Sir Curtly renews call for ‘better pitches’ on the heels of drawn Tests

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Sir Curtly Ambrose.
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By Neto Baptiste

Former West Indies fast bowler and cricket commentator, Sir Curtly Ambrose, has renewed his call for the preparation of “better pitches” in the Caribbean following two drawn Tests between West Indies and Sri Lanka here at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (SVRCG).

Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, Sir Curtly labelled the pitch at the North Sound venue as “placid”, adding that it offered very little to the bowlers. 

“I have seen local cricket played at Sir Viv Richards cricket stadium where you have grass on the pitch and the ball bounces and carries with good pace … so it’s not a situation where it cannot be done. I felt that the pitches were a little too flat and I’ve been saying this for years — we need to prepare better cricket pitches where the batsmen could play their strokes and the ball bounces a bit for the bowlers,” he said. 

A total of 2,237 runs were scored across eight innings in the two Tests as bowlers found it difficult to pick up regular wickets.

Sir Curtly believes it was not for a lack of trying.

“I thought Jimbo [Rahkeem Cornwall] really tried the best he could and none of the spinners really had an impact on both Test matches because most of the wickets were taken by the seam bowlers even though it [the pitch] was placid and it [bowling] was hard work, so no one could really fault Jimbo because none of the spinners really played a part from both teams,” he said.

Coach of the West Indies team, Phil Simmons also urged authorities in the Caribbean to prepare more results-oriented pitches following the recent series.

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