Old Trafford, the iconic cricket ground in Manchester, has been a witness to some of cricket’s most memorable moments. However, its pitch has undergone a significant transformation, with its axis being rotated by 90 degrees around a decade ago. This change has had a notable impact on the playing conditions, leading former England captain Mike Atherton to suggest a bold bowling strategy for India in their upcoming 4th Test against England.
Why Old Trafford Pitch Was Turned 90 Degrees
For over a century, the Old Trafford pitch was aligned on an east-west axis, established in the 1850s. While traditional, this orientation presented a peculiar challenge for batsmen, particularly during the evening sessions:
- Blinding Sun: The most significant reason for the change was the issue of the setting sun directly in the batsmen’s eyes. This glare was so severe that county matches were occasionally halted due to the blinding conditions, impacting player safety and the flow of the game.
To address this, the pitch was rotated 90 degrees to a north-south alignment. This reorientation, while solving the sun issue, led to the ground losing its traditional Warwick Road End and Stretford End for bowling. Anecdotal evidence from players like James Anderson, as cited by Mike Atherton, suggests that since this change, the pitches at Old Trafford have generally played “flat flat” with less pace, especially on the televised central strips.
Mike Atherton Says Kuldeep Yadav Should Play India’s 4th Test Against England
In light of the current pitch conditions at Old Trafford and India’s need to level the series against England, former England captain Mike Atherton has strongly advocated for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI for the 4th Test.
Atherton, speaking on a Sky Sports podcast, noted that Old Trafford’s pitches, particularly the televised ones, have been “flat flat” this season. He believes that these conditions are conducive to wrist-spin.
He suggested a strategic shift for India, potentially opting for a three-spinner attack:
- Wrist-spin Advantage: Atherton highlighted that “wrist spin goes well on those circumstances” where the pitches lack pace. Kuldeep Yadav, with his left-arm wrist-spin, could exploit any subtle turn or lack of bounce on offer, posing a different challenge to the English batsmen.
- Three-Spinner Strategy: Atherton even pondered whether India could go with just two frontline pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, and then field three spinners: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.
- Weather Caveat: While emphasizing the spin advantage, Atherton also acknowledged the unpredictability of Manchester’s weather. He mentioned that if the forecast is cooler and showery, fast bowlers would naturally come more into the picture.
India’s team management will undoubtedly consider these factors, including the pitch report and the weather forecast, before finalizing their playing XI for the crucial encounter at Old Trafford. The call for Kuldeep Yadav highlights the potential impact a quality wrist-spinner could have on a seemingly docile surface. Sources
