South Africa go green in victory hunt

14/12/2011

South Africa's cricketers are set to play the first Test of their series against Sri Lanka at centurion on a pitch that may resemble some of the conditions they will face in England next year.

The surface is a green-tinged one and this should favour the home side's formidable pace attack against a visiting side shorn of the talents of Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga, both recent retirements from the Test scene.

But groundsman Hilbert Smit told ESPN Cricinfo the pitch may not, despite its appearance, offer as much sideways movement as expected.

"It's quite thick grass at the top, not thick, patchy grass that creates seam movement," he stated.

Fans attending the England against South Africa Test at Headingley next summer may note the ground's reputation as a seam bowler's paradise, but that situation may not recur next year as recent years have seen much flatter pitches.

South Africa made 522 in the first innings of their most recent Test at the venue in 2008, on their way to a ten-wicket win.