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Australian cricketers Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Hayden aren't too pleased with the pitch being used in the third Test between India and South Africa at Nagpur. Both Australian players took to Twitter to express their surprise at the lack of contest between bat and ball.
South Africa were dismissed for 79 before lunch on day two, in response to India’s 215. The score, which was the Proteas’ lowest against India, beating the previous record of 84 in Johannesburg in 2006, was also the lowest ever score against India in Tests, beating Sri Lanka’s 82 in Chandigarh in 1990.
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Maxwell was the first to voice his displeasure at the wicket as he tweeted after the first hour of second’s day play.
Hayden, who had just returned to Australia after taking part in the Cricket All-Stars in the USA, was also disappointed to see two quality teams battling each other on a pitch where batting is getting harder by the minute.
Maxwell admitted that while the match was interesting to watch, he would love to see a more even contest. He was also critical of the pitch used for the second Test between Australia and New Zealand at Perth, which ended in a tame draw.
Hayden added that while he isn't against a turning track, he would prefer one not to turn so early in the game.
India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar was quick to defend the pitch, which he said is a “result-oriented wicket which is equally challenging for both sides”.
Scorecard:
India won the toss and decided to bat first
India 1st innings: 215
SA 1st innings:
| Dean Elgar | 7 (35) |
| Stiaan van Zyl | 0 (7) |
| Imran Tahir | 4 (12) |
| Hashim Amla | 1 (10) |
| AB de Villiers | 0 (6) |
| Faf du Plessis | 10 (20) |
| JP Duminy | 35 (65) |
| Dane Vilas | 1 (15) |
| Simon Harmer | 13 (10) |
| Kagiso Rabada | 6 (17) |
| Morne Morkel | 1 (2) |
| Total | 79 |
Bowling:
| Overs | Runs | Wickets | |
| Ishant Sharma | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 16.1 | 32 | 5 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 12 | 33 | 4 |
| Amit Mishra | 3 | 9 | 1 |
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