By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, IANS
Kanpur: South African team coach Mickey Arthur Saturday said that the Green Park pitch was not ideal for Test cricket.
Arthur also said that he expected India to prepare such a track as they were trailing 0-1 in the series.
“There is always something happening on the wicket. It is behaving like a fifth day pitch on the second day. It played a little better than expected, but is not ideal for Test cricket,” Arthur told reporters here.
“We would have left grass in South African wickets in this situation. We would have played to our strength. We expected India to prepare a wicket like this. In a funny sort of way, a wicket like this will provide a very exciting result.”
India, replying to South Africa’s 265, were 288 for nine at stumps Saturday.
Many people felt that the pitch was prepared to help Indian spinners and that it would crack early.
Arthur also supported captain Graeme Smith for calling it an under-prepared pitch.
“Graeme is right that it is under-prepared wicket. India prepared a surface that suits them best. The wicket at Ahmedabad was perfect for cricket.
“The Ahmedabad wicket had a little bit of juice for the bowlers in the first session. The batsmen could have cashed in after that. And from day three, there were signs of turn. If the game had gone on, spinners would have come in play.”
Arthur was happy with the way the game had gone so far for them.
“I am happy with the way things went from tea till the end of play. A lead of 20 runs is not that significant. We can’t let it get to 40 or 50 and wrap it up as soon as possible. We have to bat really well and any total over 150 or 160 will be tough to chase.”