England skipper Alastair Cook wants a good wicket for the third and final Test of the series in Auckland.
For the final Test of the current series between New Zealand and England a drop-in pitch will be used to improve the ground conditions.
Groundsmen at the Eden Park in Auckland have been preparing the wicket away from the pitch in a bid to provide a more sporty surface for the two sides.
There has been criticism of the wickets in the previous two, rain-affected Tests as bowlers have clearly found the pitches hard work.
Alastair Cook and his side have refused to openly criticise ground standards at the last two venues, but the England captain has made it clear he would prefer a better wicket.
“In an ideal world a pitch with more pace and bounce would make for a more exciting wicket,” Cook said on Sky Sports.
As the Test in Auckland is a decider, a pitch that provides bowlers with a surface to cause the batsman problems is more likely to end in a winning result either way. Although obviously neither side wants to lose, most involved in the tie would appreciate an exciting fixture.
The new pitch was dropped in on Saturday and the ground staff will be hoping that their hard work will be worth it.
“We want the best cricket wicket possible,” Eden Park groundsman Mark Perham was quoted on Sky Sports.
Although England struggled in the first drawn Test against New Zealand, it is widely believed that they would have won the second match if rain hadn’t stopped play.
If the pitch is good and the rain holds off, then the visitors have every chance of winning the game in Auckland and taking the series.
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