***Official*** Pakistan in South Africa

[adharcric]

These batsmen usually get to boost their averages on flat tracks. Let them get a good workout ... and there's nothing wrong with the bowlers getting a little help for once.

 

[Perm]

I only saw Smith bat but, in his case, the pitch was irrelevant when you consider that Sami and co dished up half volley after half volley.

Im all in favour of having some spice in the wicket to give fast bowlers encouragement on day one but when fast bowlers start bowling leg-cutters like leg breaks and chunks are flying out of the wicket on a regular basis, you know it's not right.

I do understand where you are coming from, the pitch is substandard in that regard and the fact that it was crumbling on day one is quite suspect. However run-making, although difficult, is not impossible.

 

[Fiery]

I do understand where you are coming from, the pitch is substandard in that regard and the fact that it was crumbling on day one is quite suspect. However run-making, although difficult, is not impossible.

It's a terrible test pitch. Barry Richards said it's a 150 pitch at the start and he wasn't far wrong

 

[social]

It's a terrible test pitch. Barry Richards said it's a 150 pitch at the start and he wasn't far wrong

I went out when Pakistan were one down and returned when SA had lost their first wicket.

The most surprising thing for me wasnt that Pak were all out but that they had actually made it to 157.

 

[Fiery]

The most surprising thing for me wasnt that Pak were all out but that they had actually made it to 157.

That was only because of yet another outstanding innings by Yousuf. This one wont go into day 4.

 

[Perm]

It's a terrible test pitch. Barry Richards said it's a 150 pitch at the start and he wasn't far wrong

I would rather have the odd pitch like this than have every game be dominated by the batsman.

 

[Fiery]

I would rather have the odd pitch like this than have every game be dominated by the batsman.

Yeah that's a fair point but ideally tests should last a bit longer than 2 1/2 days

 

[Perm]

Yeah that's a fair point but ideally tests should last a bit longer than 2 1/2 days

Just making up for all the run-fest's where a winner can't be found in 5 days.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

A pitch can be a minefield and a poor test wicket without actually being poor to watch cricket on. The Mumbai 2004 wicket wasn't one you'd want to appear too often in international cricket, but it was a very entertaining test match. The same applies here.

The weirdest thing about this wicket, incidentally, is how massively different it is at one end as compared to the other. One end of the wicket has big patches of live, green grass and dark surface around it, and the other end looks dry and is falling to bits already. One of the strangest test wickets I've seen.

 

[silentstriker]

A pitch can be a minefield and a poor test wicket without actually being poor to watch cricket on. The Mumbai 2004 wicket wasn't one you'd want to appear too often in international cricket, but it was a very entertaining test match. The same applies here.

The weirdest thing about this wicket, incidentally, is how massively different it is at one end as compared to the other. One end of the wicket has big patches of live, green grass and dark surface around it, and the other end looks dry and is falling to bits already. One of the strangest test wickets I've seen.

You know, I've always wondered if it would be a good idea (or even possible) to have a lawn on one side and dry cracking dust bowl on the other. Would make things very interesting to bat on. If you get the balance right, you might see some great cricket.

 

[Fiery]

Just making up for all the run-fest's where a winner can't be found in 5 days.

I guess so dude and I'm sure there are thousands of bowlers out there who will agree with you

 

[social]

You know, I've always wondered if it would be a good idea (or even possible) to have a lawn on one side and dry cracking dust bowl on the other. Would make things very interesting to bat on. If you get the balance right, you might see some great cricket.

There has been a few examples of that over the years in county cricket where the home side had a top paceman and spinner (might have been Lancashire when Akram was playing) - basically a green-top at one end and dust bowl at the other

To be fair, I think some of the drop in wickets in Oz have produced "roads" with none of the characterisics previously associated with the ground. They are in some ways as bad as this one and the good bowlers (e.g. McGrath and Warne) have still found ways to perform.

I suppose I'm looking for nirvana where everyone has a fair shot and ordinary players arent rewarded with figures non-commensurate with their ability.

 

[Fusion]

Kaneria gets Prince!! Great start for Pakistan.

 

[Fusion]

Asif gets Harris the very next over! SA in trouble here...

 

[Perm]

Great start by Pakistan, Prince a little bit unlucky as replays suggested he didn't get any bat on it.

 

[Fusion]

Hall is next to go, courtesy Kaneria. Pakistan have a good shot of preserving their lead...

 

[Jono]

I find it extremely ironic that on the toughest wicket to bat on in this series so far, with minimal time to adapt to the conditions, Yousuf was the clear superior batsman in not only the Pakistani team, but both teams.

Flat track bully, yeah

Go Yousuf you good thing. And Kaneria turning it on is awesome as well.

 

[Fiery]

I find it extremely ironic that on the toughest wicket to bat on in this series so far, with minimal time to adapt to the conditions, Yousuf was the clear superior batsman in not only the Pakistani team, but both teams.

Flat track bully, yeah

Go Yousuf you good thing. And Kaneria turning it on is awesome as well.

There's no doubt, Yousuf is making a claim to be the best bat in the world at the moment.
Asif's run-up and delivery are very languid and easy on the eye. Remind me of Michael Holding a bit. Boucher might be good for a 30-40 run lead here which might be crucial in a low scoring match like this. This is great stuff

 

[Fusion]

Ouch. Asif got taken apart in the last over for 21 runs. Boucher providing crucial runs to SA.

 

[PY]

Boucher is doing really well here, even if it is only a few runs it is the momentum that counts.

Can't under-estimate Steyn's efforts too, 15 balls is a far effort for a rabbit on this pitch.

EDIT: What happened in that over Fusion? Cricinfo is in a right mess, according the writing they got over 21.