'Quickest' pitch of the series awaits Virat Kohli & Co. in Johannesburg

The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg will be the host for the final Test between South Africa and India. The Wanderers is known as the ‘bullring’ because of its intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. It has a rich history of over 74 years and has been the centre for all sports aspirations in Johannesburg. It was the host for the 2003 World Cup finals when Australia cruised past India to lift the cup. Now ahead of the third Test, all the talks surround the pitch at the Wanderers.

Former Proteas wicketkeeper, Mark Boucher feels that Indian batsmen will be tested at the Wanderers. The pitch at is very quick and assists some great deal of bounce. However, the biggest positive for the visiting team going into this Test is that they never lost a match at the Wanderers. India played four Tests won one and the game ended in a draw on the other three.

A green wicket at the Wanderers

There were a lot of talks about the pitch ever since the series began. In both the games played so far, the pitches weren’t as lively as the Proteas would have expected. The pitch in Centurion was an absolute turn off for the home team. It looked much sub-continent like and the curator bagged heavy criticism. The first two Tests were the best chances for India to win. However, the South African showed some great character and went on to bag the series 2-0.

There will be no respite for Indian batsmen as they will face South African bowlers on a “quickest” pitch in Johannesburg according to Boucher.

“A lot greener (pitch) than what you have seen. The one wicket the South Africans will be licking their lips to play on is at the Wanderers,” he told Hindustan Times when asked about the pitch for the last Test.

“We know it’s definitely going to be the quickest and the one with the most bounce. But India has also won a Test here. So, if they bowl in the right areas, they can also put pressure on the South Africa batsmen. I think with the height of our bowlers, India’s batsmen have to work really hard to get their runs. There will be a few balls flying past their ears as well,” he added.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, star batsman AB de Villiers and young pacer Kagiso Rabada have already made their intentions clear that they will go for a 3-0 whitewash against Virat Kohli-led India.