The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken steps to improve the quality of pitches in the country by hiring Australian pitch curator Tony Hemming. Hemming has been appointed as the new head curator on a two-year contract to prepare pitches for the upcoming five Tests in the home season. He will oversee pitch preparations ahead of two Tests against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi and Karachi, as well as three Tests against England in October.
Following criticism of the pitches in recent Test matches against Australia and England, the PCB decided to bring in Hemming to help improve playing surfaces. The Rawalpindi stadium received below-average ratings for the pitches used in those matches, with Australian captain Pat Cummins and Steve Smith both expressing dissatisfaction with the conditions. Hemming, who has over four decades of experience, previously served as the ICC’s head curator for academies.
Pakistan is set to host the International Cricket Council’s Champions Trophy from February to March next year, and the PCB is keen to ensure that the pitches are up to standard for the tournament. Hemming’s expertise will be crucial in preparing pitches that provide a fair contest between bat and ball, as well as ensuring that the playing surfaces meet international standards.
In addition to preparing pitches for the Champions Trophy, Hemming will also play a key role in getting the pitches ready for the upcoming Test matches against Bangladesh and England. His experience and expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that the pitches are of high quality and offer a fair playing field for all teams involved. The PCB is hopeful that Hemming’s appointment will help address the issues that have been raised regarding pitch quality in recent matches.
The decision to hire Hemming reflects the PCB’s commitment to improving the standards of cricket in Pakistan and ensuring that the country remains a top destination for international cricket. By bringing in a renowned pitch curator with a wealth of experience, the PCB is taking proactive steps to address concerns about pitch quality and provide players with the best possible playing conditions. With Hemming at the helm, Pakistan can look forward to hosting competitive and exciting matches on pitches that are conducive to good cricket.
Overall, the hiring of Tony Hemming as the new head curator is a positive development for Pakistan cricket. His expertise and experience will be crucial in improving pitch quality and ensuring that matches played in the country meet international standards. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, the PCB is focused on providing top-quality pitches that will enhance the competitiveness of the tournament. By investing in pitch preparation and maintenance, Pakistan is laying the groundwork for a successful and sustainable future in cricket.
