South Africa vs India, 2018: Michael Holding slams Wanderers ‘dangerous’ surface

Former Windies fast-bowler Michael Holding was irked by the Bidvest Wanderers pitch during the third ongoing Test when batsmen received multiple blows on the body.

Holding has slammed the surfaced while giving it just two points out of 100 points while adding the surface has witnessed the inconsistency in the bounce which further continued on day three when India was batting.

The third Test of the ongoing Sunfoil series is being played in Johannesburg as the cracks in the pitch has further made things miserable for the batsmen since the start of the Test on Wednesday (January 24)

In the morning session, opening batsman Murali Vijay was also taken by surprise before being hit on the body as Bhuvneshwar Kumar was astonished to see the ball coming off the deemed dangerous surface viciously.

“They should have called it off when Vijay got hit,” Holding said.

After slamming the Wanderers 22-yard, Holding took a nasty dig while terming the surface as ‘s**t’.

“It’s as**t pitch. You can interpret that,” Holding maintained.

During the 35^th over, the on-field umpires in the form of Aleem Dar and Ian Gould had a close look at the surface which further saw them discussing in the middle of the pitch when Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar was batting.

Moreover, the umpires decided to continue for the second time after inspecting the surface which has witnessed several vicious deliveries leaving batsman.

Interestingly, the TV replays suggested Team India skipper Virat Kohli from the change room suggesting his batsmen stay in the ground before Rahane patted Gould during the brief conversation when play was resumed.

The 63-year-old Holding, who played 60 Tests for Windies, remarked it made it clear by saying the surface is not up to the mark.

“I have no idea what has gone wrong but I know it’s not a good cricket pitch,” Holding reiterated.

Holding, who is a cricketer-turned-commentator further, suggested the game should be called off while terming it is unplayable while observing the conditions closely.

“This is not a cricket pitch, this is dangerous. Call it off, forget it. You can’t play cricket on that,” Holding added.

Some of the balls flew above wicketkeeper’s head after hitting the cracks, as the inconsistent bounce has further instilled somewhat fear among batters to score runs freely at times.

Holding also reminisced about the Jamaica Test which was deemed dangerous in 1998 and was subsequently called off.

“The last time I saw something like this, the match was abandoned: in Jamaica 1998, and it didn’t even last this long,” Holding added on.

On the other side, former South African batsman Kepler Wessels has also echoed the remarks of Holding and former went on to give three points out of 10.

“It is dangerous and it’s not ideal,” Wessels concluded.

Pertinently, it might seem easier to bat, but the surface has already thrown the warning when bowlers have been clocking at 140 km.

According to the Article of 6.2, the umpires have the discretion regarding the behaviour of the pitch which further could be discussed with both the captains after taking the ICC Match Referee into the consideration.

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