xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_62241" align="alignnone" width="580"] Former South Africa Cricket Board chief Ali Bacher. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Debasis Sen, Johannesburg: Former South Africa cricket administrator Ali Bacher on Friday termed the wicket at Wanderers as ‘unacceptable’.  Bacher, regarded as a respectable figure in South African cricket was at the Wanderers to witness the third day’s play of the 3^rd and final test match between India and South Africa. According to Bacher, “It is totally unacceptable, as a test match should be a fair contest between bat and ball. But it also happens in India as I can recall in 2015 series in India, we had four test matches. At least on two of those test matches, on the first morning of the first day’s play the ball was turning square. “ He went on to add, “I can recall when I was running South African cricket, I brought a top grounds man from Australia. He arrived here and I still remember what he told me that in Australia if a captain or an official approaches the curator he is reported to the board immediately. That’s why in Australia the test matches are a fair contest between bat and ball. I just hope in future both BCCI and CSA take cognizance of these facts.” The stats are revealing since South Africa returned to world cricket after the ban was lifted due to apartheid, India visited the Rainbow Nation six times before and are yet to win a series. There is domination in each country to suit their bowlers. Bacher was also against the theory of home advantage by the respective boards. “Why should they have an advantage? I played nine test matches for South Africa against Australia and in 1970 we beat Australia 4-0. I was captain then and I never went to the grounds men and say listen, prepare this type of pitch. They were good cricket wickets, if you batted well you get a hundred and if you bowled well you ended up taking five wickets.” Indian captain Virat Kohli played a match defining knock of 42 runs against the Proteas quick’s on a difficult 22 yards. According to Bacher, “Look, Kohli is a magnificent cricketer. He is one of the best in the world. I am very impressed with him as a leader. I think you have a very good captain and have all the qualities to become one of the best captains in the world. He is a very positive person and that is what you want from a player. He plays with heart and I think India have a fantastic asset in Kohli."