Where have all the fast tracks gone?

It was striking, when England were battling with WINdies lately for 600-700 scores, to see how much the Caribbean pitches have died (down). The GABBA perhaps (?), and the WACA, certainly, are not generally the ripsnorting force they were either, it seems.

So where are the tracks in the world nowadays that will gladden a genuine quick's heart?

While on the one hand, an accurate fast bowler is as great an asset as ever - to extract the most possible out of comparatively unresponsive turf - on the other foot, who would be a fast bowler at a regular 155k/96mph, when you don't get the venom you want to make all that extra oomph worthwhile?

Is the thing to do to rely on variation, with Alderman/Pidge-type nagging accuracy at reduced speed?

Where are the fast tracks gone? Has anyone found them?

How is it that the classic grounds of fast danger have become more subdued, anyway?

PP, the stage is set...

Why? Are Pakistan devising ways to improve their test strips?

Pete don't bother explaining . . . .

I think the Gabba depends on the weather and the WACA got that shit scared about losing revenue they neutered the pitch.

Kingsmead is still pretty tricky and Wanderers has it's days.

Bradman wrote:I think the Gabba depends on the weather and the WACA got that shit scared about losing revenue they neutered the pitch.

MB gave a decent explanation about the WACA strip some time back. Apparently the strip was relaid and rotated to better align with the Lillee-Marsh stand (for the Members if memory serves). In the process, they basically farked up the drainage and nature of the pitch and it's never been the same.

MB will correct me if any of that is inaccurate.

skully wrote:

Bradman wrote:I think the Gabba depends on the weather and the WACA got that shit scared about losing revenue they neutered the pitch.

MB gave a decent explanation about the WACA strip some time back. Apparently the strip was relaid and rotated to better align with the Lille-Marsh stand (for the Members if memory serves). In the process, they basically farked up the drainage and nature of the pitch and it's never been the same.

MB will correct me if any of that is inaccurate.

I seem to recall that they were trying to fix the drainage problem. We have had the same problem here. Basically the trouble is that the drainage has become too efficient and the pitch cannot retain moisture. This is what happened at Newlands the previous time the Aussies came over.

Cue Red and conspiracy theories.

Ah yes, that sounds familiar.

I thought the gabba was meant to be on the improve...needs to...given only embee and zimmi's 'glee club' seem to attend the cricket in wozzieville

I thought Gabba Dan was a regular at the WACA?

another good reason to shut the place down

Excellent THREAD!! Very disappointed at the pace of the Perth but according to MB the pace will be back in a year or 2, i am not sure about the GABBA though

I also want Old Trafford to play like it did during the 2006 test match b/t ENG and Pakistan. The pitch was both quick and bouncy and most of the PAK batsmen were literally SCARED of facing Steve Harimson!

DJ_Smerk wrote:Why? Are Pakistan devising ways to improve their test strips?

hmm..whats the point? no one is gonna come anyways

p.s the word "strips" sounds a little

We use to have this ground in Gujranwala where they use to play ODIs once in a while

That pitch was SUPER quick