HAMILTON, New Zealand, 18 December 2003 — The build up to this month’s two-Test series between New Zealand and Pakistan has been overshadowed by concerns over pitches.
Under-prepared wickets gave New Zealand a bad name 12 months ago when India lost both Tests of a series lasting less than five days, and Hamilton groundsman Karl Johnson has been unlucky with the weather in his preparations for the first match starting tomorrow.
Not enough sun and too much rain have threatened to turn the pitch into another seam bowler’s dream but Pakistan coach Javed Miandad was anxious to play down the importance of the conditions.
“We’re not interested in what happened last year,” Miandad said yesterday. “We’re only interested in this year and we’ll handle whatever is given to us for a pitch.”
Pakistan appear to be a happy touring side. The last time they came to New Zealand early in 2001 they arrived with problems in the form of ructions at Pakistan Cricket Board level and unrest within the squad.
Senior players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar were out of sorts, with Anwar and Inzamam struggling through injury and Shoaib leaving the tour after his controversial bowling action was again called into question.
Shoaib suffered a slight calf strain during the opening tour match against Auckland but returned to bowl a rapid spell on the last day.
“Everyone is fit and really looking forward to the Test,” Miandad said. “After the World Cup we got a good team and I took over again. The boys are doing well and we are confident of our chances against New Zealand.”
He was reluctant to give clues as to his Test side but said “nine or 10” players from the Auckland match would play, including seamer Shabbir Ahmed and leg spinner Danish Kaneria.
