Pitch corners all attention

By G. Viswanath

BLOEMFONTIEN, NOV. 2. There has been a debate about the quality of the pitch prepared for the first Test at the Goodyear Park. Some of cricket's frightening glossary has been used by former cricketers, the chief groundsman and even those who had a cursory glance at the surface.

The Indians have not reacted impulsively on seeing the pitch on Thursday; but once they sighted some grass on it, they have been contemplating hard on the `more or less' correct eleven to pick for the vital first Test.

An entourage was on the job at the pitch in the forenoon on Friday. They had brought a device to determine the density of the pitch. This was done to ascertain the advantage the South African fast bowlers will get.

There are many who are keeping their fingers crossed and would rather wait and watch. A majority in this group have known the pitch at the Goodyear Park to be flat that generates runs aplenty. South Africa's former left arm seamer, who bowled fast at times, Brett Schlutz, pressed his right hand thumb on the pitch, but could not come out with a convincing answer. All he wanted to know from the curator, Nico Pretorious, was whether the South African fast bowlers would make the batsmen bob and weave.

Pretorious has been the curator of the Free State, his home province for five years. He was the fast bowler for Free State and was in the same bowling line up in which had Allan Donald, West Indian Franklin Stephenson and Corrie Van Zyl, South Africa's present bowling coach. He has taken 185 first class wickets before he retired.

He was impressed by the pace Hayward generated on Thursday in the nets and feels that the pitch will be at its best on the second and third days after the pitch is devoid of residual moisture. ``This pitch was relaid two years ago. I think there will be more pace and bounce. There will be moisture under the surface. But it should be a good wicket and good for cricket. I don't want to the grass to be killed by the harsh sunlight. That's why it's still (around noon) covered. The cover will be removed some time in the evening, '' he said.

The pitch received a good sprinkling of water on Thursday night and on Friday morning to keep the surface as lively as possible.

Two Test matches have been played on the Goodyear Park pitch (formerly known a Springbok Park) and on both occasions South Africa came out with flying colours.

After a long net session at the outer facility of the Goodyear Park, Pollock said: ``Fast bowlers are the biggest motivators to the team. Nantie (Hayward) is all raring to go. We have not played a first class match after the two Test series against Zimbabwe. We are just about settling down. We have the confidence after winning the one-day series.''

In the West Indies, Pollock, declared as the `Player of the Summer' shared 40 wickets with Kallis. But he doesn't feel there is a scope for a dream bowling line up in Donald, Pollock, Mfuneko Ngam and Hayward. ``We will never go in with more than two or three strike bowler. It affects the balance of the team.''

The Indians have bad memories of their previous tour here. Surely they would not want a repetition of what happened at Kingsmead, Durban when in lively conditions they were shot out for 66 and 100.

The Indians, led by Sachin Tendulkar then, struck back at `The Wanderers', after Hansie Cronje's team had clinched the Test series 2-0 at Newlands, Cape Town, but rain and Darryl Cullinan and Lance Klusener thwarted what might have been a redeeming win for the Indians. Pollock said a point or two in favour of the Indians. ``I think the Indians' middle order is solid with Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly.''

Before going for the team's last practice session in the afternoon, Ganguly said the choice was between `Connor Williams and Zaheer Khan'. Should Williams make his debut, India will have four bowlers - Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. According to Wright a five batsmen- five bowler plus the wicketkeeper selection will be a like making a `brave' decision. Whatever may be the batting options, Laxman is likely to bat lower in the order at No. 5 or No. 6 depending on the composition of the team.

lThe teams: India (from): Sourav Ganguly (Captain), Shiv Sundar Das, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Sameer Dighe, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Connor Williams, Ajit Agarkar, Venkatesh Prasad, Deep Dasgupta, Virendra Sehwag.

South Africa: Shaun Pollock (Captain), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Neil McKenzie, Lance Klusener, Makhaya Ntini, Mornantau Hayward, Justin Kemp, Nicky Boje.

Umpires: Messrs Dave Orchard (South Africa) and Ashoka D' Silva (Sri Lanka); Third umpire: Ian Howell; Match Referee: Mr. Mike Dennes (England).

Hrs of play: (IST) 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 4.40 p.m. to 6.40 p.m; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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