Ashes 2015: Glamorgan groundsman Keith Exton hopes for more pace than 2009 pitch

Externalin Industry News

The Cardiff venue will host the first Test of the Investec Ashes Series six years on from the nail-biting draw of 2009 which marked Exton's first foray into Test Match pitch preparation

Keith Exton
Glamorgan groundsman Keith Exton hopes to see a balanced contest between bat and ball when England and Australia begin the battle for the urn at The SSE SWALEC from Wednesday.

The Cardiff venue will host the first Test of the Investec Ashes Series six years on from the nail-biting draw of 2009 which marked Exton's first foray into Test Match pitch preparation.

James Anderson and Monty Panesar stood firm to enable England to escape with a draw in the 2009 Test and although the fixture was fondly remembered, Exton hopes that his 2015 surface will have more pace.

"We hope this one will have a little more pace but we hope that we see an equally good game of cricket," he said.

"It's natural to be nervous and excited at the same time but watch me after three overs - I'll either be beaming with delight or hiding."

"It's the pinnacle of any groundsman's career to produce a Test Match pitch and if the game is as finely balanced as the one we hosted here in 2009, I'll be very happy."

Favourable weather conditions and a brief to produce the best possible cricket wicket have allowed Exton and his team to focus on the job in hand.

"We're happy because we're in control of moisture levels and the density and profile of the soil," said Keith.

"Dry conditions take the guess work out so we're very much in control which is all that a groundsman can wish for."

The strip in question - pitch 13 - was used twice for domestic T20 fixtures in 2014 and is expected to provide an even contest.

This track had two T20 games on it last year and the ball went through well," added Exton.

"It will start off as a classic Test pitch but if we have a lot of dry heat then the characteristics could change as the game progresses.

"We would need to have extremely high temperatures for it to become a spinning pitch, which is very unlikely, but once the toss takes place, everything is out of our hands."

For the full article, visit www.walesonline.co.uk.

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