“We’re not going to criticise the pitch right now.” That was Proteas coach Russell Domingo’s tactful response at the close of an eventful second day in Nagpur on Thursday.
Those who know Domingo intimately are well-versed on his honesty at press conferences.
They would also have known how hard it was for him to bite his tongue and not say exactly what was on his mind, for the surface provided – I hesitate to say prepared – was nothing short of atrocious!
Domingo’s batsmen did themselves no favours with their poor shot selection at times, which he admitted to, and India’s spin bowlers were more consistent and threatening than his tweakers.
But nobody, let alone the World’s No 1 Test side, should be playing on a pitch that even a club umpire would deem under-prepared.
On Friday, South Africa lost their proud record of having not been defeated in an away Test series for nine years. The game will be poorer for it.
@IndyCapeSport