A couple of years ago when we had that disastrous tour against India on those dry and barren sand pits, there were debates about the need for a standard that pitches should comply to for international tests. Sure they don't need to be exactly the same and of course it may be a bit tricky to define such a standard, but you can't have these entirely one-sided pitches that are unplayable to visiting teams. Now we have the opposite, first at Newlands and now this quite dangerous green mamba at the Wanderers (for those who don't know, play was abandoned earlier this afternoon because the pitch was deemed too dangerous). Revenge tactics by SA Cricket / Protea's..? Very likely. It has now come back to haunt us as we are batting last and looking at a possible defeat on this pitch. But it raises some serious questions about this "tradition", especially in this case where you have a pitch that could cause injury. It would be a national embarrassment if further play is suspended entirely, not even mentioning the loss in revenue and potential claims that may arise from it. Thoughts?
