SA vs IND 2018: Wanderers Pitch Gets Slammed, ICC's Verdict Awaited

The third Test between Indian and South Africa has been making news for all the wrong things as the pitch on the third day of the match has misbehaved more than it was expected from it. India’s second innings has been more about coping with the body blows from the Indian batsmen than scoring runs. The umpires have been involved more than the batsmen, or the bowlers have been in this match.

Aleem Dar, Ian Gould and Michael Gough (all the umpires) and match referee Andy Pycroft have been on their toes in the match and have to make some important decisions on the third day of the match. However, the ball is in ICC’s court now over the decision on the pitch. ICC has been critical of the sharp turning pitch in India.

Commentators in the ongoing match have slammed the wicket and have called the pitch substandard. Sunil Gavaskar said on a pre-lunch show:

“It is not dangerous but it is not really ideal. A pitch should not be either way — too batsmen-friendly nor too bowler-friendly. Michael Holding asked me if I will bat for my life on this wicket and I said I will not be able to earn much if I were to bat on it.”  

Former West Indian legendary fast bowler Michael Holding was overly critical about the pitch and said that even he was prepared to bowl on this pitch. The 63-year fast bowler said:

“What can I say? It’s a substandard pitch, dangerous. Even I am prepared to bowl here.”

However, former South African fast captain Kepler Wessels said that the pitch was not as bad as it is being made out. Wessels said that the pitches in Mohali and Nagpur in 2016 during South Africa’s tour of India were even worse.

Follow more news about India’s tour of South Africa 2018 here.