Lucknow:South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock feels Australian batting unit's struggle against Indian spinners was an aberration considering the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner have clobbered slow bowlers around the park in the Indian Premier League.
De Kock added that the selectors are thinking about bolstering the South African lineup by adding wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in the playing XI alongside Keshav Maharaj but the uncertain nature of the newly-laid Ekana pitch is something to consider. "Obviously it's been a thought, what the selectors are thinking, but I've also seen those same guys who struggled in the Australian team also destroy spinners in the IPL," De Kock said on the eve of the match against Australia.
"That was a spin-friendly wicket in Chennai. I think most other teams could have struggled because obviously, the Indians have got a really good spin bowling attack. I've played against a lot of these guys, guys like Warner, Smith, Marnus, Maxi, these guys really play spin really well in general." After facing flak during the IPL, the Ekana pitch was re-laid ahead of the World Cup. The renovated pitch is an unknown entity ahead of the match between Australia and South Africa.
"I think it was just that one game, that's the way I see it. Especially here in Lucknow, I don't know what wicket we're going to get. I have seen how during the IPL and the wickets; we've got different varieties of wickets in play. "It could come out and it could be a seam-friendly wicket as opposed to a spin-friendly wicket. So we'll see tomorrow."