IND vs SA Test: The upcoming boxing-day test match between India and South Africa at Supersport Park in Centurion is expected to be a cracker as India eye their historic first test series win in South Africa.
South African pitches are known for their bouncy and swinging nature, and more of the same is expected in the first test match as pitch curator of Centurion Brian Bloy is predicting conditions that favour fast bowlers. However, the threat of rain looms large over the opening Test, raising concerns about play on the first and second day.
"Temperature will be super low, like 20 degrees. The temperature is now 34 and it will drop to 20. I don't know what conditions will be like, whether we will get play on Day 1," PTI quoted Bloy as saying after his regular inspection of work.
Describing a typical Centurion track, Bloy explained that it starts slower on the first day, becomes slightly softer, and gradually quickens as time progresses.
"A typical Supersport Park wicket is slower on Day 1, little bit softer and as time goes by it gets a bit quicker and it gets variable,” Bloy said.
"For me, fourth day afternoon finish would always be fantastic but that's out of my control. We prepare the stage and players will have to come out and put the show,” Bloy added.
Bloy discussed the challenges of preparing the pitch under the influence of rain, expressing concerns about the time available to get the field ready for play.
"I can't guarantee the forecast but if it remains under cover for the better part of the two days then that might be tricky to bat first, because its been covered for so long and hasn't been rolled for so long, we don't know how long we will have to get the field ready for play in current situation,” the pitch curator added.
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Bloy mentioned the presence of green cover on the wicket and expressed satisfaction with the even coverage of grass.
"Our goal is to stick to the characteristics, not do anything different or out of the ordinary. I want it to be typical hard wicket as per Centurion's conditions. The wicket is quite green and we have got two more days and it's hot, with a bit more rolling, it would lose a bit more colour, but I am happy that there is a thin even coverage of grass," Bloy added.
India will take on South Africa in Centurion on December 26 in the first test of the 2-match series.
(With Inputs From PTI...)