At a time when many cricket followers are bemoaning the decline of Test cricket, there was fierce criticism concerning the Newlands pitch, which performed a major half in seeing the second Test between the Proteas and India finish inside a day and a half. It was the shortest accomplished Test in historical past.
Subsequently it has been confirmed that the ICC has handed out an “unsatisfactory” rating and one demerit level to the pitch, with ICC match referee Chris Broad explaining the reasoning for the rating which is not going to be appealed by Cricket South Africa.
“The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on,” Broad mentioned. “The ball bounced quickly and sometimes alarmingly throughout the match, making it difficult to play shots. Several batters were hit on the gloves and many wickets also fell due to the awkward bounce.”
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Due to inconsistent bounce, it was the kind of wicket that even one of the best batsmen battled to regulate to, and in the end wickets fell at a ridiculous charge of knots.
After the sport, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad sought to defend the pitch that was ready.
“I know Braam [Mong, the groundsman]. Braam is a good guy. Sometimes good guys get things wrong,” Conrad commented, as quoted by CricInfo. “This doesn’t turn Braam into a rubbish groundsman,” Conrad mentioned. “You’ve got to feel for the groundsman, especially down in Cape Town, where we’ve got wind to contend with and he wants to get it so right that maybe the wicket was a little bit over-prepared. He’s got to take it on the chin. That will be my message to Braam.”
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Newlands wicket within the highlight
Test debutant Tristan Stubbs notably obtained an apology from Conrad “for giving him a debut on a wicket like this”, however the coach sought to downplay the circumstances in Cape Town.
“I say just give us a typical wicket that we are going to get here. I don’t want to be doctoring wickets,” Conrad mentioned. “We’ve got new batters in international cricket, they need to learn their trade and playing on wickets like this doesn’t do it for them. I never did and never will prescribe to groundsmen. Ultimately they’ve also got jobs.”
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Backlash from India
Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma hit out on the requirements of the pitch, however primarily what he seen as double requirements relating to criticism India faces for his or her gradual and turning wickets.
“I mean, we saw what happened in this match, how the pitch played and stuff like that,” Rohit mentioned. “I truthfully don’t thoughts taking part in on pitches like this. As lengthy as everybody retains their mouth shut in India and don’t discuss an excessive amount of about Indian pitches, truthfully.
“Because you come right here [in Test cricket] to problem your self. Yes, it’s harmful. It is difficult. So, and when folks come to India, it’s once more fairly difficult as nicely. Look, when you find yourself right here to play Test cricket, we speak about Test cricket, the last word prize, Test cricket being the top and stuff like that. I feel it’s essential that we additionally stand by it.
“When you are put up against, a challenge like that, you come and face it. That’s what happens in India, but, in India on day one, if the pitch starts turning, people start talking about ‘Puff of dust! Puff of dust!’ There’s so much crack here on the pitch. People are not looking at that.”
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