Proteas complain about ‘disappointing’ Wanderers pitch

The Wanderers pitch has come in for criticism from the Proteas after the Sri Lankans levelled the T20 series with a three-wicket win at the weekend.

The conditions clearly suited the sub-continental team.

A dry, cracked surface provided plenty of turn as well as some low bounce, and the Sri Lankans capitalised by bowling the home side out for just 113.

Also read: Lungi Ngidi can’t quite save Proteas in chaotic Wanderers T20

It is the Protes’ lowest ever completed total against the Islanders and third lowest against all opposition.

Left-arm unorthodox spinner Lakshan Shandakan was the chief destroyer with four for 23.

“The pitch was very disappointing and it played right into Sri Lanka’s hands. They changed their selection at the last minute and included three spinners, and it felt like playing in Colombo,” Proteas captain Farhaan Behardien said.

“Normally it’s a high-scoring game at the Bullring, with lots of fours and sixes, but the pitch really brought the spinners into play. It was a very slow pitch and all the batsmen struggled. We will definitely be asking a few questions.”

The anger over the pitch comes in the wake of Test captain Faf du Plessis making it clear during the five-day series that there was a new push from the Proteas to prepare pitches that actually give them home ground advantage rather than help the opposition.

He freely admitted to requesting groundsmen to produce specific surfaces.

It was also a new experience for leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who predictably also revelled in the conditions, and finished with one for 14 in four excellent overs.

“I enjoyed bowling on it and it’s the first time at the Wanderers that I have gone for less than 20 runs. The pitch was very new for everyone, we were surprised. We have never seen the Wanderers spin that much.

“We must play on good pitches that provide bounce, because that’s what Sri Lanka don’t want. Hopefully we’ll get that in Cape Town,” Tahir said.

The Proteas did admit, however, that the chief reason for their defeat was a poor batting display.

“We thought that if we could score 130-140 then we would definitely contend, but we were a bit frenetic. Normally I would have chased at the Wanderers, but because of the abrasive, dry pitch we tried to set a target,” said Behardien.

“But we lost wickets at crucial moments, it stunted our momentum going forward and we couldn’t build any partnerships, which are crucial on a slow wicket. It’s difficult for the new batsmen coming in.”

Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford was equally surprised by the pitch, but hinted that the tourists felt there was some justice for the difficult conditions they have to contend with all tour.

Also read: Further woe for Sri Lanka as captain Angelo Mathews flies home 

“I was very surprised. I said to the guys in the build-up to the game that there would be quite a lot of runs scored, it would be a high-scoring game, especially if you see the stats for the ground. But I was amazed to see how dry the pitch was. But in the other games, conditions really haven’t suited us,” Ford said.

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