Shield pitches too batter-friendly: Cowan

Former Australian opening batter Ed Cowan has suggested lifeless wickets in the Sheffield Shield could be hurting Australia's international results.

Ed Cowan has pleaded with curators for more bowler-friendly wickets, hinting lifeless pitches could hurt Australia's overseas results.

Blues players were left frustrated after the hard WACA surface severely damaged the pink ball in their most recent clash, while neither that drawn match or the one in Lincoln, New Zealand earlier this month reached a fourth innings.

"They were absolute killers," Cowan said.

"We played on two really benign tracks, really disappointing.

"It doesn't have to be a raging seemer but you would like to see the ball come through with some good pace and bounce and certainly with a new ball offering some swing and seam."

When asked, Cowan also said it needed to be questioned whether this was part of Australia's batting problems away from home.

"It's something we've got to consider," he said.

"It's almost come full-circle because a couple of years ago there was a decree handed down that wickets needed to be flatter," he said.

"I'm of the opinion that it's probably gone too far."

Australia were bowled out for less than 150 twice in the recent Ashes series in England, and were lucky to bowl first on two green-tops in New Zealand.

Cowan also believes part of problem is more matches are being played away from each team's traditional home.

NSW will play just one full match at the SCG this summer, after one was abandoned and another was subsequently moved.

They face South Australia in Coffs Harbour this week, and would have played out another lacklustre draw in the regional Queensland town of Mackay if not for a generous declaration from the Bulls.

"You end up with these grounds whether it be Lincoln or Bankstown Oval where the wickets tend to be a bit lower and slower."

That problem is only likely to intensify with Alice Springs and Glenelg in line to host matches before the end of the season.


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Source: AAP



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