‘Guys certainly aren't patient anymore’ - Jacques Kallis opens up on Newlands pitch controversy

The second Test between South Africa and India at Newlands in Cape Town finished within just five sessions. It has been recorded as the shortest Test ever played in terms of balls and following this, the surface has faced a lot of criticism from the former cricketers. India skipper Rohit Sharma however mentioned that they had no problem playing in these sorts of conditions but expect the foreign media to remain shut when their team play in spin-friendly conditions in the sub-continent.

Notably, South Africa were bundled out for 55 runs in the first innings while India lost six wickets for zero runs in the second innings. In the third innings of the match, opener Aiden Markram hit a brilliant century but none of the batters supported him in the middle.

The visiting team eventually won the match by seven wickets but it wasn’t an easy surface to bat. Reflecting upon that, former cricketer Jacques Kallis stated that the cricketers aren’t patient these days and get out while playing aggressive cricket. He believes that if the cricketers had spent some time in the middle with the ambition to settle down, the match could have lasted longer.

“I think it has changed; the guys certainly aren't patient anymore. If there is a movement in the pitch, guys in our time used to ride it down and get through that period. However, guys now try to hit their way out. So, it is a completely different way of playing,” Kallis said while talking to PTI.

I don't think it was quickness of wicket, I think it was uneven bounce and sideways movement: Kallis

Besides, South African legend Jacques Kallis also mentioned that uneven bounce and sideways movement got the better of the batters in the second Test of the series. He reminded that it’s not easy to bat on an uneven surface and added that India outplayed the Proteas in the match.

“I don't think it was the quickness of the wicket, I think it was more about the uneven bounce and sideways movement. The moment you get uneven bounce it gets very tough (for batsmen). Disappointed that it has gone that way but India just outplayed us,” he added.