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South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is hoping the pitch for the second Test against India this week will be far more responsive than the benign strip provided in the series opener in Chennai.

Last week, India opener Virender Sehwag smashed the fastest triple century in Test history on a flat track that left the pace-oriented attack of the visitors frustrated in the high-scoring draw.

South Africa’s top order also shone with opener Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla scoring centuries and Smith cracking 73, but the match looked set for a draw as early as the third morning. “All cricketers want to see a good cricket wicket.” Smith told a news conference on Wednesday. “One with a good balance between bat and ball.”

According to the curator of the Ahmedabad ground, the pitch is likely to be responsive when the match starts on Thursday (today), raising South Africa’s hopes of executing their plan to restrict the aggressive batting of Sehwag.

Smith said his team would look to build on the new-found confidence in tackling India’s experienced spin bowlers after rallying to draw the first Test.

Smith said in all likelihood he would go into the middle leg of the three-Test series with the same combination that played in the first Test. “As long as we get our execution right, we can win,” he said.

Source:Cricket News