Adhesive to be sprayed on CCI pitch to help it last 100 overs!

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) In a desperate and rather queer bid to enable the under-fire Cricket Club of India (CCI) pitch last the full 100 overs, it has been decided to spray Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesive ahead of tomorrow's ICC Champions Trophy match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

According to an ICC release today, the decision was taken following an inspection of pitches at the venue by ICC grounds consultant Andy Atkinson, after concerns over their lasting qualities.

''The PVA glue will be sprayed onto the pitch in the morning in order to bind the surface together and make sure that it lasts 100 overs so that conditions remain consistent throughout the match.

''This procedure has been used before with good results in New Zealand and at Old Trafford in England so we are confident it will be successful. It is not a panacea -- it will not make a bad pitch into a good pitch -- but it has been proven to be an effective method of preventing pitches from disintegrating as the game goes along,'' Mr Atkinson said.

Five litres of the glue is mixed with ten litres of water and it is then sprayed evenly over the full length of the pitch. It takes about 20 minutes to apply and it is then left for about 90 minutes to dry. Once that time has passed the pitch is rolled and is then ready for play. It is likely the procedure will also be used for the ICC Champions Trophy final, to be staged at the same venue on November 5.

''I am just here to help the ground staff,'' said Mr Atkinson, who had previous undertaken a series of visits to all the ICC Champions Trophy venues in the six months leading up to the start of the tournament.

''They do a very good job and the ground is looking in marvellous condition. There was a fantastic match here between Australia and the West Indies yesterday and we are looking forward to more great cricket for the rest of the tournament,'' he added.

UNI AY VD BST2119