With the second Test between Australia and South Africa due to start in under 24 hours, curator Marcus Pamplin has given his thoughts on what the pitch may play like.
Rain is forecasted for the majority of Saturday and Sunday which will have a direct impact on the Test match, as Australia might only have three days of cricket in which to win the game in order to keep the series alive.
“If there is seam there should be a bit of spin early on but I don’t think it is going to break up enough to allow the spinners to get any purchase on this pitch at all,” Pamplin said.
“I would say we get a start and I don’t know when the rain is going to come in Saturday but it will come.”
With the pitch currently green in nature it looks as though it will play into the hands of the bowlers, although that all depends on what happens upstairs.
As the covers might possibly be forced onto the wicket for extended periods over the weekend, Pamplin believes that would only further suit the bowlers, although they won't be getting the reverse swing like they did in Perth.
“I don’t reckon there will be any reverse swing, it will be conventional swing and if there is a little bit of cloud around it could swing a bit,” Pamplin said.
“But when the sun comes out eventually, it should be good for batting as well.
“It should green up [if it is stuck under covers] but it is quite a firm track too. There will be a bit of movement after the covers for sure.
“It might be a bit of an advantage to the bowling team.”
