval Wicket Right
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By Rob Jenkins in Cricket on 7th Jan 2009 18:30
Topping off a rough summer for Australia's curators, Tom Parker has been given a serve over the state of the pitch for the final test at the SCG. This comes on top of criticism for Cameron Sutherland and the WACA, Cameron Hodgkins and the MCG and Kevin Mitchell and the GABBA. All the pitches were talking points this summer. The Telstra Dome's surface also receiving its share of negative comments, so are our groundsmen getting a raw deal?
The most recent criticism falls upon veteran SCG curator Tom Parker. The SCG and Tom have arguably copped the full brunt of the media wrath, but has it been warranted? 
The last test of the summer has been a great spectacle and has had plenty of wickets and runs. The summer of cricket has been an entertaining one, arguably one of best in a number of years, not just because the Aussies have had it served up to them, but also because of the variety of our pitches.
The first Test of the summer at the Gabba, and the 2nd Test at the Adelaide Oval between NZ and Australia, provided plenty of runs, wickets and more importantly results. The tests could have been closer, but those results can't be blamed on the curator.
The test series against South Africa has been outstanding. Cameron Sutherland received a fair bit of criticism for his pitch, Australian captain Ponting among others, stated it was too flat. The change in the WACA pitch over the years has to be expected, with Cameron unable to use the same clay available to previous curators, due to the clay there being depleted. This has affected the famous bounce and pace. However, the test at the WACA was engrossing, it had plenty of unexpected turns and resulted in a hard fought win for the South Africans.
The Melbourne test was another great match. Not quite the same twists and turns as the WACA match, but again a drop in pitch that provided a result with plenty of runs and more importantly wickets. The MCG gets my vote for best presented oval for both test series. Cameron Hodgkins and his team produced a stunning outfield, it looked great on television and even better at the ground. The pattern looked as if it had been painted on, some long man hours would have been spent producing such bright, straight lines in multiple directions. 
As I write this I'm sitting on the edge of my seat listening to Australia try to bowl out South Africa. What a test match it's been. Good runs, plenty of wickets and best of all a thrilling finish. I don't think Tom could have written a better script for the ending. There has been dropped catches, broken hands, centuries and test debutantes. I will agree the pitch doesn't look great on the fifth day, but what pitch does after five days of wear and tear? Half the spectacle in a test match is a few cracks popping up, and the ball keeping low or bouncing and kicking.
Tom Parker last two international test pitches have given us two of the best finishes to a test match in recent memory. I don't think Tom needs to utter a word in his defence this afternoon, I think a rye smile would be worth a thousand words.
Let's not Les Burdett now in his fortieth season at the Adelaide Oval, what an effort it's been and what a number of brilliant pitches he's produced over his career to date. Les is still looking young and fit and might just have another forty years still left in him!
So while our curators weather the media storm surrounding our test summer of cricket, I would like to congratulate them all for a great start to the cricket season. Well done on some beautifully presented grounds and pitches. We all look forward to the one day series.
Read more articles in Cricket, by Rob Jenkins or from January 2009.
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Head Curator South Melbourne C C
