Warwickshire’s head groundsman, Gary Barwell, is using lights once employed for growing cannabis in order to ensure that Edgbaston’s surface is in the proper condition for the third Ashes Test.
The lights, confiscated by the West Midlands police and now loaned by the force to the club, have been used on the ground before and are needed to help dry out the turf – thus making it harder and faster – following the heavy rain that has covered the country over the last few days. According to Cricinfo, Barwell has used the lamps ever since he saw a similar techniques being used by Notts County.
England have been left frustrated by the state of the pitches over the last two Tests, especially the one at Lord’s, with many of the players believing that the lack of bounce and pace has hindered their own bowlers such as Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad while simultaneously helping the faster Australia bowlers prosper.
“I’d like to see a typical English seaming wicket against the Australians,” said England’s head coach, Trevor Bayliss, after the defeat at Lord’s. “To take 20 wickets, that would suit our bowlers. The flatter the wicket is, and the slower the wicket is, it actually plays into the Australians’ hands.”
The third Ashes Test gets under way on Wednesday.
