ICC pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson’s, findings has put DDCA in a tight spot. SportsCenter’s Sai Prasad Mohapatra reports.

December 27, 2009 was a black day for Delhi Cricket. The pitch fiasco led to a blame game and ICC eventually handing out one year ban to Feroze Shah Kotla. As a result, the entire pitch committee of the BCCI was disbanded. But the ICC-appointed pitch consultant Andy Atkinson, following his inspection, has given a clean chit to Daljit Singh, who was the chairman of the pitch committee and blamed the local official for bypassing few procedures. 

Atkinson visited Kotla on February 14-15 and reported his findings to the ICC. As opposed to the perception that the BCCI appointed pitch committee bungled up, Atkinson’s report in fact has given a clean chit to Daljit. The report suggests that Daljit was of the opinion to use ‘perennial rye grass’ as it was the only option left at a very late stage in getting some grass cover for the ODI on the December 27, but the local authority didn’t agree and went ahead by planting ‘local cynodon grass’ which primarily damaged the surface.

The report also highlights the fact that the problems encountered were basically self-inflicted by the mistakes made by playing on the pitch too early after its reconstruction in 2009. Atkinson has made it clear that under no circumstances the pitch block can be excavated and reconstructed given the time constraint. However, Atkinson has given a long list of preparatory procedures to be followed and the type of grass to be used both pre and post IPL matches.

Atkinson in his report has recommended the authorities to scarify (mechanically rake) the entire pitch area with the Graden Mechanical scarrifyer in 4-5 directions to remove the unnecessary Rye Grass and any organic matter and fibre that has built up below the surface of the pitches. The machine should be set to cut into the ground at a depth of 5mm initially and then to 8mm and 10mm with alternate passes in different directions over the pitch block. After this operation if any further organic matter (Thatch) is still visible the machine should be lowered to 12mm and 15mm during further passes until all organic matter is removed. The entire pitch block must be swept thoroughly to remove all organic debris until the surface is clean and dust free.

With the new pitch committee adhering to the timeline given by Atkinson, Feroze Shah Kotla will host few domestic matches from September 1 until November 30 before it closes for renovation and maintenance of pitches for 2011 World Cup.