Groundsmen Jerry Watson, Peter Douglas and Clyde Estwick rolling the pitch.

by Ezra Stuart

More runs will flow at Kensington Oval than in any of the two high-scoring matches in St Lucia which the West Indies won handsomely.

That’s the bold prediction of head groundsman Richard Applewhaite, who declared yesterday that he was preparing a 300-run pitch for the decisive final One-Day International against England.

“I believe that once the batsmen apply themselves and bat well, you will get 300 runs in an innings on this pitch. It is a good One-Day pitch,” Applewhaite said.

West Indies lead the rain-ruined seven-match series 2-1 after back-to-back victories in St Lucia when they successfully chased England’s totals of 281 and 280.

The matches at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet followed the double wash-out in Trinidad and Tobago and the abandonment of the Grenada match due to water-logged outfields.

The pitch at Kensington is the same which was used for the third Test when England humbled Brian Lara’s West Indies team in three days between April 1 and 3.

But this time around, there is no grass on it and Applewhaite says it wouldn’t be as bouncy and bowler-friendly.

“I don’t think it will have the same bounce as the Test match. This pitch would generally favour batsmen,” Applewhaite added.

He has also advised Lara to continue to send England in to bat once he wins the toss.

“Even though the toss wouldn’t make a big difference, I would bowl first and bat last. The first hour or so the ball will do something, but after that it will be a perfect One-Day pitch. It will be nice.”

Applewhaite said that after the Test match he gave the pitch a two-week rest before resuming preparations.

Compliments of the Nation News

- Thursday 06, May-2004

England fast bowler Darren Gough celebrating after winning a leg-before appeal against Dwayne Smith.

England left the Caribbean in style as they beat West Indies in the last match of their tour – the final One-Day International at Kensington Oval – to draw the series 2-2.
England opener Marcus Trescothick, Man-Of-The-Match and Man-Of-The-Series, smashed a brutal 82 off 57 balls as England reached 262 for five in reply to West Indies’ 261 for six. It cancelled out a brilliant 104 not out by West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan earlier in the day.

Compliments of the Nation News