Two-day tests are not Test matches: Dale Steyn

Former cricketer Dale Steyn expressed his displeasure with the Cape Town surface which hosted the second Test between South Africa and India. The visitors bundled the Proteas for 55 and 176 runs in the first and second innings respectively and eventually managed to pick up a seven-wicket win. The match was over in less than five sessions, as it was recorded as the shortest game in the history of Test cricket. 

Speaking about the match, Steyn was heavily critical of the cracks on the surface and opined that two-day Test matches are not real to him. He added that the cracks were wide open in places like Sydney and Perth but South Africa were relatively scared of making a pitch of that quality.

“Why we so scared of cracks? Think Sydney, Perth. Cracks so wide you can park a car inside them, and yet they always get to days 4 and 5! Pointless a Test being over so fast you don’t even see a hint of a crack. Pitches deteriorate over the days, let it happen. Two-day Tests are not Test matches,” Steyn said on Twitter.

India skipper Rohit Sharma didn’t complain about the pitch and promoted the fact that as players they are bound to adjust to different conditions. He however made it clear that other teams also shouldn’t complain when they come to India. 

“I mean, we saw what happened in this match, how the pitch played and stuff like that. I honestly don't mind playing on pitches like this. As long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and don't talk too much about Indian pitches, honestly,” Rohit was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Meanwhile, courtesy of the win over South Africa, the Rohit Sharma-led side are currently on top of the World Test Championship points table. They have 54.16% to their name, while South Africa with 50% are second, followed by New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh in the top five.