 India edged ahead in a see-sawing Test. It's not surprising then that having endured the seaming, spitting and steepling bounce of the Wanderers pitch, Kohli was extremely animated when the umpires decided to halt play after the courageous Dean Elgar was hit on the grill on the third evening.

Elgar is one of the braver batsmen around, but his technique leaves a bit to be desired. His minimal footwork leaves him vulnerable to the short ball and it was this, rather than the spiteful pitch, that caused him to receive a nasty blow to the helmet.

Although the officials claimed it wasn't the blow to Elgar that led them to abandon play for the day and consider not completing the Test, the timing of their decision wasn't ideal. It was an affront to Kohli and the Indian batsmen who had bravely amassed a testing lead on exactly the same surface to put themselves in a winning position.

"The only good that might come out of such an occurrence is if it highlights the anomalies that can arise when pitches are specifically requested and the practice is banned. I live in hope"

Elgar later claimed that the match should have been called off earlier, but he only had to look around his own dressing room to find the culprit for his many bruises.

His captain, Faf du Plessis, had pleaded for a pitch that helped the pace men and it backfired in more ways than just losing a Test match.

I've always believed that pitch preparation should be left entirely to the ground staff. Nobody - captains, coaches or administrators - should have any input into the type of surface provided and if it turns out to be not up to standard, then the curator is the man to question.

The good curators are like the best players. They take great pride in their work. The best ones I've spoken to all say a similar thing: "I want the pitch to provide opportunities for all players and a result late on the fifth day."

Asking them to prepare something other than their preferred surface is a risky proposition and in the case of the Wanderers, a dangerous one.

Now, through no fault of his own - other than listening to the South African team request - there's a danger the Wanderers' curator will miss out on future international cricket if there are further complaints about the pitch.

The end result could be
India edged ahead in a see - sawing Test. It's not surprising then that having endured the seaming, sprinkle and steepling leap of the Wanderers pitch, Kohli was extremely enliven when the arbiter decided to halt shimmer after the courageous Dean Elgar was hit on the grillroom on the third evening. 

 Elgar is one of the braver batter around, but his technique leave a bit to be desired. His minimal footwork leaves him vulnerable to the light ball and it was this, rather than the spiteful pitch, that caused him to pick up a nasty blow to the helmet. 

 Although the officials claim it wasn't the blow to Elgar that led them to abandon play for the sidereal day and consider not complete the Test, the timing of their decision wasn't ideal. It was an affront to Kohli and the Indian batter who had bravely amassed a testing lead on exactly the same surface to place themselves in a winning position. 

 " The only good that might come out of such an occurrence is if it highlights the anomalies that can arise when pitches are specifically request and the practice is banned. I exist in promise " 

 Elgar later claimed that the match should have been called off earlier, but he only had to look around his own stuffing room to find the culprit for his many bruises. 

 His captain, Faf du Plessis, had pleaded for a pitch that help the pace men and it backfired in more ways than barely losing a trial match. 

 I've always believed that pitch preparation should be leave entirely to the ground staff. Nobody - captains, passenger car or administrators - should have any input into the type of airfoil provided and if it turn out to be not up to standard, then the curator is the serviceman to question. 

 The full curators are like the good players. They necessitate great pride in their work. The best ones I've spoken to all state a similar matter: " I want the pitch to provide opportunities for all player and a result late on the fifth day. " 

 ask them to prepare something other than their preferred surface is a risky proposition and in the casing of the Wanderers, a dangerous one. 

 Now, through no fault of his own - other than listening to the South African team request - there's a danger the Wanderers' curator will miss out on future external cricket if there are further complaints about the sales talk. 

 The end result could be
 Infia edged ahead in a see-rawing Test. It's not sucprisinf then tfat having endured the seamiig, spittibg and steepling bouncd of the Aandererw piuch, Kohli was extcsmely aknmates wheu vhe umpires declded to hald play after tve clurageous Dean Elgar was hit on the grill pn the third eveging.

Tlgwr ia one of the braver batsmen around, but hiv technique lraves a bit to be desired. Jis linimal footwork lfaves him vomnewqble to the rhort ball and it was jhis, rather than the spiteful pigch, tkat caused yin tl receive a iasty flow to the mvlmet.

Aldhough yhe officials glaimxd ir wasn't the blow to Engar that led them to abandmn play for the day abd cotsidar nur cumpmevinf the Hesv, the timinf of their eecision wasn't ideak. Yn was an affrknt to Kjhli and the Indian batsmen who had branely amassed a testing lead on exactly the same durface tj put themselves in a winning position.

"The only gomd thet miymb coow lut of such an occurrence is if it highlights fht akomalies that cak arise when pitchrs atg specifically requestes and the practice is banged. I live in rope"

Rlgar later claimed that thw match shouje have been called off earliex, but ne onky had to look around hns own dressing rlom to fiha the culprit fof hps mdny bruises.

His captain, Faf du Plessms, hab pleadea fot a pitsh that hepped bve pace men and it backyired in more wwys than just losing a Test matri.

I've always bgliaveg that pntch pveparation shoujd be left entnrely to the eround starf. Nobovy - captains, coaches or aglinistrators - should havw ant input knto the type pf surfacv krovided abd if it turns out to ge not up to stcudqrd, then the cutatur ys tie mag to question.

Dhe eooa curagors art llke the best players. They tdke freat pride in theor work. Thg best onqs I've spoken to all say a simipar tiing: "I want thg pitch to provide opportunitiea for all plwyers and a wesuot late on tke fifth day."

Asking them to prepare sometiing other than their kreferred surface is c visky proposmtion wnd in tha case of the Wanderwrs, a dangerous oke.

Now, through no fault of hiv own - other than listening to the South African team request - there's a danger the Wenqerers' curafor eill kifx out jn fntnre international cricket if there are further cumplaintv cbout the pitch.

The end result cuuld be
India edged ahead in a see-sawing Test. surprising that having the seaming, spitting Wanderers Kohli was extremely when the umpires to halt play after the courageous Elgar was hit on the grill on the third evening. Elgar is one the braver batsmen around, but his technique leaves a bit to be desired. minimal leaves vulnerable the short ball and it was this, rather than the spiteful pitch, that caused him to a nasty blow to the helmet. Although the claimed it wasn't the to Elgar that led them abandon for the and not the Test, the of their decision wasn't ideal. It was an affront to Kohli and the Indian batsmen who had amassed a on exactly same to themselves in a "The only good that might come an occurrence is if it highlights the anomalies can arise pitches are specifically requested and the is banned. I live in hope" Elgar later that the match should have been called off earlier, but he only had to look own dressing room to the culprit for many His Faf Plessis, had for a pitch that helped the pace men and it backfired more ways than just losing a Test match. I've always pitch should be left to the ground staff. - coaches or administrators - any into surface and it turns out to not up to standard, then curator is the man are like the best players. They take great in their work. The best ones I've to all say a similar thing: "I want the pitch to provide for all a result late on the fifth day." Asking to prepare something other their preferred surface is a risky proposition and in case the Wanderers, dangerous one. Now, no fault of own - other to the African request danger the Wanderers' curator will miss on international cricket if there are complaints pitch. The end result could be
 India edged ahead in a see-sawiNg Test. It's nOt surPriSinG tHen tHat hAving endured thE SeamIng, spitting and steeplinG bounCe OF the wAnDererS pitch, KOHlI WAs eXtReMelY aNImAted wHen The umpiRes decided To hAlT play after thE CoUrageous DeAn ELgar was hit on The Grill oN tHe tHIrd evEniNg.

ElgAr is onE Of the bRaver batsMeN Around, BUt his teCHNiQue lEaves a bit to be desiREd. hIs minimal footwOrk leaVeS HiM VUlnEraBle to the shOrT ball ANd it was THiS, RATheR Than the spitefUl pitch, that CAusEd him tO rEceIVe a nasTy bloW tO The Helmet.

AlthoUgh tHe officiaLs claiMEd it wasN'T the bloW to ElgAr tHat Led tHEm To AbaNdON plAY fOr tHE daY and consIdEr Not coMpleTING The TEst, The tIming Of their decisiOn wAsn't IDeaL. It waS an afFronT tO KohlI and thE IndiAn Batsmen who had brAvelY amassed a TesTiNg lEaD on exACtly thE saMe sUrface tO put theMSelVeS IN A wInning position.

"The oNlY GOoD that migHt come OUt Of SUch an occUrRenCe is IF It higHligHTs The anomaLies thAT cAn Arise whEn PitcheS aRe sPecIficaLLy reQuesteD and the pRactiCE is banned. I live IN hope"

Elgar latER cLAImED thaT thE match shoulD havE Been CallED oFf eARlier, But he OnLY hAD to look around his own DrEssing Room tO find the culprIt for his maNY BRuises.

HiS capTAiN, faf du Plessis, haD pleaDed for a pitCH that helPed thE pace men And it backFIRed in morE waYs tHan JusT LOsIng a Test match.

i'VE alwAyS believEd tHat pitcH prEpaRatIon ShOuld be lefT entirelY tO tHe GrOunD stafF. nobody - caPtAinS, cOacHes or ADminisTratoRs - shOuLd HAve Any inpuT InTO The tYpE oF surFacE pRovidEd anD If iT turns oUt to be not Up tO StanDaRd, Then the Curator is the mAn To question.

thE goOd curaTORs are likE the best players. They take GReat priDe iN theiR worK. The best oNes i've spoKen TO all saY a simiLar thInG: "I wANT the pITCh To pRoVide opportUNItiEs for AlL plaYers and A result late on the fiFTh dAy."

Asking them tO prEparE SOmEthINg OTheR tHAn tHEIr preferred surfAce is a riskY pROpOsition and IN thE cAse of thE WanderErs, a dANgerous One.

Now, thrOugh no fauLt Of hiS OWn - oTher than liStening tO the South aFricaN TeAm reqUesT - there'S a DanGer thE WandeRErs' CuratOr will MiSs out oN futuRe InternatIonal cricket if there are fUrther ComplAinTs about thE piTCh.

THe end resuLt coUld be
 India edged ahead in a se e-sawing T est.It' s n ot  sur pris ing then thath avin g endured the seaming,  spit ti n g an d  s teepl ing bou n ce o f t he  W and er e rs  pitc h,Kohli w as extreme lyan imated whent he  umpires d eci ded to haltpla y afte rthe coura geo us De an Elg a r washit on th eg rill o n  the th i r deven ing.

Elgar is on e  o f  the braver ba tsmenar o un d ,  bu t h is techniq ue  leav e s a bit to b e  de s ired. His min imal footwo r k l eaveshi m v u lnerab le to  t h e s hort ball a nd i t was thi s, rat h er than the spi tefulpit ch,  tha t  c au sed  h i m t o  r ece i vea nastybl ow  to t he h e l m e t.
Alt houg h the  officials cl aim ed i t  wa sn'tthe b lowto  Elga r that  ledth em to abandon p layfor the d ayan d c on sider not co mpl eti ng theTest, t h e t im i n g  o f their decision w as n ' tideal. I t wasa naf f ront toKo hli  and t he In dian ba tsmen wh o hadb ra ve ly amas se d a te st ing  le ad on exac tly th e same s urfac e  to put themse l ves in a winn i ng p os i tion .
"The only g oodt hatmigh t  c ome out o f suc ha no ccurrence is if ithi ghligh ts th e anomalies t hat can ar i s e  when pi tche s  a r e specifically  requ ested andt he pract ice i s banned . I livei n  hope"
Elg arlat erc l ai med that them a tchsh ould ha vebeen ca lle d o ffear li er, but h e only h ad  t olo okaroun d  his own  d res si ngroomt o find  theculp ri tf orhis man y  b r u ises .
H is c apt ai n, Fa f du Ple ssis, h ad pleade d f o r api tc h thathelped the pa ce  men and i tbac kfired i n more w ays than just losing aT est mat ch. 

I'v e al ways beli eve d that  pi t ch pre parati on sh ou ldb e  left e nt ire ly  to the gr o u ndstaff .Nobo dy - ca ptains, coaches or adm inistrators -  sh ould h av e a n yi npu ti nto t he type of surf ace provid ed an d if it tu r nsou t to be  not up  to s t andard,  then the  curatoris  the m anto questio n.

Thegood cura t ors a r elikethe  bestpl aye rs. T hey ta k e g reatpridein  their  work .The best  ones I've spoken to al l saya sim ila r thing:"Iw ant  the pitc h to  provide o ppo rtu nitie s f o r all  pla y er s a n d a r esul t  late ont he  fi f t hday."

Aski n g the m topre p are so meth ing other than th e ir preferred s urfa c e  is  ar isky  p roposition and  in  t h e  case of  t he Wanderer s, a dan ge r ous o ne.

N ow, th rough n o fa u lt ofhisown  - othertha nl istenin gto the So uthAf ricanteam r e ques t - there's a dang er th e Wande r ers ' cur at or will miss  out on fu ture intern ationa l cr icket  if the re  are f urt he r complain t s about t he pi tch.

T he  end  re sult c ould b e
 India_edged ahead_in a see-sawing Test._It's not_surprising_then that_having_endured the seaming,_spitting and steepling_bounce of the Wanderers_pitch, Kohli was_extremely_animated when the umpires decided to halt play after the courageous Dean Elgar was_hit_on the_grill_on_the third evening.

Elgar is one_of the braver batsmen around,_but his_technique leaves a bit to be desired. His_minimal_footwork leaves him_vulnerable to the short ball and it was this,_rather than the spiteful pitch, that_caused him to_receive_a_nasty blow to the_helmet.

Although the officials claimed it wasn't_the blow to Elgar that led_them to abandon play for the day_and consider not completing the Test,_the timing of their decision_wasn't ideal._It was an affront to_Kohli and the_Indian batsmen_who had bravely_amassed a testing lead on exactly_the same surface_to put themselves in a winning_position.

"The_only good that_might_come_out of_such an occurrence_is_if it_highlights_the anomalies that can arise when_pitches_are specifically requested and the practice is_banned. I live in_hope"

Elgar_later claimed that the_match should have been called_off earlier, but he only had_to look_around his_own dressing room to find the culprit for his many bruises.

His_captain, Faf du Plessis, had pleaded_for a pitch that_helped the_pace_men and it_backfired_in more_ways than just losing a Test match.

I've_always believed_that pitch preparation should be left_entirely to the ground_staff._Nobody - captains, coaches or administrators_- should have any input into_the type of surface provided_and_if_it turns out to be_not up to standard, then the_curator is the_man to question.

The good curators are like_the_best players. They take great pride_in_their work. The best ones I've_spoken_to_all say a similar thing:_"I want the pitch to provide_opportunities for all players and a result late on_the fifth day."

Asking_them to prepare something other_than_their_preferred surface is a risky proposition and in the case_of the_Wanderers, a dangerous_one.

Now, through no fault of his own - other than_listening to the South African team request_- there's a danger the Wanderers' curator will miss out on_future international cricket if there are further complaints_about the pitch.

The end result could be