NSW could spin themselves out of some silverware if they attempt to doctor a flat pitch for this week’s Sheffield Shield final, according to Western Australia coach Justin Langer.
The Blues only need a draw to win the Shield title after beating out WA for top spot on the table.
With the SCG unavailable to host the five-day decider – starting Friday – NSW have been forced to move the game to Canberra’s Manuka Oval, where they beat the Warriors by three wickets last week.
In that game, the Blues’ pacemen wreaked havoc early, with Doug Bollinger and Josh Hazlewood combining for eight wickets to dismiss the Warriors for 82 in the first innings.
But from that point on it was WA’s spinners who shone, with Ashton Agar snaring 5-74 in NSW’s first innings, before part-time tweaker Marcus North collected three wickets in the Blues’ second dig and Agar chimed in for two.
Langer said if NSW attempt to persuade Manuka Oval groundsman Brad Van Dam to prepare a flat pitch in a bid to improve their chances of drawing the game, it could end up backfiring badly.
“The great danger for them at Manuka is if they try to keep it too flat, I’m absolutely certain it will start spinning like Mumbai,” Langer said.
“We saw it spun on a very good cricket wicket we played on (in Canberra) last week. So if they keep it too flat and they take too much grass off it, I’ve got no doubt it will spin big time.”
NSW are likely to be bolstered by the return of Test captain Michael Clarke and star all-rounder Moises Henriques, but left-arm Bollinger will miss the clash after being called up for the Twenty20 World Cup to replace the injured Mitchell Johnson.
The Warriors haven’t won the Shield title since 1999, and are sweating on the fitness of all-rounder Mitch Marsh, who is battling a side strain but is a chance to play as a specialist batsman.
WA cricket is on a high after winning the T20 Big Bash League and reaching the Shield final.
But Langer, who was appointed coach in November 2012, hopes this is merely the start of something special.
“Winning a Shield final would be nice. Winning five or six would be the ultimate,” Langer said.
“When I took on the job I knew it wasn’t going to be a short term fix.
“I knew there wasn’t any magic dust.
“We were looking to build a dynasty of success in West Australian cricket. It’s nice to have the opportunity to start that this weekend.”
