Newlands pitch 'patchy grass with cracks'

Cape Town - An early looks at the Newlands wicket for the second Test between the Proteas and England show patchy grass with some cracks.

Cape Town has experienced blisteringly hot conditions over the past few days - with more warm conditions expected for the Test starting on Saturday, January 2.

In a picture tweeted by respected BBC correspondent Jonathan Agnew on Friday afternoon, patches of grass and a few cracks are clearly visible in the Newlands wicket.

Quite how the wicket will play remains to be seen, but early suggestions are it will favour the batting side, so expect whoever wins the toss to elect to bat without hesitation.

Early look at the Newlands pitch. Patchy grass. A few cracks. pic.twitter.com/KRQwPlZZXT

— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) January 1, 2016