Curator Cameron Sutherland says the hot conditions prevailing in Perth have taken some sting out of the "green" WACA surface, but the pitch will still suit fast bowlers in the third Test between India and Australia, beginning Friday.
"It still has a nice grass coverage. But it's pretty hot and wind is drying moisture. So we are leaving it at the moment and would decide tomorrow morning if we need to cut the grass," stated Sutherland.
He said the pitch will be as quick as it was against England last year, when the visitors were bowled out for 187 and 123.
"The pitch last time was 20 per cent quicker to the previous one. I would be happy if the pace and bounce is similar to the last one. If it does so again, it would be good.
"It was really green three days out, but the temperature is now nudging 37 and it's taken a bit of sting out of colour (of grass). The grass is of a very fine quality, it's like a carpet but it wouldn't seam too much," he said.
Sutherland conceded the hot conditions might make cracks appear on the pitch over the course of five days' cricket.
"There might be cracking at the wicket but it wouldn't make a difference. I am not sure how much it would crack, how wider it would get. But even then it should be pretty solid pitch, it shouldn't be up and down. But I don't mind it. Wearing pitches is part of Test cricket.
"However, the grass cover will remain there and it will keep the ball shiny and help the quicks," he said.Sutherland reckoned day two and three would be good for batting.
"Day two and three possibly are best for batting. But winning the toss and batting first doesn't mean you are out of the game. Best side more often than not wins. The history shows it's also possible to chase down runs in the fourth innings."
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