'We expect pitches to turn': Adrian Birrell

The International Cricket Council (ICC) termed the spinner-friendly track in Nagpur 'poor' after the third Test at the VCA Stadium got over inside three days, but South Africa's assistant coach Adrian Birrell said his team expected turn from Indian pitches.

Published : Dec 01, 2015 20:26 IST , Delhi

40 wickets were claimed within three days in Nagpur, prompting the ICC to label the surface as poor. But Adrian Birrell, South Africa's assistant coach, said his unit was not complaining.
40 wickets were claimed within three days in Nagpur, prompting the ICC to label the surface as poor. But Adrian Birrell, South Africa's assistant coach, said his unit was not complaining.
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40 wickets were claimed within three days in Nagpur, prompting the ICC to label the surface as poor. But Adrian Birrell, South Africa's assistant coach, said his unit was not complaining.

The South African cricket team, which rushed to the pitch after arriving at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Tuesday for a practice session, hoped that the fourth and final Test against India would last more than three days. The South African batsmen have struggled against the Indian spinners in the series so far. The International Cricket Council (ICC) termed the spinner-friendly track in Nagpur 'poor' after the third Test at the VCA Stadium got over inside three days.

However, South Africa's assistant coach Adrian Birrell said his team expected turn from the pitches in India. “We are not complaining at all. We are playing in Indian conditions,” said Birrell.

Birrell said his side was happy after having a look at the Kotla track. “We are playing in India and we expect the pitches to turn. This one looks like to go on for more than three days. We have been happy with what we are provided with.” Birrell was honest to admit that his team, trailing 2-0 in the four-match series, had not performed well so far. “We have not played good cricket yet, so we are determined to put up a good performance.”

The South African said his side would look forward to give “an honourable fight” in the last Test here.

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