Pitches that produce a flurry of wickets in low scoring games are invariably the ones that attract the attention of ECB pitch inspectors because these are the usual accepted symptoms of a sub-standard surface.

But it's possible for some pitches to be overly biased towards the batsman and I contend that these should also attract some suspicion from the inspectors.

Take the case of our Championship match last week against Glamorgan at Cardiff. Five sessions were lost to rain, but when the game was finally abandoned, nearly 1,000 runs had been scored for the loss of 13 wickets. There was no chance of a result in a week's cricket, let alone four days, such was the flat, dead nature of the wicket.

Perhaps the groundsman should be congratulated for producing such a prime batting pitch so early in April. But one would guess that the home side, depleted by injuries in the seam bowling department, wanted the most placid wicket possible so as not to give the likes of Wasim Akram and Chris Tremlett any advantage to exploit. If that was the case, the plan worked perfectly as there was not a hint of real seam movement at any stage and the consistent bounce was so low as to barely reach stump height.

All in all it made for a dull spectacle, though some fine batting from both teams enlightened proceedings at times. On our side, Dimitri Mascarenhas was the star, smashing an unbeaten century in the quest for quick runs before our declaration on the second day. His second 50 came from just 20 balls and contained plenty of his spectacular trademark of bat speed and clean hitting.

On the previous day, Robin Smith and Nic Pothas continued their excellent early season form with 92 and 87 respectively as useful contributions were made right through the order.

Still lots to do

Despite the frustration of being unable to press home our advantage due to the lifeless pitch and poor weather, the feeling in the camp was one of satisfaction that we have been doing a lot of good things - though there is clearly still a way to go.

The leadership that we have been getting from the coaches, captain and physio has been first class and the players have responded to the positive approach that we are being encouraged to follow. We are committed to go out to win games from the off and not to sit back and see what happens. The players are clearly happier to take this proactive approach and to try to dictate games.

Overseas men settle

As ever, the influence of the overseas player, or players in the case of this season, is very important to the team's approach. We have always been fortunate that players who have come in from outside Hampshire have fitted in quickly to the set-up and Wasim and Simon Katich are no exceptions. I'm not too sure whether this is a testament to the type of players we recruit or the atmosphere and traditions of the club - a bit of both I guess.

'Waz' is already a very popular member of the squad, fully partaking in team activities and making useful contributions in all circumstances. A man with his experience and nearly 1,000 international wickets to his name is worth listening to.

'Kat' has only just arrived but is an exceptionally easy-going character. No doubt it helps that he has been involved in county cricket in the past at Durham and, very briefly, with Yorkshire and so knows the scene and several of us already. Paddy Farhart is his physio at New South Wales with whom Charlie van der Gucht, Alex Morris and James Bruce spent time training in the winter, while Paul Terry, Dimi and Alan Mullally all know him well from his home town of Perth.

He has undoubted class as a batsman and can bowl more than respectable left arm wrist spin too. He has had a taste of international cricket, making his Test debut at Headingley on the last Ashes tour. Few batsmen break into the current Aussie line-up permanently at the first time of asking, but what the Australian system does very well is to continue to nurture such talent.

Here in England we tend to write off players after an initial look, while in Australia they give them plenty of opportunities in the 'A' team and often wait until their late twenties, when their batting is reaching its peak, before giving them another chance. Invariably they take this opportunity. Matt Hayden, Justin Langer, Damien Martin and Darren Lehmann are all examples of this style of schooling.

Who is to say that Simon Katich won't be following in their footsteps? A stack of runs this summer will certainly help.