The Oval pitch draws criticism from former greats

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.

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