Domingo stays clear of pitch debate

 While refusing to be drawn into the pitch debate, South African coach Russell Domingo made his reservations against the turners amply clear here on Thursday. Addressing the media after South Africa slipped 32/2 in a chase of 310, Domingo indicated if he complained about the pitch it would seem like sour grapes.

“If you’re winning the series, it is easy to criticise the pitch, but when you’re behind in the series, it is difficult to criticise the pitch. If that makes sense,” he said when asked about why South Africa have been restrained in their reactions to nature of pitches. “You have to give India credit. They have prepared wickets that suit their style of play, and their spinners have been really good. They have bowled outstandingly well, and we won’t criticise the pitch right now,” he reasoned.

When asked about their series in Sri Lanka where they won the two-Test series, Domingo opened up a bit and said the wickets for this series weren’t great to bat on. “I think we have a few less experienced players in our batting line-up this time (compared to SL series),” he said. “We’ve had guys like Alviro Petersen, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, and now we have a few guys in our top seven who have never played a Test series in India before. So this will be a great learning experience for them. “