GRASS IS GREENER FOR AUSSIE PACEMAN

JOSH Hazlewood has warned he is ready to pounce if South Africa tries to turn Vernon Philander’s home ground back into his Garden of Eden.

Last month the Proteas manufactured the Cape Town wicket into a pace bowling minefield for a Test against India that wouldn’t have lasted three days if not for a rain interruption so brutal was the bounce and speed.

However, for the pivotal third Test starting on Thursday, the South Africans are expected to backflip on that aggressive plan and revert to the slow, seaming deck that Philander has in the past made his own.

However, the same conditions that Philander likes to feast upon also suit Hazlewood, and Australia’s No. 1 quick is ready to take advantage of the grass and seam.

“It’s been different for a few different games,” Hazlewood said of the anticipated conditions.

“They might leave some grass on it for Vernon who is pretty good down there most of the time.

“I’d be pretty happy [with that], yeah. Anything with a bit of grass is always good. You don’t come across it very often in Test cricket, so it would be good.”

Reverse-swing has been the key bowling factor in the first two Test matches, and it’s likely to be again if predictions for a low, slow deck at Newlands come true.

Morne Morkel is likely to replace Kagiso Rabada if he’s rubbed out.