Ard Mhacha - Re Test Wickets and some of your comments on them

"on a doctored wicket at Old Trafford"

"The wicket at Headingly won`t be like the ploughed field at Trent Bridge, the South African Captain wasn`t too pleased, which resulted in the game being a lottery."

It is the "home sides" perogative to prepare test wickets to their advantage. Test grounds are selected and the Captain of the home side tells the head groundsman exactly how he wants that test wicket to be prepared for that test. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes not, particularly in England due to the weather. It is not "cheating", it is no part of any diabolical "Brit" plot - It is allowed - It is part of the game - It is done the world over where cricket is played.