The Oval, as the name suggests, is Pietermaritzburg's cricket stadium. Built in 1898, it is a fabulous example of the kind of architecture for which Maritzburg is famous. Or, should I say, it used to be. These days the Oval is in a shocking state. Though the groundsman does a superb job of looking after the outfield and the square, the rest of the facility is in a truly poor condition.

The surrounding areas of the park were, last week, strewn with filth and litter. Residents say people don't visit the park any more because of the crime and grime.

The pavilion itself, a red-brick Victorian beauty with twin mi-naret-style green gables and white fencing, is fading fast. Paint is peeling and guttering is collapsing, rubbish overflows out of side rooms and, for some reason, the twin lanterns that guard the front of the building have had their heads knocked off. Weeds over-run the facility and the whole place is crying out for a lick of paint.

The Oval used to be one of South Africa's most picturesque cricket grounds. Today it stands as an unfortunate example of the state of Victorian public buildings in the KwaZulu-Natal capital.

The city is a shabby disgrace, and what was arguably one of the prettiest and most charming places to watch cricket in the country faces a real threat of dereliction.

It is salvageable, but left to rot for too much longer it'll go beyond the point of no return.

I urge Pietermaritzburg's political grandees to summon a little civic pride and fix the place up. It's a disgrace, and if the city can't be bothered to care, can I suggest that they sign over ownership of the facility to the local cricket union?

South Africa's batsmen looked as shabby as the Oval the other day. Much has been made of the pitch and the variable conditions at Port Elizabeth, but it did look as though the plan was to get out there and repeat the Cape Town mauling.

Unfortunately, conditions did not play along, and the South Africans looked unable to respond to their changing fortunes.

The team is still evidently seeking a balance that has been lost since Jacques Kallis's injury. It's a tough call for Mickey Arthur and the selectors, but I think it's the batting that needs bolstering. What chance AB de Villiers being persuaded to take the gloves?

A series draw is there for the taking and, with the astonishing roller-coaster of fortunes and results in this tour to date, history will note that it's South Africa's turn to roll England over for fewer than 120. England won't like the idea of that, and that means Kingsmead on Friday should be a game worth watching.