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South African skipper Shaun Pollock admitted the pitch had been far from ideal after leading his team to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.

The tourists were bowled out for just 128 at The Wanderers in the opening game of the one-day series between the teams.

The same venue which will stage the World Cup final next March.

Pollock chose to put Sri Lanka in on a wicket which had not been properly prepared following the breakdown of the main roller.

Ground staff had attempted to obtain a replacement but there were problems in transporting it to the city.

"That wouldn't be a good wicket for the World Cup final. For a final, you're looking for a spectacle," Pollock commented.

"I don't want to be too critical but you obviously want a better surface than that."

Pollock himself was the pick of the home attack, returning figures of four for 18 from 8.4 overs.

"From the first over we knew there was something in the pitch and we discussed hitting the right areas and fortunately it went our way," he added..

"Opportunities were always going to be created and we stuck to our task nicely. There weren't too many four balls going around.

"As an opening partnership myself and Makhaya (Ntini) did a good job and for a side to fight back from that position was always going to be difficult."

His views about the wicket were supported by opposite number Sanath Jayasuriya.

"The pitch was damp and it was difficult batting early on. We did not make enough runs," said the Sri Lankan captain.

"If I had won the toss I also would have bowled first."

(BBC) 

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