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The controversy surrounding the pitch at Brabourne Stadium here has resulted in the International Cricket Council (ICC) calling in pitch expert Andy Atkinson to apply a special kind of adhesive to facilitate consistent bounce.

His presence has been necessitated after several teams participating in this year’s Champion’s Trophy tournament complained about pitch not being of international standard, and prompting a series of low scores.

Atkinson’s application of adhesive will take place before Friday’s (today’s) match between New Zealand & Sri Lanka and final to be played on November 5.

Meanwhile, former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Raj Singh Dungarpur says uneven bounce of Brabourne Stadium pitch has been rectified.

“It was never going to be that CCI (Cricket Club of India) would lose its final. This was made clear to me when I met David Richards and now Malcolm Speed. If there was any doubt in that direction this wicket has proven. I think for a long time I have been watching cricket, this wicket will be one of our best wickets.

“I told you we would correct it. I am very proud to say we did something very simple which I don’t wish to say, but it succeeded,” he added.

Dungarpur said the pitch was left uncovered to allow it to absorb the dew. “The wicket was dry, water can’t be a substitute, but dew is. I had wicket uncovered, and there was plenty of dew. I went there at 11.30 PM, and there was plenty of dew. I went on to wicket at 5.30 AM and then at 6.30 AM. When I went out for a walk, I could realize there is going to be a clear sky and knew we have conquered whatever deficiency we have,” he explained.
Source:The News