India vs New Zealand: Groundsmen use vacuum cleaner as drier at bowlers’ run-up

The start of the second Test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been delayed due to persistent rain over the last two days. The umpires, match officials and the groundstaff are trying their hearts out to get the playing conditions ready. Pitch inspections are also talking place to ascertain if the conditions are suitable for playing cricket.

In the meantime, the groundsmen were seen using vacuum cleaner to dry the area at the bowlers’ run-up. The wet patches at various places in the outfield have well and truly kept the umpires on their toes. It remains to be seen if play happens on the first day of New Zealand’s final game on the tour of India.

Vacuum cleaner being employed as a drier at the run-up. Highly innovative! #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/GAl4ppXYR1

— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) December 3, 2021

Prior to the start of the game, umpire Nitin Menon had expressed concerns over the areas near the bowlers’ run-up and the 30-year circle. Anil Chaudhary, Menon’s fellow umpire, also admitted that the conditions won’t be overly suitable for playing cricket due to the conditions over the last few days.

Umpires not expecting 100% conditions for Mumbai Test

“Our main concern is the 30-yard (circle) and the bowlers’ run-ups,” umpire Menon was quoted as saying. “The conditions will not be 100% because it has rained last two days. But once the sunshine is out, we may get better conditions. Safety is the only thing; the rest is fine,” Chaudhary said.

Prior to the game, former Indian cricketers Ajit Agarkar and Deep Dasgupta conducted the pitch report and said that batting first should be the way forward. The veterans said that the pitch will assist spin-bowling as the game goes along and batting fourth may not be a great decision.

“There’s a bit of moisture usually, but this might hold because it’s been under the covers. This will certainly spin, because I can see cracks and these will open up with the sun out. Because of the moisture on Day 1, there will be seam, so if you bat first you have to bat well, but you don’t want to bat last. This might be a good toss to lose,” they said.

The first Test between the two teams at the Green Park in Kanpur ended in a draw after a riveting display of cricket on Day five.