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The Oval pitch draws criticism from former greats
Australian spin great Shane Warne feels the Oval curator has "overbaked" the pitch to get a result in the ongoing Ashes decider here.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: August 22, 2009 08:13 AM IST
Read Time: 1 min
London:
Australian spin great Shane Warne feels the Oval curator has "overbaked" the pitch to get a result in the ongoing Ashes decider here.
"He (the curator) overbaked it a little bit to make sure there is a result," Warne said after England shot out Australia for 160 in the first innings to snatch initiative on day two in the fifth and final Ashes Test.
England need a win to clinch back the Ashes urn and they have produced a pitch that their batsmen admit resembles a dirtbed Indian surface.
West Indian legend Michael Holding was also disappointed at the behaviour of the pitch.
"I am very disappointed in this pitch. I have never been to The Oval and seen the ball going through the top (of the pitch) like this. Even on day one we have seen this," said a fuming Holding.
"I played here back in 1976 - in one of the hottest summers ever in England - and it didn't play like this. It can't be the weather," he said.
![](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/misc/fullImage/ver1/a/ashes.jpg)
"He (the curator) overbaked it a little bit to make sure there is a result," Warne said after England shot out Australia for 160 in the first innings to snatch initiative on day two in the fifth and final Ashes Test.
England need a win to clinch back the Ashes urn and they have produced a pitch that their batsmen admit resembles a dirtbed Indian surface.
West Indian legend Michael Holding was also disappointed at the behaviour of the pitch.
"I am very disappointed in this pitch. I have never been to The Oval and seen the ball going through the top (of the pitch) like this. Even on day one we have seen this," said a fuming Holding.
"I played here back in 1976 - in one of the hottest summers ever in England - and it didn't play like this. It can't be the weather," he said.
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