SA vs IND 2018, 3rd Test: Probably One of the Spiciest Wickets That I've Played On - Hashim Amla

For the second day in a row, the batsmen did not get any respite from the Wanderers pitch with as many as ten wickets falling on day two of the ongoing third Test. On the previous day, eleven wickets had fallen.

While South Africa had finished the first day on top, India managed to snatch the momentum albeit slightly when day two ended. At 80 for two, South Africa was looking set to take firm command of the proceedings in Johannesburg but riding on Jasprit Bumrah’s maiden five-wicket haul in Tests, India clawed its way back in the game by dismissing the Proteas for 194.

And while Bumrah should be given the credit for bringing India back in the game, one cannot deny the venomous pitch which never allowed the players to bat with even a little bit of comfort.

And if statistics do not justify the toughness of the pitch then Hashim Amla’s comments in the post-day presser would do. On a pitch where his teammates were finding it tough even to play their shots, the senior batsmen scored a dodgy 61 to make sure the hosts do not fall too behind in the game.

The veteran of 112 Tests then went on to say the Johannesburg wicket was one of the most challenging pitches he had batted on during his career.

“It’s probably one of the spiciest wickets that I’ve played on. There have been a couple over the last one or two years that have been quite difficult. In England, there were one or two. It’s quite challenging,” Amla said.

“It’s quite a spicy wicket. No one can hide from the fact that you can get out every ball. By the same token, it’s challenging as a batsman. Sometimes we get onto wickets that are pretty flat, and you can score lots of runs. The bowlers are having their ice-cold cool drink and enjoying it. It is just quite difficult to bat, whether it’s too excessive or not if you ask a batsman what do you think they will say?” he added.

The 34-year old further said the cushion of an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series helped the hosts a lot.

“I always tell the guys it’s a bowlers’ game. The wickets have been pretty tough to bat on. It’s nice that we are coming here on this type of wicket 2-nil up, so it helps in that respect. There’s nothing you can do about it – try your best, and hopefully we can make as many runs as we can,” he said.

At the same time, the right-handed batsman said he is extremely proud of the way the team has performed on two completely different surfaces in the first two games. The Cape Town track was very much prepared to the liking of the hosts, but the Centurion wicket resembled more subcontinent-like conditions.

“Both were very difficult to bat. I think the difference here if you look at Centurion the wicket didn’t suit us one bit, and for us to win that game in those type of ‘subcontinent’ conditions proved that we are playing good cricket. I am happy that we’ve won matches on wickets that are doing quite a bit for the bowlers and on pitches that offered something to the batters. We still came out on top,” said Amla.

India finished the day on a commanding 49 for one to grab the honours. However, Amla said the game is still hanging in a balance and ‘anything can happen on the third day’.

“Anything can happen tomorrow morning. Even if we have to chase 300, that’s fine; we are going to do our best to get there.”

Here is the news feed:

SA vs IND 2018: Sachin Tendulkar Posts ‘Hearty’ Message For Jasprit Bumrah’s Five-Wicket Haul

Gautam Gambhir Reacts After Being Released By Kolkata Knight Riders