- It's absolutely roasting in the middle. This is pitch number 2 and it looks rock hard. There is less grass on this surface and there will be less pace. Farooqi uses the conditions to his favour after he didn't he get any swing in the first ODI. I don't find any difference on this surface to the first game. For the spinners, the ball will keep low just like it did in the first ODI. South Africa need to play sweeps and slog sweeps to open scoring options. Powerplay can be tricky and once you go through that phase, this wicket is a good to bat on