Pitch it right for results: Ian Chappell

Its rare to find a perfect cricket pitch mdash one that satisfies both batsmen and bowlers but surfaces like the one produced in Abu Dhabi for the first Test between Pakistan and England do the game no favoursSouth African Faf du Plessis during the second Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in 2012 PicGetty ImagesLifeless pitches like the one in Abu Dhabi which give the bowlers little chance of success encourage batsmen to dawdle in the name of posting a huge first innings total Test cricket mdash which is in dire need of nurturing mdash wants huge first innings scores in the same way a motorbike requires an ashtrayAlso read Tonup Alastair Cook spices up Englands fight in first TestA huge total by the team batting first generally leads to one of two results a grinding response like Alastair Cooks incredible feat of endurance in seeking a draw or a complete capitulation ending in a blow out victoryGames like the one at Premadasa Stadium in 199798 where Indias 537 for 8 centuries to Sachin Tendulkar Navjot Singh Sidhu and Mohammed Azharuddin was obliterated by Sri Lankas 6952 a triple century to Sanath Jayasuriya and a double by Roshan Mahanama become an exercise in futility and statistical selfgratificationMost rightminded fans want a twopronged contest the one between bat and ball and the other between two engaged teams with their favoured side winning in a close finish Even a contest at the other end of the scale like that between India and Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in 200405 on a difficult pitch which resulted in two of the four totals accumulating less than a hundred did have the redeeming feature of providing a resultNevertheless any pitch that allows a frontline bowler never mind a parttimer like Michael Clarke to take 6 for 9 isnt a good one Which begs the question what is the definition of a good pitch The practical answer is often supplied by the best curators When asked before a game what theyre hoping for they reply Id like to see a result late on the fifth dayLes Burdett PicGetty ImagesNotice they never say which team they want to win The good curators or groundsmen are like players they have pride in their performance and aim to produce a surface which is fair to the batsmen and bowlers of both teams Thats why the preparation of a pitch should be solely in the hands of the curators or groundsmen with no input from either players or administrators both of whom have a vested interest in the state of the surfaceLes Burdett a longtime curator at the picturesque Adelaide Oval was one of those who sought a result after tea on the fifth day He often achieved his aim but even when he fell agonizingly short it usually provided great excitement The match in 201213 where Faf du Plessis marathon rearguard action saved the match for South Africa provided as much drama and tension as Australias dramatic lastminute Ashes victory at the same ground in 200607The moral of the story provide good pitches and the best players will usually produce decent entertainment One of the side benefits of the increase in short form cricket has been the increased haste in Test match batting Add to that regulations which allow time lost to weather to be made up and the percentage of results achieved in Test cricket is greatly improvedWhilst this often frenetic batting occasionally leads to monumental collapses like Australias first innings 60 at Trent Bridge in this years Ashes series Id rather watch that debacle than the mindnumbing cricket played in Abu DhabiIf the administrators are serious about promoting Test cricket they should come down hard on any player coach or official who tries to influence the preparation of a pitch And while theyre at it they should threaten to take Tests away from administrations that conjure up lifeless pitches if they transgress a second time follow through on the threatFor both teams the pitch is an important participant in every Test Producing a good surface is just as crucial to the contest as the performance of any individual playerThis column was written before the final day of the England vs Pakistan Test at Abu Dhabi