01 December,2015 08:19 PM IST | | Nishad Pai Vaidya
Will the fourth Test at Delhi last longer than three days? If Adrian Birrell, South Africa assistant coach's reading of the pitch is to be believed, the upcoming Test may be a longer affair
Adrian Birrell, South Africa's assistant coach
New Delhi: Will the fourth Test at Delhi last longer than three days? If Adrian Birrell, South Africa assistant coach's reading of the pitch is to be believed, the upcoming Test may be a longer affair.
Adrian Birrell, South Africa's assistant coach
"We've had a look at the pitch. We're playing in India, so we expect the pitches to turn. This one looks like it will go longer than three days. We're happy with what we see," Birrell said.
While the Bangalore Test was a washout, the games at Mohali and Nagpur lasted only three days each. South Africa have had a tough time on tour, with the Indians spinners dominating them.
Birrell didn't comment on whether such quick finishes are good for the game, but instead complimented India for outplaying the tourists. "India have beaten us, and they have outplayed us, and we have no complaints about that," he said.
Low-scoring games
The ongoing series has been a low-scoring one, with the highest team score being 215. Birrell stressed that the South African batsmen have managed two half-centuries with India managing only one.
"The difference has been the spin bowlers, but the batters on both sides have struggled," he pointed out.
The statistics make a compelling read. Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra have accounted for a total of 47 South African wickets. South African spinners have only managed a total of 28 in a series that has seen spin dominate.
