Pitches should produce 150 plus scores for CPL matches – curator
By Akeem Greene
Head Curator of the pitches at the National Stadium, Providence Wasim Habib is expecting a balanced playing surface which should produce good scores for Guyana Amazon Warriors four matches.
The facility, known for its fast drying outfield, has unfortunately produced slow and difficult pitches for batting which ideally is not conducive to the T20 version of the sport.
However last year four pitches were re-laid which corresponded in some high scores in the West Indies/Pakistan three-match series in April.
“The re-laid pitches for the Pakistan series were very good. We had 300 in the first match which the team chased very well and then two scores over 230 which are not bad. The pitches are settling down and they may not be so quick but it should be bouncy. I think 150 to 160 should be a good score on this pitch”, Habib explained in an interview with Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday.
Wasim Habib inspects one of the two pitches expected to be used for the four matches at Providence
Prior to departing these shores, Warriors would have played three practice matches two of that had scores below 130 and one hitting the 160-mark which gave some cause of concern.
Habib explained that the rainy weather then would have put a damp on the preparation but recently they have experienced good weather which has aided in more pristine preparation.
“We were having very bad weather at the Providence Stadium for the last three months. Rain does not miss this ground. It is an area where rain always falls and it was difficult for us to prepare the pitch during practice time and that was the reason we had low scores. Over the last few days we have good weather and we hope it continues like this throughout the matches”, the curator disclosed.
He also posited that dew will be factor given three of the matches will start at 18:00 hrs.
Meanwhile, Assistant Manager of the facility Mahinder Ghansham explained that they are 100% logistics wise.
Regarding the safety of patrons for the capacity crowd that is expected to rock Providence, Ghansham said recent meetings where held with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that all protocols be followed.
The Warriors first of four home matches begin on Thursday with a clash against the Jamaica Tallawahs followed by Trinbago Knight Riders from 12 noon on Saturday. They then play Barbados Tridents on Sunday from 18:00 hrs and their final match will be against St Lucia Stars on Tuesday from 18:00 hrs.
