GerryShedd wrote:
I know that I have defended our groundsman and his pitches on here, probably to the annoyance of others. But the fact that this match is being played on the same pitch that was used for Finals Day is very worrying - it's not surprising that it has deteriorated massively.
I get the fact that the Edgbaston square has to accommodate an enormous number of matches. But my suspicion, maybe unfounded, is that we will have a pristine new pitch for the first match in The Hundred.
The pitches for 4day cricket at Edgbaston are painfully slow and they just get slower and lower as the game goes on. Rhodes mentioned this in his post day interview with Radio WM's Mike Taylor yesterday, Robbo has mentioned it numerous times this season and last season. Its really hard work for the bowlers. My back hurts just watching Michael Burgess taking everything round by his ankles even on Day 1. And don't get me started on the Test match pitch!
It's not a knock on Barwell I must stress this, huge respect for him and his team, so hard working, it is a busy ground, so many matches, square gets a lot of use. I think it's just the way it is Edgbaston. It's never gonna be like Headingley or Old Trafford.
We don't exactly have a brilliant record of producing our own seamers through the pathway/academy, maybe the pitches are a factor? That might be a reach though I admit. An entirely different issue altogether.
This match won't live long in the memory.
Agreed 100% that somehow there will be something with a bit of pace and good carry for the Blundred though.