Dew Factor: Vettori bowled with a 'bar of soap', complains Fleming

Mohali, Oct 26 (UNI) Despite the comfortable 51-run win over Pakistan, which took them to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming complained about the dew factor and said the chemical spray meant to combat it failed miserably, leaving his bowlers with a 'bar of soap' to bowl with.

Unamused with the dew on the pitch, Fleming said the ICC's ploy of combating the issue by spraying chemicals on the strip didn't really work.

''Inspite of spraying chemicals, there was dew in the field'', he complained and felt Daniel Vettori bowled well in the match ''with a bar of soap''.

''Whereas, in the first 25 overs of our innings, the ball was seaming around and it was a case of survival for most of the players,'' he said.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was also enraged and questioned the logic behind hosting an event like the ICC Champions Trophy in venues where conditions are not exactly ideal.

Talking to reporters after the defeat against New Zealand, Woolmer said the ploy to spray chemicals and neutralise the dew factor worked partially but the organisers need to take these factors into account before scheduling a tournament.

''The chemical did stop dew from gathering on the grass and worked to some extent. But I think it's time we ask the organisers what's the point of hosting matches at a place where you have the dew,'' he opined.

Meanwhile, after booking the semifinal berth with, Fleming said couple of crucial catches tilted the scale in the Kiwis' favour.

''We needed couple of catches at crucial moments and I think that made all the difference in the match,'' he told reporters after the match.

Admitting that Mohd Yousuf (71) and Shoaib Malik (52) were cruising along, adding to his woes, Fleming said, ''We needed something to happen at that stage and got the crucial wicket of Yousuf.'' On his own 80-run knock, Fleming said, ''I'm definitely not batting as well as I can do but at least I'm getting the job done.'' Delighted to have made it to the semifinals, Fleming said, ''We are happy to be at the Business End of the tournament and hopefully we will see more interesting matches ni the coming days.'' He was also all praise for pacer Shane Bond and said, ''He is a quick bowler on his day. But today, he worked hard and bowled smartly.'' Meanwhile, Woolmer rued one more partnership, apart from the one between Mohd Yousuf and Shoaib Malik, would have won the match for Pakistan.

''We made too many mistakes and we would have made it with two partnerships. At one point, we thought we would make it but they made some mistakes,'' he lamented.

He was critical of the Pakistani bowlers as well.

''We gave away too many runs in the last 10 overs. They bowled too many wides and length balls. There was no variation at all,'' he observed.

On the next game against South Africa, a side he had coached earlier, Woolmer said, ''South Africa are on a roll and they would definitely come hard at us.'' Pakistan captain Younis Khan, who had thundered that he survives under pressure, didn't come to the press conference.

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