Slow outfield hampers both batsmen and bowlers

By Telford Vice

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - A slow outfield hampered both batsmen and bowlers on the first day of the second test between South Africa and West Indies on Wednesday.

West Indies, who are one-up in the three-match series, were struggling at 240 for eight in their first innings at the close.

"South Africa came with a plan to starve us, to bowl outside off-stump and not give away any runs," Marlon Samuels, who scored 51 and shared a stand of 106 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (64 not out), told a news conference.

"We simply had to stay there and play a patient game as well. The outfield also took a lot of runs from us. This is the first match in which I've played in which the outfield is so thick."

South Africa opening batsman Neil McKenzie agreed with Samuels, but said the outfield also added to the bowlers' workload.

"It's one of the slower outfields we've played on, and it was hard work for the bowlers running in because it was quite heavy underfoot," McKenzie said.

McKenzie, who has opened the innings just once before, is playing his first test since he was part of the South African team who took on New Zealand in Auckland in 2004. He replaced the out-of-form Herschelle Gibbs.

"Beggars can't be choosers, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," McKenzie said. "I've been waiting four years for the opportunity and hopefully I can do something."