The third Test between South Africa and India is in news for all the wrong reasons. Though the bowlers are garnering applause for their bowling at the Wanderers pitch; the commentators and viewers are criticizing the pitch for its uneven bounce and cracks at good length.
India managed to score 187 and South Africa replied with 194. But in the second innings, the Indian batsmen found it extremely difficult to negotiate the bounce and carry of the ball, something that hampered the Proteas batsmen as well.
At the lunch break, the umpires were seen in conversation with head groundsman Bethuel Buthelezi and consultant Chris Scott. Both then went to attend to the pitch, along with the regular ground staff.
Twitter was in amazement too as the pitch unraveled its demons in form of cracks at the good length and shared their views via tweets.
Ok... now I am hiding behind the chair watching this match. If it’s too dangerous to play... then India should win the game.. the pitch is the responsibility of the Home Team!
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) January 26, 2018
A dust bowl like Pune doesn’t get better with time. But it doesn’t present a physical danger.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2018
Pitches like the one at Jo’burg ‘might’ get better with time...but also, threaten player safety. #SAvIND
Hahaha naughty pitch????.. yeah misbehaving and how.. not good for Cricket.. not done @ICC must look into it https://t.co/ZXbi8n7rmv
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 26, 2018
Very naughty pitch but so far India have found a way to survive. Umpires have begun looking at it closely
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 26, 2018
Not a clever pitch at all at Wanderers now. Not like Jamaica abandoned match though.
— mike selvey (@selvecricket) January 26, 2018
Expect the pitch to dominate all post mortems of this series. This latest gem is getting more and more dangerous, and India - and even South African batsmen - have every right to feel aggrieved. It's not quite cricket anymore. Excessive? That is an understatement. #SAvInd
— Lungani Zama (@whamzam17) January 26, 2018
Pitches doctored for spin provide vicious turn and bounce but not a bodily threat. This one at Wanderers, also doctored, can maim a batsman
— Cricketwallah Indian (@cricketwallah) January 26, 2018
Plenty of blows to the body already. Andy Pycroft, the match referee, is going to be in business. Will be extremely surprised if this pitch isn't censured in some form. #SAvIND
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) January 26, 2018
I've lost count of the number of times batsmen have been hit in this game. On air, Holding rated this pitch 2/100. That's probably generous. It's atrocious. #SAvIND
— Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) January 26, 2018