Pitch row: We are ready to play: SA coach Gibson

Bengaluru, January 26: South Africa coach Ottis Gibson made it clear that his team would like the play to resume after match officials called off the third day's proceedings of the third Test at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, citing dangerous pitch.

"We are here to play cricket. We still want to play cricket. The match referee's decision will be on player safety. If he says play on, we are going to play, that's it," said Gibson in the post-day press conference.

Pitch row: We want the play to continue: Rahane

3rd Test: South Africa 17/1 at stumps before dangerous pitch force halt of play on Day 3

"Throughout the whole game, on both sides, you saw batsmen wearing a few. India didn't complain and we didn't either. Dean got in hit on the face. He wasn't able to take evasive action. The match referee feels there is something there for him to look at. Once they make a decision, we will get on with it," said Gibson.

However, Gibson noted that certain deliveries indeed posed threat to batsmen.

"The one thing we have said - and everybody is making a big issue of grass - we've never asked for grass. We've asked for pace and bounce. If you are a groundsman and you feel like the best way to get pace and bounce is to leave grass on the wicket, that's it. We get on and play.

"The wicket has gradually got worse. The umpires will make a decision. Before you go on about India batting twice, there were balls taking off on a length and our captain was saying I am not sure this is fair either. It's not like we are sour grapes," said Gibson.