There were two major factors in the Proteas being bowled out for 55 on day one of the second Test against India at Newlands; those being the pitch and the quality of batting.
The nature of Test pitches in South Africa, when compared to those rolled out for domestic red-ball matches, is also key to the whole equation.
At this stage, a compromise between the two types of surface seems unlikely, but it really is no surprise that fast bowlers coming into the Proteas team so often enjoy stellar home debuts as they suddenly enjoy far more seam-friendly conditions.
Meanwhile, batters come from First Class cricket, having played at Test grounds but not on pitches that play like they do in international red-ball cricket.
The differences in how the surfaces play mean that First Class Cricket doesn’t act as an appropriate preparation for playing in the Test arena.
This has been born out most among the succession of batters who have been unable to nail down a place in the Test team despite being a top run-getter in the four-day environment.
Ideally, the domestic pitches should match the Test surfaces as closely as possible but play the ultimate format to the Proteas’ strengths; it takes a lot of effort to provide the ideal strip.
It is not just effort that is a factor but also sustainability, as it requires much water and attention to keep a seaming track in ideal condition.
Away from the Test arena and the prying eyes of television cameras, there is no pressure to produce a surface that plays a certain way, but fewer resources are also available.
It would be unexpected if Cricket South Africa opted to change the approach and standardise the pitch preparation as it might not fit their vision for results-driven Test cricket.
Right now, they appear content to deal with the imbalance as best they can, although the latest batting catastrophe might yet drive some change.
