Magazine - SCG for the Pacers

By Editor in Cricket on 2nd Jan 2010 6:00

Given the history of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the Pakistan team management is mulling over the idea of playing two spinners in the second Test match starting January 3, but reports suggest that fast bowlers would get more purchase from the wicket.

SCG pitch curator Tom Parker said the track prepared for the match will offer "enough to the pacers" just like it did when Australia beat South Africa here last summer.  Australian speedster Peter Siddle took eight wickets in that match to hand over a 103 run defeat to the Proteas.

According to the curator, the pitch together with rainy conditions will allow the fast bowlers to do well in the Sydney Test starting from Sunday.

It drizzled in Sydney during the best part of Thursday and there are more such spells expected over the next couple of days. Parker said that in such conditions, the SCG pitch is unlikely to crack up too much even if the match is decided on the final day.

“We could have more showers on Tuesday and Wednesday,” Parker said in an interview on Thursday. “I don’t see the wicket is going to crack up like it has in past years. It would turn to some degree, it always does here. “Australia’s bowling attack, the quicks will play a big role,” he stressed.

Pakistan, who arrived in Sydney from Melbourne around noon on Thursday, took a long, hard look at the wicket and later the team management held a long meeting.

Team officials were still not ready to reveal the playing eleven for the match but is seems quite likely that the tourists might give up the idea of playing both Saeed Ajmal and fit-again Danish Kaneria in Sydney.

Kaneria missed the opening Test in Melbourne because of a finger injury but is now fully fit and seems almost certain to be a part of the line-up for the second Test. A final decision on whether to retain Ajmal — who failed to impress much in Melbourne — will be taken today (Friday) following a practice session at the SCG.

However, Australia opener Simon Katich believes that Pakistan will be dangerous opponents on a slow SCG pitch. Katich says the wicket is expected to take some turn.

"It's such a short turnaround, the key for us is to try to win that first hour come Sunday," Katich said. "The conditions here will no doubt suit them. The SCG spins a bit and it's a slower wicket so we know we’re going to be in for a contest," he added.

Source & More: www.thenews.com

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