Smith terms Chepauk wicket as "Under-prepared"

Chennai, Feb 12 (PTI) Rival captains Graeme Smith andElton Chigumbura termed that the wicket at the Chepauk was"under-prepared" and hoped that the wickets are perhapsprepared better for the World Cup tournament proper.

"The wicket was pretty slow and dead. Yet, Morne Morkel,who bowled well in in South Africa had carried the form here.

I was standing in the slips and I must say that he manage tohit the deck well," he said.

Explaining the conditions today, Smith said, "You can getit tricky. The wickets probably will get slower and slower.

Tonight there were a few things. There was quite a lot of dewand it is a bit disappointing on that factor when lot ofday-night games are played in this conditions."

"I feel the wickets are probably better prepared for theWorld Cup proper as coming to those games the wickets willgive a lot more tension."

Meanwhile, South Africa''s Pakistan-born leg spinner ImranTahir came in for praise for the rival captains as well asZimbabwean coach Alan Butcher.

It was not a surprise therefore when South Africancaptain Graeme Smith and rival captain Elton Chigumburashowered accolades on Tahir for his effort of 3/35.

"I have seen quite a lot of Tahir in English county. Iknow he is a quality bowler. I am sure he will have an impacton the World Cup competition," former England Test batsmanButcher told the mediapersons.

Expressing happiness over Tahir''s performance, Smithstated, "The wicket is little bit underprepared. It wasImran''s day. Tahir is naturally a tough guy perhaps he waslittle bit tense today. He started to be more consistent inlength and was more confidence on what he was doing. For me itis nice to see a guy making good use of the opportunity. Hegave himself a platform to bowl on now."

Smith also praised the other slow bowlers in the side.

"All our spinners bowled well. There is good competitionin the squad. This is a big positive as there are many playerswho are challenging each other for a place in the XI. MORE VSRE KHS