jeetu
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http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/...e-long-game-in-second-test-against-black-caps
"Like trying to bake a cake without an oven."
That's the concoction Seddon Park turf manager Karl Johnson and his crew have been trying to manufacture for the second cricket test between New Zealand and Pakistan which starts at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Friday.
A lack of sunshine and a surplus of rain over the past two months has meant the pitch for the five-day encounter has been tough to prepare.
"We do have a recipe that we use around preparing our pitch, and part of that is what happens upstairs," Johnson said.
"We do factor in losing time for weather. But it hasn't been easy."
Johnson said a recent burst of sun and warmth had been a massive help.
"Up until about five or six days ago, it was pretty hopeless," he said of the Hamilton spring weather.
"It has been frustrating and tough; my guys have done an awesome job to get us where we are at at this stage."
The wicket soaked up some morning sun in Hamilton on Wednesday before being covered during the afternoon as the sun still beat down.
In the only first-class match played at Seddon Park so far this season, 40 wickets fell as only 617 runs were scored between Northern Districts and Canterbury.
But that was held during the worst of the spring weather earlier this month, with interruptions for rain throughout.
The pitch to be used for the second test will be two strips over from that Shield wicket, and is the same one used for last December's test against Sri Lanka. That was a low-scoring affair that was completed in four days. but that was chiefly due to some ill-disciplined batting from both sides, rather than any terrors in the wicket - batting first after being sent in, Sri Lanka reached 264-7 at the end of day one.
Johnson said the aim as always was "to produce a good test pitch".
"The patumahoe clay this pitch is on is showing us that we're getting some good pace and good bounce, so for us it's pretty much around finishing off the surface so that it doesn't do too much on day one."
"It's a fine balance between that and not doing enough - that's always a challenge. Our numbers and samples mean we're comfortable where we're at - we just need to finish off the surface that helps with pace and bounce."
However, the warm fine weather isn't forecast to last - rain is expected on Friday afternoon and possibly Sunday too.
"Like trying to bake a cake without an oven."
That's the concoction Seddon Park turf manager Karl Johnson and his crew have been trying to manufacture for the second cricket test between New Zealand and Pakistan which starts at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Friday.
A lack of sunshine and a surplus of rain over the past two months has meant the pitch for the five-day encounter has been tough to prepare.
"We do have a recipe that we use around preparing our pitch, and part of that is what happens upstairs," Johnson said.
"We do factor in losing time for weather. But it hasn't been easy."
Johnson said a recent burst of sun and warmth had been a massive help.
"Up until about five or six days ago, it was pretty hopeless," he said of the Hamilton spring weather.
"It has been frustrating and tough; my guys have done an awesome job to get us where we are at at this stage."
The wicket soaked up some morning sun in Hamilton on Wednesday before being covered during the afternoon as the sun still beat down.
In the only first-class match played at Seddon Park so far this season, 40 wickets fell as only 617 runs were scored between Northern Districts and Canterbury.
But that was held during the worst of the spring weather earlier this month, with interruptions for rain throughout.
The pitch to be used for the second test will be two strips over from that Shield wicket, and is the same one used for last December's test against Sri Lanka. That was a low-scoring affair that was completed in four days. but that was chiefly due to some ill-disciplined batting from both sides, rather than any terrors in the wicket - batting first after being sent in, Sri Lanka reached 264-7 at the end of day one.
Johnson said the aim as always was "to produce a good test pitch".
"The patumahoe clay this pitch is on is showing us that we're getting some good pace and good bounce, so for us it's pretty much around finishing off the surface so that it doesn't do too much on day one."
"It's a fine balance between that and not doing enough - that's always a challenge. Our numbers and samples mean we're comfortable where we're at - we just need to finish off the surface that helps with pace and bounce."
However, the warm fine weather isn't forecast to last - rain is expected on Friday afternoon and possibly Sunday too.
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