Nottingham (England), Aug 16: South African skipper Graeme Smith hit out at the state of the Trent Bridge wicket here as his side battled to save the third test against England.
The tourists were 84-2 at close on the second day in reply to England's 445 all out, but Smith was angry yesterday that the pitch was beginning to have a telling effect on the outcome of the game with batsmen in both sides having to cope with wickedly variable bounce.
"The wicket is very difficult and being so up and down is not good for test cricket in this sort of condition," said Smith.
"We all want to play on good wickets and it's sad when it's like this. You have to concentrate on every ball because you know the next one might keep very low."
Smith, who made 35, was dismissed in a bizarre fashion when he stepped back onto his stumps and dislodged the bails as he tried to fend off an Andrew Flintoff delivery.

"It was not a nice way to get out. I would have liked to have still been there on today morning," admitted the skipper who has already smashed two double centuries in the series.

"We have spent a lot of time in the field but the guys have been very disciplined and shown great character. We just need one good partnership and that will get us back into the game.
Bureau Report