PERTH: The groundsman in charge of the pitch for the crucial third Ashes Test at the WACA says the wicket is close to regaining its status as the fastest in world cricket.
The Perth pitch was once famed for lightning pace and bounce, making it a firm favourite with fast bowlers, but in recent years the wicket has lacked anything like its old venom. Ground curator Cam Sutherland said Tuesday he expected a lively wicket with a good covering of grass for the third Test, which starts on Thursday, though he admitted to ongoing frustrations in his bid to get the pitch back to its historical best. England take a 1-0 lead to Perth in the five-match series, and a win at the WACA would mean the tourists retain the Ashes.
Sutherland said there had been steady improvement since the wicket block was re-laid three years ago and he expected the WACA Ground to regain its quick reputation in the next few years. “Each year, the wicket block as it settles and compacts and gets harder, it is getting better. We think we are on the right track,” he said.
“The (Sheffield) Shield wickets have been pretty lively and pretty quick, we’ve been trying to get the Test wickets there and for one or two reasons haven’t been able to quite get there.” Sutherland said if the pitch performs as he expects in the Test, it will be a major step towards the WACA regaining its reputation.
Sutherland said he expected the third Test wicket to be a good cricket wicket offering something for both batsmen and bowlers.
WACA hoodoo no concern to England: Buoyant England will need to overcome a long hoodoo at the WACA as well as an Australian side scratching for form if they are to retain the Ashes in the third Test of the series starting Thursday.
The tourists hold a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series after a thumping innings victory in Adelaide following a draw in Brisbane, and a win in Perth would guarantee they keep hold of the Ashes they won back in England last year.
But England have a dismal record at a venue once famed for offering unrivalled pace and bounce, with just one victory in 11 attempts, way back in 1978 under skipper Brearley. Australia have won their past five Ashes clashes in Perth but England coach Andy Flower said the side were not daunted by the weight of history.
“England do have a poor record in Perth,” he said. “One win in 11 and that was back in 1978 in World Series Cricket days. Although the WACA has not boasted pace and bounce in recent years, curator Cam Sutherland has been talking up the possibility of a lively pitch with a healthy covering of grass.
