From the moment South Africa won the toss, England were faced with the daunting task of bowling them out cheaply. Gary Kirsten, struggling all the way, did what was required and later in the day both Hansie Cronje and Daryll Cullinan accelerated the scoring. Thirty runs per session per player for the morning session did leave spectators especially young ones - wondering why they were there.
Modern sporting contests come in two-hour packages, so innovative administration will be needed to take the game forward. Perhaps 20 of the brightest international minds, not necessarily all cricket, should be asked to do some lateral thinking.
Groundsmen have a very difficult task balancing the needs of the players who rely on performances for contracts with those of the spectators, part of the life blood of the game, but this wicket hasn't helped. Too slow to play shots but not hard to survive on, a recipe for frustration and slow scoring.
Many of the batsmen would have been wide-eyed with the bowler-friendly pitches at Edgbaston and Lord's, but it did make for interesting viewing. The expectation that something is going to happen every ball is exciting and compelling.
South Africa have played professionally to a plan given the conditions and state of the series. It hasn't been exciting stuff but five days and 15 sessions is a long time so it was important for them to have 500 runs-plus so Messrs Donald and Adams can bowl with fielders all around the bat with no thought given to saving runs.
England gambled on two spinners, hoping to win the toss, but it was not to be and from here on in they will have their backs to the wall to save the Test, hardly good news for those bred on the fast scoring of one-day cricket. At the end of it all there will be recriminations, but no one can point a finger at South Africa.
Wickets like this have not helped the cause of Test cricket and maybe the media should turn their attention there. Nobody, least of all the South African team, wants a slow, low wicket on which to parade their talents.