Newlands pitch ‘like that 2011 deck’

CENTURION Dean Elgar insists the pitch in Cape Town is no batsman’s paradise, while AB de Villiers says it reminds him of the surface at the same venue on which pure chaos unfolded in 2011.

Australia rolled the Proteas for 96 at Newlands in 2011, claiming a first-innings lead of 188 runs, then watched in disbelief as it was skittled for 47.

It remains Australia’s lowest Test total since 1902. The hosts won the game by eight wickets.

“It reminds me quite a bit, and I’m not saying it’s going to happen, of that wicket,” de Villiers told SuperSport, having scored 64 yesterday. “That funny Test. “I’m not saying it’s going to be wickets galore in the next couple of innings, but it played similar to that first innings.

“[Then-Australian captain] Michael Clarke made it look quite easy and then it just started going a little bit around.

“Just when you feel in you can get out, just like myself.”

South African centurymaker Dean Elgar suggested de Villiers makes any pitch look docile with the ease with which he scores runs. “But the wicket is by no means flat,” the opener said.

“It was tough out there, especially when you’re a new batter in. This wicket has shown characteristics that batting might be tough and get tougher as the Test goes on.

“Which is perfect for us, because our bowling unit can really exploit the conditions.”