Green pitch awaits India at Bull Ring

Buthelezi looks all happy after both teams have made their satisfaction known after looking at the strip. Buthelezi said that while the pitch will help the South African pacers with bounce and carry, even the Indians gave him a thumbs up after looking at the wicket on Monday. 

“The South Africans are happy with the wicket. It will have pace and bounce and that is how wickets here play. I don’t think there is any questions within the team as they looked pleased after the boys took a look at the wicket this morning,” he said. 

“Even the Indians liked how the wicket looks as they gave me a thumbs up on Monday afternoon after taking a close look at the wicket. It will play true and both teams will have the same conditions over the next five days.” 

Asked why the Indian team did not practice next to the centre wicket and trained at the outdoor facility outside the main arena, Buthelezi said: “Well, that is for the team management to decide. The South Africans did train next to the match wicket and if the Indians wanted they could have also done that.” 

The Indians weren’t too happy with the unevenness of the training wickets on Monday, but Buthelezi said that it was no big deal and the matter was sorted out immediately. Interestingly, India coach Ravi Shastri had made it clear on Monday that the team was prepared to play on a fast and bouncy wicket. 

“Well there is grass on the track and you expect that overseas. We are not here to moan about the tracks because like I said at the start of the game both teams play on the same surface.”