Centurion pitch continues to take a hammering from all

The embattled SuperSport Park and its curator Bryan Bloy just can’t catch a break.

One of the dominant themes in the second Test between the Proteas and India has been the uncharacteristic pitch, which is dry, lacks pace and is already taking turn.

Following Monday’s play, even local Titans boy Morne Morkel admitted the surface is closer to the sub-continent than South Africa.

So much for making homeground advantage count.

“I’ve played cricket here all my life and I’ve never seen a wicket like this at SuperSport Park,” said Morkel.

“It has a very sub-continent feel to it: tough scoring, tough to get people out. It’s definitely not the sort of conditions we want here in South Africa this week.”

The lanky, experienced quick did have the satisfaction of finishing with figures of 4/60 in India’s first innings but that haul certainly didn’t come easy.

“It was really hard work in the heat with conditions incredibly tough. It’s right up there with one of the hardest spells I’ve ever bowled,” said Morkel.

“You’ve got a small window with the new ball and in the first hour in the morning it is a bit quicker off the deck. But after that there is no pace in the wicket, especially from the Pavilion End where I find it very much a tennis ball bounce.”

There was further drama with regards to the conditions, though in this instance Bloy and co were blameless.

Following a sharp thunderstorm at around 3.00pm, India initially didn’t want to take the field again because they felt the outfield was still too damp.

Batting coach Sanjay Bangar made a point of pointing that out to his troops.

However, after reluctantly going back on, the Indians suddenly realised a lot more swing was on offer in the overcast weather.

Five overs later, the umpires called the players off again for bad light.

India skipper Virat Kohli was looked absolutely livid, walking off showing several hand gestures of disdain.

He even went into the match referee’s room to utter his grievances.

“Yeah we were carrying a good momentum so we wanted to carry on,” impressive Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah said.

“It’s okay. We never get too disappointed because there is still lot of play is left in the match.”

** Meanwhile, Morkel rubbished reports from some Indian outlets that he’s on the verge of signing a Kolpak contract with an English county.

“There are still a lot more goals and things to achieve. It’s not true,” he said.

ALSO READ:

//

For more sport your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.