South Africa in a catch 22 situation ahead of third ODI

Capetown: Spin friendly pitches, Injury list, inexperienced captain, low moral there are hardly any trouble left for the Proteas to face in the series against India. In test matches South Africa was all over Indian team, but the momentum has been shifted drastically in favor of Indian team in blue clothing.  The team’s performance is going worse from bad. What could have been surprised cricketing fraternity earlier now looks a reality. Forget the probability of series defeat, SA struggles to open its account in this series before stepping in the third ODI in Capetown.

The African batsmen has made abject capitulation before the Indian spinners in both the ODI’s. Now if the board goes for a green top pitch in the third ODI, Indian Pacers can make their life difficult like the test matches. Spinners have ruled the roost on what look like a subcontinental pitch, but if there is grass on Pitch in the third one day, and India puts Africa in to bat, Bhuvi, Bumrah and Shami can dismantle the African batting line up. Clearly, the South African board must be in a catch 22 situation about the pitch. If India wins the third ODI, SA will have to win the rest of the three matches to level the series. (WD)