By Tony Lawrence
Leeds, England - South Africa's Gary Kirsten said the Headingley wicket had turned into a "lottery" for batsmen after the third day of the fourth test against England.
Kirsten, one of the few players to master the surface after making 130 in the first innings and 60 in the second, added that it was one of the worst surfaces he had played on in recent years.
Asked about the wicket, which saw deliveries rear up off a length throughout the fourth day, he said: "It's interesting! For the batters, it's a lottery - there's uneven bounce, the ball is going through the top and it's keeping low. It's hard work.
"I think you need a bit of luck now more than ever.
"In 93 Test matches I have been on some interesting wickets but, in the last couple of years, this is up there."
The left-handed Kirsten, however, has still managed to survive for more than 11 hours during his two innings at Headingley as South Africa, seeking to go 2-1 up in the five-match series, closed on 164 for five in their second innings, an overall lead of 199.
"I still think the match is pretty even," he added. "My 97-run stand with Jacques Kallis was pretty important. If we get 250 ahead, we would be happy with that."
England all rounder Andrew Flintoff, who made 55 in England's first innings of 307, added: "The wicket is doing things, but Kirsten and Kallis showed if you apply yourself it's not impossible.
"When it's done something, it's done more than you want, jagging sideways. I wouldn't know what a good total is on this wicket."
Flintoff had made four consecutive Test ducks at Headingley before his half-century.
"The South Africans reminded me of that when I took guard," he said. "So did some of my team-mates."