Unseasonal showers hinder pitch preparation at Eden Gardens

Unseasonal showers have suddenly affected the preparation of the pitch at the Eden Gardens. It rained the whole day on Monday. Even though there was no rainfall on Tuesday, the met office has predicted some more showers. As a result, the Cricket Association of Bengal is gearing up to tackle the situation. A special equipment to cover the pitch has been imported from England. The cost of the equipment, which is already in Kolkata, is 3775 pounds. The joint secretary of the CAB Debdas Bannerjee said on Tuesday that the equipment is lying with the Customs at the airport. "There are some formalities which are being worked out. By Wednesday we will have it ready in case of sudden showers," he said.

Meanwhile, the rolling of the pitch, which was affected on Monday resumed from today. The grass has been cut. However, some patches are quite green. A groundsman indicated that it would also be shaved very soon. According to a couple of the groundsman, the wicket will take spin, albeit slowly, from the third day onwards. However, most of those working on the pitch feel that India should bat second as the Eden Gardens pitch always tends to help the fast bowlers during the first couple of hours of a Test. Javagal Srinath will vouch for this. In the inaugural match of the Asian Test Championship against Pakistan, Srinath had them reeling at 26 for six. The Australians, when they last played here in 1998 also lost four wickets in the first session.

Ticket sales are gradually picking up. CAB officials feel that if Sourav Ganguly manages to get a decent score against the Australians at Delhi, the ground will be full on at least three days of the Test. Already tickets to the tune of Rs 50 lakhs have been sold.