South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad Thursday termed the Newlands floor on which the shortest Test match within the historical past of the sport was performed as “not great” and the place sheer luck trumped pure ability. India beat South Africa by seven wickets in a match that was performed for simply 106.2 overs and led to a day and a bit over one session. “I don’t know what people want me to say. You only need to look at the scores. 1.5-day Test match! You need to look at how they chased 80 (79). Sad state when you need more luck than skill. All the ethics and values of Test cricket goes out the window,” Conrad, a former Western Province cricketer, lashed out after the sequence led to a 1-1 stalemate.
Since he has been a Western Province coach and the proverbial insider, he was requested concerning the floor the place balls have been simply flying from size.
“I don’t know what’s going on here. I have moved on. Not in a position to know the goings on between the walls here. Everybody knows the wicket wasn’t great,” his frank commentary would harm Cricket South Africa (CSA) in addition to the Western Province bosses.
Conrad sympathised with chief curator of Newlands, Braam Mong, who, in line with the Proteas head coach, may simply have “over-prepared” the floor.
“I know Braam Mong. Braam is a good guy. Sometimes good guys do bad things or make mistakes. This doesn’t make him a rubbish groundsman. There will be a lot of learnings for him. I might pop in here and have a word with him to see what he is seeing.
“You need to really feel for the groundsmen too. He desires to get it proper too… so the wicket could be over-prepared. Take it on the chin,” said Conrad.
Felt like matter of time before you got out: Markram
Aiden Markram, who perhaps played his best Test knock in the most challenging conditions, said that throughout his 103-ball 106, he felt that he could get out anytime.
On this track, it did seem as if attack is the best form of defence.
“Certainly in some circumstances for positive (assault is the very best type of defence). Kind of looks like a matter of time earlier than you get out. You need to maximise and rating once you’re there.
“Squeeze a 50, it might go a long way in tough conditions. Roles and partnerships. Some person might have to hang around and let another guy score.” Markram had no hesitation in admitting that getting bowled out for 55 within the first innings was unacceptable.
“Good show? Certainly not 55. It was very hard. Sometimes you find yourself nicking every ball. Felt like it was one of those days for us.
“Look again in hindsight, we may have labored in the direction of 150. It would have been a superb sport. Difficult to return again from there.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Topics talked about on this article