A strong South Africa is quite mandatory for world cricket. More so, for Test cricket. There are only a handful nations playing the game and even fewer who are actually competitive in the longest format. England are in the process of rejuvenating Test cricket whereas Pakistan and South Africa are declining quite rapidly. South Africa’s humiliating loss in Australia is a stark reminder to everyone involved that Test cricket might just be on its last legs. It was not just the loss but the manner of the loss that was quite devastating for a cricket fan. However, South Africa’s struggle in Australia, does it point towards a deeper malaise?
Couple of really bad performances
The first test was completed in 2 days. Never before has a Test been completed inside 2 days in Australia. Agreed, the pitch was diabolical and batting was tough but Travis Head showed how to bat positively on such pitches. There will always be a delivery with the batsman’s name written on it. It is better to make use of the stay at the wicket by scoring quickly. If South Africa were woeful in the first innings they were abysmal in the second. If not for South African bowling, they would have been embarrassed even further.
The second test was an absolute battering for South Africa. On a pitch where Australia amassed 585 for only 8 wickets, South Africa were bowled out for less than 250 in both the innings. This must rankle South Africa for a longtime. Never before have they been so vulnerable in Australia. This is the country that has won 3 consecutive series in Australia. The 3rd one with most of their stars having retired. Yet, this South African team has been more of a lamb to the slaughter house. It is anybody’s guess as to which way the 3rd test will proceed. Australia are not known to loosen their grip once they have their opposition on the mat. The fact that they have already won the series will not discourage them from sweeping the games.
Dean Elgar, the captain, cited lack of experience as the reason.
“We have to come up to speed to the intensity Test cricket deserves. We were good in periods, but it is not a lot. The inexperience is hitting us hard. We have lost a lot of batters in the last few years. There are opportunities for guys to make their spots their own.”
Tough winning in Australia
Having said all this, is it really doom and gloom for South Africa? That is the question whose answer will provide a glimmer of hope for the future of South African cricket and international Test cricket. Apart from this shellacking in Australia, they have not been as woeful as they are made out to be. Australia is a tough place to tour. Granted that they are not the same force any longer during the late 90s and early part of this millennium but under Cummins and in their own conditions, they still are a formidable team.
There was a short period, during the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, it looked like all is lost in Australian cricket. However, they are a proud sporting nation and have bounced back really beautifully. Last year’s thrashing of England and this year, West Indies have shown that they can never be down for too long. The successful reintegration of Smith and Warner with Smith even returning to captaincy duties, have showed how resilient they are. During this period, they also won a series in Pakistan that showed their adaptability. It is that tough to win in Australia. South Africa would not have faced so much criticism if they were batted better. Three consecutive innings of less than 250 does not wash with anyone.
Some decent recent performances
South Africa could have been blamed for lack of competitive game if they had been better with the bat because their recent performances in other countries does provide a cause for hope.
Last year, they won a series in West Indies with the team remaining almost the same but with the exception of de Kock. They proceeded to defeat India 2-1 at home and against everyone’s expectations, managed to take a lead against England. Now, we know how England is changing things around and to have defeated them when they are playing brilliant cricket must be reason enough to be optimistic. Not to mention the drawn series in New Zealand. All these wins show that the South African team is still competitive despite the massive loss of the players of the calibre of Smith, Amla, Kallis, de Villiers, Steyn & Philander.
Any team will bound to suffer when they lose such players. South Africa are no different. The challenge is that whether they are able to wither that loss and remain competitive enough. With their not so bad performances and the limited player base, they have shown that with experience to their batsmen, they can again become a top side.
Wrapping up South Africa’s struggle in Australia
World cricket cannot afford a weak South African team. With T20 and franchise cricket taking the world by storm, Test cricket will ultimately be the casualty. Already, quite a few countries have reduced Test cricket and are concentrating in limited overs cricket. Test cricket is quite lengthy. 6 hours and 5 days will test the patience of any followers. Lack of competitive games will only propel the demise of Test cricket. Inorder to arrest that slide, Test cricket must be as competitive as it can get and a good South African side will ensure that. Perhaps, just perhaps, South Africa would want to revisit their policy of mandatory players in the squad. I cannot comment because I do not know the facts well enough but if it is possible, they must revisit it.
What do you think of South Africa’s loss? Do you think that they are in a downward spiral and will be impossible for them to come up or do you think it is just a phase that will be overcome? Please comment.