ENGLAND’S PROBLEMS COMING TO THE SURFACE AT EDGBASTON
AUSTRALIA believe England have got themselves in a pickle over pitches and do not know what surface to provide to give themselves the best chance of hitting back in tomorrow’s pivotal third Investec Test. The sight of Lord’s groundsman Mick Hunt and ECB pitch inspector Chris Wood out in the middle at Edgbaston yesterday staring at the all-important 22 yards of turf gave credence to Australia’s theory that English confusion reigns. Perhaps they were intrigued by the lights normally used in the cultivation of cannabis that have been loaned to Edgbaston groundsman Gary Barwell by West Midlands police and are being used to try to dry out a surface sodden by recent rain. Handed over to the club 18 months ago after Barwell had seen a similar method used by Notts County Football Club, they help to provide pace as well as spin. Whether the more gainful employment of the confiscated lights does any good remains to be seen but there is no question the normally dry — or even moist — subject of the make-up of cricket pitches is dominating the Ashes agenda. The pitch was green yesterday but it will be a big surprise if grass is left on it before tomorrow’s start, even though Andrew Strauss has denied England have requested low, slow, flat Ashes surfaces. Barwell said last week he will prepare a ‘good quality’ Test pitch with plenty for batsmen and bowlers and he was certainly not short of company as he went about his last-minute preparations. Whether too many cooks spoil the Edgbaston broth will become clear tomorrow, with both sides hoping for an improvement on the lifeless pitches that have made the toss all important in Cardiff and Lord’s. Asked if he thought England knew what type of pitches they want, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc said: ‘I don’t think so. I’m not sure they know if they want another slow pitch or one that would help the seamers more. Whatever is dished up, it’s up to us to adjust the quickest.’ Australia did that at Lord’s, taking the pitch out of the equation with skilful fast bowling on a surface that rendered England’s seamers toothless and provided exaggerated importance to a toss won by the visitors. Starc promises more of the same bowling that blew England away for 103 in just 37 second-innings overs at Lord’s. ‘I’m sure we will be following up what Mitch (Johnson) dished up at the end at Lord’s,’ said Starc. ‘It was great to see a few guys jumping about and we got a few wickets that way.’ Australia’s Chris Rogers was on the end of his own side’s pace bowling in the nets as he tried to prove his fitness despite having to retire hurt with dizziness after being struck on the head for a third time in seven months. Even though experts have urged caution about using a batsman who missed two Tests with concussion in the West Indies, Australia’s medical team look increasingly convinced he will be able to play. England vice-captain Joe Root, meanwhile, has backed Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow to replicate his fantastic county form when he makes his Test return in place of Gary Ballance. ‘It’s never easy to come in to such a big series but he’s averaging a hundred with five hundreds under his belt,’ said Root. ‘He’ll be desperate to carry on his great form.’