MUMBAI: Even as its being speculated that India will dish out a turner for the ultra-crucial third Test against England at Ahmedabad to help the home team’s spinners, Sanspareils Greenlands (SG), manufacturers of the cricket ball being used in the ongoing Test series have stressed that “at least some grass should be left on the Motera wicket to enable the pink ball retain its colour for 80 overs”.
“Turning track is fine, but for the pink ball to last 80 overs and retain its colour requires some amount of grass on the wicket. We’ve seen that world over, curators tend to leave 6-7mm grass on the pitch for day/night Tests to enable the pink ball to retain its shine. While that may not be possible considering that India would want to take home advantage, it is necessary to leave at least 2-3mm grass on the pitch to ensure that the ball doesn’t lose its colour and therefore, visibility under floodlights,” Paras Anand, SG marketing director, told TOI on Sunday.
“Turning track is fine, but for the pink ball to last 80 overs and retain its colour requires some amount of grass on the wicket. We’ve seen that world over, curators tend to leave 6-7mm grass on the pitch for day/night Tests to enable the pink ball to retain its shine. While that may not be possible considering that India would want to take home advantage, it is necessary to leave at least 2-3mm grass on the pitch to ensure that the ball doesn’t lose its colour and therefore, visibility under floodlights,” Paras Anand, SG marketing director, told TOI on Sunday.
With the series locked at…