India struggled with the bat on the bouncy pitch of Newlands, Cape Town in the opening Test match of three-match series against South Africa. The exclusion of Ajinkya Rahane and inclusion of Rohit Sharma was also the topic of discussion, as the visitors collapsed in both the innings of the first Test match.
In the Newlands Test, Proteas had opted for their strongest pacers – Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel and had managed to bowl out visitors the scores of 209 and 135 in the first and second innings respectively. The tourist lost the first Test match by 72 runs and now if Virat’s side wants to be the first to win a series in South Africa’s backyard, then they need to win the remaining two Test matches.
Meanwhile, Proteas speedster Vernon Philander, who also won the ‘Man of the Match’, had a field day as he claimed nine wickets (3 in first & 6 in second innings) in the first Test.
While talking to Network 24, Bryan Bloy, SuperSport Park’s groundsman, said that the message from Faf du Plessis side was clear that they wanted a pitch with bounce and pace. “Our aim is to prepare a pitch that has something in it for the bowlers in the morning before getting a little more batsman friendly. Due to heat, the pitch will also wear away a bit on the fourth and fifth day,” Bloy said, adding: “But it will a quick surface with bounce and a little sideways movement.”
South African coach Ottis Gibson will be pleased with the news as he was quoted saying, “When you are playing at home you play to your strengths and at the moment we have some high-quality fast bowlers. I’m a very fast bowling-minded kind of coach.”