Well history shows this is a result pitch. Of 23 matches played there since 1889. SA have won 8 and 4 have been drawn, with the visitors winning the rest. In fact of the last 10 played there since 1995, SA have won only 3 with 3 draws.
So how does this translate for the visitors in Fridays 2nd Test. Well after the debacle of the first innings in the first test, those figures above should give them a little fillip of hope. Coupled with reports that during the days off from the first test the team was heavily involved in nets workouts to steel the batting and give the bowlers plenty of work, and to develop some steely toughness mind-wise, NZ should be in this game.
Of the last ten matches, SA have batted first 7 times with mixed results. In fact they haven't won on that park since 2000 when they beat New Zealand (Skippy 150 in first innings).
So what to expect? Based on research scoring is hard to do, with only a handful of scores posted over 300, so that's a fair indication that it will be a testing wicket. If it comes down to who bowls best, I think both batting teams will struggle as both lineups have good bowling attacks. I'd wager New Zealand's batting won't capitulate again, once burnt twice shy, but they will find it very tough to master the conditions. But I guess all we can hope for is some credibility, from the team as a whole.
Yes the stats are stacked against SA winning at this ground, but to be realistic Number 1 in the World playing Number 8 suggests they will finally break their 13 year hoodoo.
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