Magazine - Les Burdett has Drawn Stumps

By Editor in Cricket on 5th Jul 2010 9:15

After 41 summers preparing cricket wickets at Adelaide Oval, world renowned curator Les Burdett has drawn stumps on his career, downplaying his influence on the game.

Having announced his intention to retire earlier this year, Burdett farewelled his beloved turf on Friday.  And despite his great reputation as a master of his craft, he preferred attention stayed focussed on the players.

"It's up to the players to play the game," said Burdett, who has helped serve up wickets for international and domestic cricket since joining the oval staff in 1969.  "It's a contest between a piece of leather and a bat made out of willow and may the best team win.

"Too often people look at the scoreboard and say how the pitch has played rather than looking at the class of the players who are performing."

While he prepared surfaces for many of the world's greatest cricketers he reserves his fondest memories for the great South Australians. Although he admits his soft spot for the home team, Burdett said he had never prepared a pitch intended to favour South Australia or Australia.

Source & More: news.smh.com.au

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