Kingsmead curator promises fair pitch

December 23, 2010 04:59 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 03:20 am IST - Durban

Promising a fair pitch for the second India-South Africa cricket Test, the chief groundsman of the Kingsmead stadium, Wilson Ngobese, said the track prepared by him will not help bowlers excessively.

The first Test was won by South Africa by an innings and 25 runs in Centurion after the Indian batting collapsed in the first innings on a track which helped pace bowling in overcast conditions.

Ngobese said the pitch for the second Test starting on Sunday would be a lot more balanced.

“I want to give a wicket that is fair for everybody,” Ngobese said.

“It must not excessively help the bowlers too, and then if you can’t bat I can’t help it. But we are expecting more rain till the start of the match, and I am hoping for more such sunny days. Still, it should help the bowlers with good bounce,” he added.

Ngobese said the weather would also be a major factor along with the sea breeze.

“I don’t want to show cracks on the pitch,” said Ngobese as he ruled out getting rid of the entire grass cover on the track.

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