CA praises national curators for 'improving' pitches to Test-standards

One of Australia's chief problems in its fall from grace, the state of the national pitches, has lightened with a near 50 per cent spike in Sheffield Shield batting averages indicating a stunning run-scoring revival.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the figures are being seen as a win for Cricket Australia and they praised the improvement in pitches.

Other statistics show Shield matches are lasting longer and far more wickets are being taken by spin bowlers are also being welcomed at CA, the report said.

An alarming drop in the number of centuries being scored at Test and first-class level by Australians was highlighted when Howard, coaches and former international batsmen held a national batting forum in Sydney in October, the report added.

A key concern was the dearth of emerging talent pressing for a call-up to the Test team, as well as young Australian batsmen's ability to play spin, the report further said.

CA's general manager Pat Howard said that he had congratulated curators around their country on their response this season to their plea to create Test-standard wickets for domestic cricket.