Mumbai: Sudhir Naik and Dhiraj Parsana have been entrusted with the task of preparing a prim and proper surface for the third and final Test against England at the Wankhede.

Naik, the present ground and pitch-in-charge at the Wankhede and Parsana, the BCCI's Pitch & Grounds pointman for West Zone, are aware that notwithstanding their sincere effort, a slight and inadvertent lax can mar their wholehearted endeavour to make a Test match pitch that will last the distance and leave no one complaining. Fresh in memory are the horrors of the pitch that blighted Mumbai Cricket Association's reputation after the Test against Ricky Ponting's Australia.

Uniqueness

Parsana, who played two Tests against the West Indies in 1979, has been in the BCCI's Pitch & Grounds Committee since 1997 said: "I have worked with Sudhir (Naik) for four or five matches. He's very knowledgeable and prepared an excellent wicket for the one-dayer against South Africa. He's a capable man.''

Explaining the uniqueness of the red clay at the Wankhede, Parsana said: "Its porosity is high. When's it's wet, it helps in the binding process and when it's dry, the top crumbles rapidly. The trick here is to find out ways to preserve moisture and delay the drying process. The rate of evaporation is very high between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. We have left sufficient grass now and will carry out the final cut on Friday, leaving about two or 2.5mm of grass. The pitch has been watered and rolled well. It should be hard for two or 2.5 inches below the top dressing. The spinners will come into the picture from the fourth day. There will be consistent bounce and carry to the wicketkeeper. It will be a conventional Test match pitch.''

Naik's reputation in his present occupation has been very high, not like his Test career, which was short-loved.

Responsibility

For many years Naik has been given the responsibility of maintaining the Wankhede ground and pitch, but was ousted probably because of change of guard at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). Sharad Pawar's committee, vexed by the poor pitch prepared for the India-Australia Test 17 months ago, employed Naik on contract as ground-in-charge.

Given a free hand, Naik, along with a bunch of dedicated workers, spent long hours for months before the 2005-06 first class season. His independent ways might have irked the home team players, but Naik made it clear that he would not tolerate interference from the high and mighty.

Naik's meticulous methods made a fine impression on national selector and secretary, Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, Sanjay Jagdale. And he got an invitation to visit Indore's Usharaje Ground and oversee the ground and pitch preparation there.

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