A cricket groundsman in Australia wasn't about to let a rain-soaked pitch prevent the first game of a new season being played - he set fire to it, reported The Sun.


Before and after

Tracy Village Cricket Club president Jack Flynn, who also doubles as the groundsman, turned up to the ground for the the Darwin and District Cricket T20 competition to see the covers he had put over the pitch the night before not there anymore and the pitch soaked.

He said: "I first thought they had blown off and I was about to be responsible for the season opener being cancelled. I later found out the covers had been removed by someone. It was wet from storms and I only had six hours to get it up."

So he decided to set it on fire!!

He explained his reasoning: "I've seen people chuck coals on the pitch to dry it out and in the Caribbean they use kerosene on it. I didn't want to use something that was oil-based, so I thought metho - methylated spirits - would do the trick.

"It's just alcohol and I figured it should burn up and not leave any residue. I used 20 litres first and it didn't do much, so I poured another 40 litres on and it dried it right out."

Jack's quick-thinking ensured the sabotage attempt was in vain, the games went ahead and there was no lasting damage to his pride and joy.

I'm not so sure however, that this will become official ECB pitch advice!