Groundsmen Use Burning Coal to Dry the Pitch For Chennai Test

The groundstaff at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai were seen using burning coal to dry the pitch for the 5th Test.

The groundstaff at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai were on Wednesday seen using burning coal to dry the pitch. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Nasser Hussain)

The groundstaff at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai were on Wednesday seen using burning coal to dry the pitch set to be used for the fifth and final Test between India and England starting 16 December.

Cyclone 'Vardah' that lashed the city last Monday caused considerable damage to property and the iconic stadium has also not been spared. However the square and the outfield have not been damaged. But the downpour has certainly left a lot of dampness on the 22-yard strip.

That is the reason why the age-old formula of keeping burning coal trays on pitches is being used. It is a tried and tested formula to soak the dampness and try to make it as dry as possible with less than 48 hours left for the Test match to begin.

BCCI's south zone curator PR Viswanathan is satisfied with the current condition of the pitch.

The wickets prepared for the match and the outfield are in excellent condition. It should play true but I cannot say as to how the wicket would behave.

PR Viswanathan, BCCI’s South Zone Curator

TNCA secretary Kashi Viswanathan is supervising the arrangement as the association is working on a warfooting to get things in order. The veteran official is confident that everything will be in order before the first delivery is bowled.

One good thing is the drainage system at the stadium which is very good. It is unfortunate that the practice pitches on the other side of the pavilion could not be readied as it was totally wet. Thus the rival team members can only have fielding sessions tomorrow morning. We are sorry about that.

Kashi Viswanathan, Secretary, TNCA