Trent Bridge groundsman still hoping pitch will become quicker

The Trent Bridge groundsman Steve Birks today conceded that he was disappointed with his pitch after the opening day of the first Test between India and England but said he still hoped to see more life in the wicket in the remaining days.
India won the toss and took first strike in good batting conditions at Trent Bridge and reached 259 for 4, riding on an unbeaten 122 by opener Murali Vijay.
"We wanted to produce a pitch with pace, bounce and carry which has not happened unfortunately. There's quite a lot of moisture underneath but it's a hard surface on top which is why it's lacking pace," said Birks.

"The moisture readings taken earlier in the week were quite high and we haven't seen enough of the sun to really bake it out.
"Our only instruction is to produce a good cricket wicket and, with hindsight, we may have left a bit more grass on it but this is the first day of five-day Test and while I do not expect spin to come into it, we hope it might quicken up a bit.