1.   The new pitches play on emotions, suggesting people buy bricks to memorialize a birthday or anniversary.

2.   The sales pitch plays on a sad Russian reality of soaring alcoholism and unemployment rates among men, often leaving women as the sole providers and caregivers.

3.   One pitch played on the fact the region is bisected by the date line.

4.   The pitch is still playing comfortably, although there is some uneven bounce and slow turn for left arm spinner Tufnell.

5.   But Martyn defended his move, saying he had to take into account the ease with which the pitch was playing.

6.   But the Australians also found stroke-making difficult as the pitch played slow and low.

7.   With the way the pitch has played and the commitment that these two have shown, anything is possible.