BIRMINGHAM, England, (Reuters) – Heavy rain left the Edgbaston outfield covered in pools of water yesterday, just one day before the start of the third Ashes test between England and Australia.
Ground staff worked all day to clear the deluge but both teams were forced into the indoor cricket school for their final practice sessions.
Rain was also forecast to disrupt the first few days of the match.
“I’m more concerned about the rain,” Australia captain Ricky Ponting told reporters when asked if he was happy with his team’s preparations following their defeat in the second test at Lord’s.
“I am actually a bit surprised that the wicket itself is so dry but there’s plenty of rain around still,” Ponting added. “I think spin will play a part in the match.”
Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath said he had concerns about the Edgbaston wicket and the ones to be used for the fourth and fifth tests at Headingley and The Oval.
“As desperate as England are to win back the Ashes, I really do hope that the groundsmen don’t prepare flat, boring wickets for the remaining three tests to ensure three drawn games,” McGrath told the London Evening Standard.
Difficult Job
“Everyone knows how unpredictable the weather can be in England and that groundsmen have a difficult job.
“But we need to remember that it is not only the Ashes which are at stake but the future of test cricket itself, especially with the continued rise of Twenty20.
“I know it hasn’t been an easy job to prepare it because of the poor weather but (England’s) Ian Bell said yesterday that the wickets there (at Edgbaston) all season have been perfect for batting.”
Warwickshire head groundsman Steve Rouse said his staff would be working all night to try to get the match started as soon as possible.
The 2005 Edgbaston Ashes test was a thrilling match which England won by two runs to level the series after Australia’s last two wickets added 104 runs.
“The last half hour was horrific, incredibly tense,” England captain Andrew Strauss said.
“There was a sense that things were not going our way and we were facing a pretty humiliating defeat,” he added. “The feeling when we got the last wicket was pure relief.”
