: Fri May 22, 2009 12:25 pm  

Asim wrote:

If you're going to spend £600k on a new drainage system, I think it might be wise to ensure that it is actually capable of draining water - in the light of increased competition for international fixtures the powers that be at Headingley may come to regret today big style.

I said the same earlier am i right in saying that there is a big test match at Headingley later this year? A complete joke

: Fri May 22, 2009 12:33 pm  

LFCRhino wrote:

I said the same earlier am i right in saying that there is a big test match at Headingley later this year? A complete joke

From what they were saying yesterday the drainage isn't fully installed yet, they need time for the new turf to bed in, but it is better than it was this time last year.

Also, according to an article on the BBC, this problem currently affects nearly every county ground in the country, as they've all been given £600k by the ECB to do this work. The only exception is Lords, where they've installed the "Rolls Royce" of drainage systems costing £1m.

: Fri May 22, 2009 12:40 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

From what they were saying yesterday the drainage isn't fully installed yet, they need time for the new turf to bed in, but it is better than it was this time last year.

Also, according to an article on the BBC, this problem currently affects nearly every county ground in the country, as they've all been given £600k by the ECB to do this work. The only exception is Lords, where they've installed the "Rolls Royce" of drainage systems costing £1m.

With the best will in the world, there is only so much water a playing surface can take even with upgraded drainage before it will become saturated.

To imply that the ground isn't of Test standard simply because it was unable to cope with a deluge would mean you'd play every game of the Ashes series at Lords to be on the safe side.

While the MCC would love that - they have a deep disaffection for letting "the North" have too many games after all - it isn't a way forward.

: Fri May 22, 2009 1:38 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

With the best will in the world, there is only so much water a playing surface can take even with upgraded drainage before it will become saturated.

To imply that the ground isn't of Test standard simply because it was unable to cope with a deluge would mean you'd play every game of the Ashes series at Lords to be on the safe side.

While the MCC would love that - they have a deep disaffection for letting "the North" have too many games after all - it isn't a way forward.

Agreed, and the fact the drainage was improved, if not yet at it's best appeared lost on the Sky presenters yesterday, especially Botham. He kept ranting about "Why are we here if the drainage isn't fully working yet", despite the fact it was explained to him it was better than in the past, where he above anyone should know there's been the odd bit of test cricket played.

This was before it was explained that all grounds had gone through the same upgrades as Yorkshire, so would have been in the same boat.

: Tue May 26, 2009 12:34 pm  

England flying 238-2 (40)

Prior 68 (70)
Shah 55 (51)

: Tue May 26, 2009 12:40 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

Agreed, and the fact the drainage was improved, if not yet at it's best appeared lost on the Sky presenters yesterday, especially Botham. He kept ranting about "Why are we here if the drainage isn't fully working yet", despite the fact it was explained to him it was better than in the past, where he above anyone should know there's been the odd bit of test cricket played.

He'll just have been sore that his pet project of Test cricket at Chester-Le-Street fell flat on its backside the week before.

: Tue May 26, 2009 1:20 pm  

Eng 328 (50)

Prior topscored with 86.

: Tue May 26, 2009 1:37 pm  

I think we'd have had a better tune up for the Ashes if we'd have played Bangladesh or Scotland rather than the Windies.

: Tue May 26, 2009 1:46 pm  

DAR130 wrote:

I think we'd have had a better tune up for the Ashes if we'd have played Bangladesh or Scotland rather than the Windies.

The Windies side that made England look very ordinary only four months ago, you mean?

Good to see England firing in these one-dayers without Pietersen and Flintoff, might do the former's ego some good to realise he's not indispensible.

: Tue May 26, 2009 1:54 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

The Windies side that made England look very ordinary only four months ago, you mean?

Good to see England firing in these one-dayers without Pietersen and Flintoff, might do the former's ego some good to realise he's not indispensible.

We knew before the test series the Windies didn't want to be here so it's not suprising they're not putting the effort in.