Australia's ground curators "have been silenced as cricket authorities ramp up the fight against match-fixing before a bumper summer culminating in the World Cup," according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
Groundsmen at Australia's int'l venues "spend much of the year far away from the spotlight but when the Test circuit turns up each year they all of a sudden become in demand as information is sought, particularly by the gambling community, on the pitch they have prepared and how, as a result, the match may pan out." They "have traditionally spoken openly about the decks they have produced." Curators from around the country "were flown to a meeting in New Zealand and told that under strengthening anti-corruption measures they are no longer permitted to provide detailed information about their pitches before matches." They "will still be able to talk in general terms, but have been instructed not to offer specifics, such as delving into whether they would advise batting or bowling first or their beliefs on who the pitch might favour" (SMH, 11/7).
