“MA stadium Jammu’s pitch is compatible to play IPL matches”: Ross Taylor
Aman Zutshi
Former cricketer and New Zealand team captain Ross Taylor yesterday after registering a win against Manipal Tigers with his Southern Super stars team in Legends Cricket League participated in a press conference and said that the MA stadium’s cricket ground pitch situated in Jewel area of Jammu city is compatible to held IPL matches in future.
Interacting with the reporters after triumphing against Harbhajan Singh’s led Manipal Tigers at Jammu’s MA Stadium, the Southern Super stars Captain Ross Taylor said, “It was good as we won today.
“Losing the toss we gone earlier we wanted to chase on their wicket it was bit low and slow and it is tough when you’re 50 for none and still probably behind the game. Pawan Negi batted fantastically well. We needed a special innings and he has shown what he has done in his IPL teams in a last decade or so”, he added.
Responding to a media query about the local cricket spectators and the MA stadium’s cricket pitch on which the match was played, Taylor added, “It is the best crowd I have seen so far. This place is little bit far away but the atmosphere was good . This is my first time in Jammu and I have thoroughly enjoyed this place and we will leave from here in a couple of days. We will obviously learn from what we have played today and will enjoy the win and it is nice to be here in Jammu”.
Replying to another media query about the cricket crowd, the winning captain of Southern Super stars remarked, “I have never been here before and it’s lovely part of the world. I hope people of Jammu come here to see us play in the couple of days and we play some good cricket hopefully”.
Answering another media query about the LCL platform for former cricketers, Taylor replied, “It is good for players to still be indulge in cricket even after their retirements. Indians love cricket and its good for them to see legends like Harbhajan, Raina and legends from other countries to come and play.
“When cricketers retire people think to see them before they go. But its also good and nice to play cricket around the world and come to non-traditional cricket and places like Jammu, Dehradun which was not probably on the calendar of International cricket. It is fantastic for people to come out and watch heroes and the amazing reception welcome and places we been here”.
Talking about the MA stadium’s Jammu cricket ground pitch compatibility, Ross said,” One has to level more grass in it, different parts of India play differently and this the beauty of the game of cricket one don’t need similar sea or black soil or ground. It’s little bit low and slow but obviously it came down to the last over and this is what we want in a game of 20-20 cricket”.
Taylor when asked about his plans to visit J&K known for its splendid terrain he said that some of his team mates will visit local temples” I’m an old man and it takes a long time for me to come out of bed. There is helicopter ride arranged for us to visit special temples in Jammu and I’m sure the players will enjoy a good time and I will also go next day on the ride after hearing their experiences”.
