Another run fest is on the cards as India prepare to take on Ireland in a Pool B match of the ICC cricket World Cup at the Seddon Park here tomorrow, according to curator Karl Johnson.
While this small ground in Hamilton is known for aiding seam and swing bowling, Johnson, who likes to be known as the 'Turf Manager' has toed the ICC line and followed the governing body's diktat of producing batting friendly strips.
"We were instructed by the ICC to prepare good batting tracks with negligible seam movement and less turn. So far the ICC has been happy with how the pitch has played in the two matches. (In the South Africa versus Zimbabwe game, a total of 616 runs were scored).
"Basically, we have tried to keep the surface hard and ensure that there is even bounce and carry," said Johnson, who has worked at the Sahara Stadium in Pune, during the last edition of Indian Premier League.
While the ground being open from three sides might bring about joy for the fast bowlers, the track won't have much for them as it is devoid of any grass.
"To prepare the World Cup wicket, it took me about 14 days. We have laid nine strips. All the three matches including two completed matches and the coming India game was or will be played on different strips but of same nature," the 43-year-old Johnson said.
With big hitters like skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina in the team, the bowlers might find it difficult to contain them with short side boundaries as well as the straight ones.
