Groundsman: Rose Bowl deck not overly grassy

England

The weather forecast for the third Test between England and India in Southampton does not have rain on the radar, meaning the grassy covering on the deck ahead of the match is likely to fade away, like it did at Lord's.

The weather forecast for the third Test between England and India in Southampton does not have rain on the radar, meaning the grassy covering on the deck ahead of the match is likely to fade away, like it did at Lord's.

Head grounds keeper Nigel Gray says the grass isn't as heavy as it was in the second Test, but will still provide a bit of variety for both bat and ball as the game progresses. England failed to take advantage of tailor-made conditions at Lord's, and lost the game.

Gray said on Friday: "It will be a pretty good pitch. It has a bit of grass on it and will have good pace and bounce. A good international pitch. Grass is there but there but it isn't oceans of grass."

When asked about the height of the grass, set to be trimmed down from 8mm, Gray said he went by feel rather than a ruler: "I am not one so much for the height of the grass.

"I go for the feel. We do check the height once in a while and whilst it is interesting it doesn't make the entire difference to what a pitch is like.

"There are other factors like how dense the grass is, how green it is. This has got some green on it."

Given he'd been chatting with skipper Alastair Cook and coach Peter Moores out in the middle on Friday, Gray was asked if any preferences for the grass had been mentioned, and he gave it the dead bat, saying: "Not as far as I am aware."

England India latest-news

Latest