India, who are yet to lose a game in England in the format, will fancy their chances of a win after it came to light that the two teams will be playing on a pitch that hosted a men’s T20 Blast game last week. India, with a plethora of spin options, could possibly go into the game with two specialist spinners, with Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur capable of turning their arm over as well.

England skipper Heather Knight, speaking to the media during the pre-match press conference, termed the development as “not ideal”, whilst also revealing that a request to get a fresh wicket for the game was denied.

 

Well the women are playing their 1st home Test in 2 yrs on a used wicket, ‘cos there was a men’s T20 Blast match on it last wk.

“Obviously not ideal,” says Heather Knight, ever the diplomat. Tried to change it. Request denied.

I’m not a diplomat: bloody shambles, imo. #ENGvIND

— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) June 15, 2021

HK the leader they don’t deserve. “It is what it is.”

FWIW it may well play okay, Bristol has been gd in past on used wickets.

But it’s the principle innit? Understand was an oversight that wasn’t rectified in time.

Can. You. Imagine. If. This. Happened. To. A. Men’s. Test.

— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) June 15, 2021

AN OVERSIGHT THAT WASN’T RECITIFIED IN TIME!

Words (and this is not a frequent occurrence…) fail me! https://t.co/3oAs12dB2I

— Women’s County Cricket Day (@WomensCricDay) June 15, 2021

Hahahahaha of course England’s first home test match for 2 years is on a USED WICKET!!!

Massive moment in the game playing India in a test match… I know, yes, perfect let’s stick them on a used one.

You have to laugh or you will cry.

WHAT. A. SHAMBLES.

it plays well.

— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) June 15, 2021

This is about setting expectations for the women’s game, both within and outside of it. If the ECB had any influence in this, they should be ashamed for not sorting it out. Wickets for any test matches should be new. Men’s or women’s, it doesn’t matter. The same should apply!

— Nick Johnston (@nickmjohnston) June 15, 2021

This is so poor. A Test match on a used pitch? Simply wouldn’t happen in the men’s game. Shambles is one word for it. https://t.co/aLo3k5LtJZ

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) June 15, 2021

This is a disgrace. Our local club groundsman manages to prepare 2 strips every weekend for Saturday and Sunday teams. One is repaired for senior training, the other if needed for a U15 match. So our women’s team is valued on a par with practise and junior local club needs…

— Sarah Tomsett (@TomsettSarah) June 15, 2021

Heather Knight being diplomatic and polite. We can say it like it is. A disgrace and an insult to women’s cricket.

— Paul Ferbrache (@Ferbie27) June 15, 2021

That is insulting…..a test has a new wicket…its a matter of respect for the fact that its a Test match ! not a slog of a beer match…if they knew they had the game they should have prepared a strip…..

— stephen beaumont (@Beaumont10S) June 15, 2021

The Aussies will get this gif. disappointing to hear this!! https://t.co/5yY5gXjveg pic.twitter.com/60orXyckSp

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) June 15, 2021

After a barrage of criticism, an ECB spokesperson said: “We are all disappointed that the wicket for the LV= Insurance Test match against India will have had 37 overs played on it. We know that England Women deserve a fresh wicket and we are sorry that we were unable to provide that in this instance.

“With the Test only being added to the calendar in mid-April, coupled with the lack of available first class grounds, we knew a fresh TV pitch was going to be a challenge. We accept that this issue shouldn’t have arisen and we will make sure it doesn’t happen in the future.

“With the exception of Hove – the venue for the second Vitality IT20, for which a hybrid wicket will be used – all other white-ball matches against India will be played on fresh wickets including the opening Royal London ODI at Bristol on the 27th June.”