TELFORD VICE, Durban | Friday 6.00pm.
WARY England spoke to third test referee Barry Jarman on Friday as a damp pitch revived the spectre of their disastrous first clash with South Africa.
Two days before the start, a sign on the edge of the Kingsmead wicket read uncompromisingly: ”Pitches and outfield out of bounds to all – By Order.” A burly security guard had been posted nearby to enforce the point.
Persistent rainin the region over the past four days has left 23 people dead and thousands homeless — as well as condemning the match to the uncertain fate of being played on an under-prepared surface.
”It won’t be the pitch we should have had, but I’m confident it also won’t be the sort of wicket we saw at the Wanderers,” said Wilson Ngobese, who is preparing his first test pitch after 24 years as a groundsman.
Ngobese’s comment will be cold comfort for England, who encountered an under-prepared surface in the first test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg and were hammered by by an innings and 21 runs.
That result and the drawn second test in Port Elizabeth have left South Africa 1-0 up, and with the fourth test in Cape Town starting three days after the Kingsmead match the crucial stage of the tour has been reached. ”Anyone would be concerned if the wicket didn’t turn out the right way, and if it goes like it did in Johannesburg it’s a major concern,” said England coach Duncan Fletcher. ”It’s certainly damp, but I know Durban and if we get some sun it could be dry in two hours.”
England captain Nasser Hussain attended Jarman’s routine meeting with the umpires on Friday. Jarman was unavailable for comment but Fletcher said the possible state of the pitch had not been discussed.
He agreed that any meaningful discussion concerning the playing area could take place only after the match had started. — Reuters
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