Auckland
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have introduced a radical provision for the Black Caps series against the World 11 series with both teams allowed to practise on the match pitch.
The New Zealand Herald reported yesterday that NZC sought permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to allow the teams to test the match playing surface the day before each game.
The previously unheard of provision will provide up to 60 minutes of practice for each team in the three match series, in the hope that the extra exposure will counter one of the game's biggest problems, and take the early sting out of the surfaces.
The move differs radically from the previous tradition of match pitches usually being off limits to the players and in control of the curators until start of play.
But the ICC decision against giving the matches full one-day international (ODI) status has provided an experimental window for NZC, who received stinging criticism for preparing bowler-friendly pitches against India two years ago.
The Herald understands NZC struck a deal with the FICA World 11 over the new practice conditions in the hope of finding a solution to the problem of ODIs being effectively decided in the first 20 overs.
The pitches for both series at home last summer favoured the side bowling first, and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming expressed his annoyance in India in late 2003 after all the day games started on dew-laden surfaces.
That was the tour in which Fleming's side were bowled out for 97 by Australia at Faridabad ? all in the space of 33.4 overs.
The trend continued in the Boxing Day ODI against Sri Lanka at Auckland, the tourists being bundled out for 141 before losing the series opener by seven wickets.
Fleming said he was relaxed with the idea but was still interested in seeing how it would be put into practice.
"People are obviously working hard on solutions and if this is going to make a better contest I'm all for it."
His only reservation was the need to manage the state of the pitch and keep it in good order for the start of the match-proper the following day.
The experimental move is expected to raise some eyebrows among the game's purists, as it will mean more work for the respective curators, and will allow players to familiarise themselves with the pitch characteristics ? therefore reducing the challenge.
On the other hand, some would argue the ODI game lives and dies on a fair and equal playing field, and could only be improved by measures to neutralise the pitch surface.
Meanwhile, Fleming is not worried that the series will be turned into a festival affair by its charitable and fund-raising aspects, rather than a full-on cricket contest.
"No, that won't happen because the players won't allow it to," he said.
"The importance of the series is very clear to us ? we need a tough match-play play before Australia arrive, so we'll be working very hard.
"It's crucial we keep our structure and shape and treat these games like fully fledged ODIs." ? nzpa
Pitch policy change for World 11 cricket series
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