If the first Test between India and SA was being played at St George’s Park, groundsman Adrian Carter would have been fired by now. Or burnt in effigy. Probably both.
But the first Test is being played at Mohali, where the groundsman, Daljit Singh, who has been in the business for more than 30 years, can expect to keep his job for however much life he has left considering he is 73.
At stumps on the second day yesterday 22 wickets had fallen in the match, 18 of them to spinners, and India were 125/2 in their second innings – a lead of 142.
That may already be big enough to earn the edge going into the next match in Bangalore next Saturday, especially as Dale Steyn has yet to bowl in India’s second innings and may not do so at all.
“I think he’s struggling,” SA spin consultant Claude Henderson said.
“I think he’s got a groin strain and I can’t see him bowling tomorrow.”
Considering the pitch, Steyn may be quietly happy with that.
Surfaces should and do favour the home side. That is part of what sets cricket apart from lesser sports.
However, the degree to which this should happen is another discussion.
From the first session of this match the pitch took fast bowlers out of the game and made batting a matter of survival more than anything else.
And that’s the best of it.
The worst of it is that this pitch tells us India are running scared of taking on South Africa on anything like level terms.
Henderson concurred: “I wasn’t surprised when I saw the wicket. It’s good tactics by India, preparing a wicket like that.”
In fact, between the superb bowling of India’s spin trio of Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra, and SA’s attempts to hit rather than play themselves into the lead or even stay in the game, there was no mystery why the visitors lost eight wickets for 156 runs in 48 overs yesterday.
Tough pitch for SA
But the first Test is being played at Mohali, where the groundsman, Daljit Singh, who has been in the business for more than 30 years, can expect to keep his job for however much life he has left considering he is 73.
At stumps on the second day yesterday 22 wickets had fallen in the match, 18 of them to spinners, and India were 125/2 in their second innings – a lead of 142.
That may already be big enough to earn the edge going into the next match in Bangalore next Saturday, especially as Dale Steyn has yet to bowl in India’s second innings and may not do so at all.
“I think he’s struggling,” SA spin consultant Claude Henderson said.
“I think he’s got a groin strain and I can’t see him bowling tomorrow.”
Considering the pitch, Steyn may be quietly happy with that.
Surfaces should and do favour the home side. That is part of what sets cricket apart from lesser sports.
However, the degree to which this should happen is another discussion.
From the first session of this match the pitch took fast bowlers out of the game and made batting a matter of survival more than anything else.
And that’s the best of it.
The worst of it is that this pitch tells us India are running scared of taking on South Africa on anything like level terms.
Henderson concurred: “I wasn’t surprised when I saw the wicket. It’s good tactics by India, preparing a wicket like that.”
In fact, between the superb bowling of India’s spin trio of Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra, and SA’s attempts to hit rather than play themselves into the lead or even stay in the game, there was no mystery why the visitors lost eight wickets for 156 runs in 48 overs yesterday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos