Australian skipper Michael Clarke scraped the news about the English curators deliberately preparing surfaces for the first two Ashes Tests in order to neuter the visitor’s pace attack. The curators at Cardiff and Lord’s received heaps of criticism for what many have believed were lifeless wickets. While the home team won the first Test on the flat track, however the same track at Lord’s back-fired against England, giving Australia an excellent comeback by a 405-run victory. READ: Jonny Bairstow believes he is in the best form of his career
Meanwhile, the New South Wales cricketer insisted that the unknown pitch conditions is one of the characteristics of Test cricket, and one that should continue at all venues worldwide.
According to a report from Cricket Australia, the skipper believed that the current assertion regarding the about the pitches produced so far in this Ashes series are completely unjustified and suggested that he never cared about the pitches and a team can find a way to take 20 wickets if they have a good bowling attack. READ: Australia levelling an Ashes series in the second Test after losing the first
“It’s funny, Cardiff and Lord’s were both spoken about saying the wicket was too flat, yet we’ve just had two Test matches that have only gone four days each.
“I’m not really bothered to be honest. I like seeing cricket played that there’s something in there for everyone: the brand new-ball bowlers get a bit of swing or a bit of seam while the ball is new; as a batsman it’s hard to start but once you get into the game it’s a good wicket to bat on; and then I like to see a bit of spin as the game goes on as well,” Clarke said.
“I’m unsure what they’re going to try and prepare now (for the third Test in Edgbaston), and that’s part of playing international cricket and travelling around the world – of course you’re not going to make the wickets like they are in Australia. England have to have the wickets how they’re comfortable, India have the wickets how they’re comfortable, and we have what we have in Australia,” he added.
After the two Tests, England and Australia are at 1-1, with the third game commencing at Birmingham on Thursday.
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