Gabba officials hose down pitch fears - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Gabba officials hose down pitch fears

By Jim Morton 20/06/2008 02:46:31 PM Comments (0)

Gabba authorities have moved to hose down concerns over the cricket ground's surface before Saturday night's AFL clash between Brisbane and Adelaide.

Both the Lions and the Crows have voiced their fears over the centre-wicket area which Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews and his players have described as "concrete".

With the club demanding a drop-in pitch, Matthews has warned Stadiums Queensland it faces a major lawsuit if it continues to ignore the dangers of the ground.

Adelaide have also indicated club officials would inspect the surface before the match and ask for extra watering if they deem it would ease the risks of injury.

But SQ, which administers the Gabba, declared the ground met the standards set by the AFL and staff wouldn't alter the way it was prepared.

A spokesperson for SQ said the body took the complaints seriously but highlighted the fact the Gabba was a multi-use venue hosting up to 13 AFL matches and more than 30 days of cricket a year.

"The Gabba playing surface meets the standards set by the AFL prior to each game," the spokesperson said.

"These standards include parameters relating to the hardness of the wicket area.

"Ground staff take measurements to record the hardness of the wicket area in the centre of the field and other areas around the ground to ensure the playing surface meets the standards set by the AFL prior to each game being played.

"In addition, the AFL also inspects the field prior to each game to ensure the field is in a suitable condition to play AFL on."

The Gabba ground staff completes watering the surface on the eve of the match to ensure it's not slippery in the game.

But Lions co-captain Luke Power complained the surface was too hard in day games and slippery at night.

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