Waugh blasts Pakistan pitch-doctoring talk
Michael Donaldson - 2 October 2002
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COLOMBO - Steve Waugh lashed out at Pakistan counterpart Waqar Younis’ pitch-doctoring talk on the eve of the three Test series starting in Colombo tomorrow.
Pakistan brought its own staff to supervise preparation of the pitch for the first Test, which is being played at a neutral venue after Australia declined to tour Pakistan for security fears.
And Waqar’s comment suggested his team hoped to enjoy the advantage of Pakistan-style conditions at Colombo Oval, the oldest ground in Sri Lanka, in what’s officially a home series.
“We’ve got our management here preparing the wicket so hopefully they’ll prepare a wicket that suits us,” Waqar told a press conference.
The remark stunned Australian captain Waugh who suggested some action should be taken against the Pakistan skipper.
“I think it’s a little bit strange when the captain’s made these comments and nothing’s said about it,” Waugh said.
“I know if I said that it would raise a few eyebrows and create a few headlines.”
Home teams in cricket - like host nations in Davis Cup tennis - invariably get conditions to suit themselves but often that’s a product of the soil conditions and climate.
For a side to go out of its way to prepare a surface which favoured it was abhorrent to Waugh.
"I don’t agree with it. I think you should play cricket on the best possible pitch.
“I’ve never, ever asked for a pitch to suit us and I don’t know any Australian in my time who’s done that and I don’t see why it should be done overseas.”
Waugh rejected the notion of unspoken acceptance that the home side gets what it wants.
"If it is, it’s wrong because you’re supposed to play Test cricket on the best pitch available.
“If they’re going to make pitches to suit the home team then the opposition should have a choice of what to do at the toss.”
Waqar’s comments implied Pakistan wanted a spin-friendly deck - especially after it saw Australia’s struggles against spin in India last year and again in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Sri Lanka here.
Waugh said an ideal Test wicket would suit fast bowling early then flatten out to a good batting strip before taking spin and creating low bounce on the last day.
“That way everyone gets an opportunity. Test cricket is about giving everyone a chance to do well at that level rather than one certain type of player.” **
Pitch doctoring?? 
I didn’t know such thing even exist in cricket.
How can ICC allow that to happen.
I think its cheating.
Preparing pitch to give your side more advantage, I know in past times the “supposedly” home teams were favored by the pitch just because it was their home but I didn’t know it can be specially done just to favor the home team.
Why does Waugh have to worry, its not like he doesn’t have a quality spinner in his side, he has Warne so it preety evens it out but I still think its unfair to the Australians, it doesn’t matter how good they are but all teams should be treated fairly.
