The indomitable spirit of South Africa has come to the fore over the last couple of months. Who would have expected South Africa will draw the series with New Zealand? First the incredible series win against India and that was followed by a much better performance in New Zealand. The latter will be much more satisfying than the former.

New Zealand are the current winners of World Test Championship. They won the inaugural tournament just about 8 months ago by defeating India in England. Not just that, they have been virtually unbeatable at home. Every team with the exception of Australia have found the shores of New Zealand difficult to conquer. Especially, the Asian countries. Such has been their dominance at home.

The incapability of New Zealand

The stakes were clearly high for the visiting South African team. It must also be remembered that New Zealand have never won a test series against South Africa. They were actually chasing history. Just like India a month ago, this was New Zealand’s biggest chance to secure a series win and that too at their home. The absence of Williamson was a blow but New Zealand had sufficient experience in their ranks to pull one over South Africa but what transpired was beyond expectation. Not even Deal Elgar in his wildest dreams would have expected this result. The performance of South Africa simply belied expectations.

South Africa won the series against the much fancied India. However, critics were not satisfied because it was achieved in their home country and against a bunch of Indian batsmen who have forgotten the art of scoring runs. Their main challenge will be when they step away from home and in New Zealand, they were not only against a team that were good in their own conditions but For starters, South Africa went with their least experienced squad. The likes of Smith, Amla, Kallis, AB, Steyn were replaced with players who were barely known outside their country. Having said that, these nondescript players rose to the occasion rather beautifully. They were blown away in the first test and just when everyone thought that the same is going to be repeated in the next test, South Africa surprised everyone with a commanding performance.

Dean Elgar said, “We have a young and exciting group. There is no lack of talent. It will take time, if we are winning in situations when we are behind, it is positive for us. It will make us better as a unit going forward.”

The boots filled more than adequately by Kyle

What must please South Africa was not the Sarel Erwee’s hundred though it was crucial. It was Kyle Verreynne’s hundred in the second innings that must have pleased everyone. Here is a young wicket-keeper filling in the boots of Quinton de Kock. The prospect itself was a mind-boggling one but to actually go out and play a series defining knock was something de Kock will be really proud of.

All of these clearly shows that South Africa, it does not matter whether they are without their stars must never be taken lightly. I am certainly guilty of that. They will always find a bunch of players who are raise above themselves and win games for the team. Their bowling remains in the capable hands of Jansen, Rabadda, Ntini and Nortje. Batting still needs experience and quality. Bavuma is still struggling. It has been so many years since he made his debut but he has only one hundred to show for all his efforts. It is clearly something that must worry Bavuma deeply. If only South Africa can find a better black African batsman, Bavuma will not find a spot in the team.

Another is the absolute failure of Markaram. Lot of things were expected from him but till date, he has failed to match performance with potential. Time is clearly running out for him. The sooner he gets consistent the better it is for him as well as South Africa.

Waiting for South Africa against Australia

The prospect of South Africa against Australia is quite enticing. South Africa remains the only team to have won 3 consecutive series in Australia though it was with much better players. We only have another 10 months to wait. South Africa will be travelling to Australia for a 3 test series. South African bowling is in good hands but their batsmen may come unstuck against the pace battery of the Aussies.

Conclusion to the indomitable spirit of South Africa

South Africa are by no means among the good teams of the world. They have a long way to go. They will still struggle to win in Asia. Ofcourse, they will fancy their chances in Sri Lanka but I do not expect them to be competitive in India or Pakistan or Bangladesh. They lost a 2 test series in Pakistan in 2021 and before that were blanked in India 3-0. For them to be competitive in India, they will need 3-4 batsmen who can play spin pretty well. India is bound to get stronger atleast in India. So South Africa’s task is cut-out. A wonderful South African team will be excellent news for world cricket though.

Explore More

The league phase is done and dusted

The league phase is done and dusted

The league phase is done and dusted in the ongoing T20 World Cup. There has been surprising results and some expected ones. Outrageous batting and excellent bowling. Excellent Perth pitch

Read More

Their captain is the problem

Their captain is the problem

After it was Afghanistan, now it is the turn of the Netherlands to provide the next shock in the ODI World Cup. This time, it was South Africa who suffered

Read More

The role of a cricket captain

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face of the team, the link between the players and the management and the driving force behind the team’s success. In this article, I will dwell on the various roles and responsibilities of a cricket captain. The role of a cricket captain. On-field decision making One of the most crucial roles of a cricket captain is to make tactical decisions on the field. They have to read the pitch, the conditions and the opposition team and make decisions that can swing the game in their team's favour. Once these things are studied, analysed and accounted for, the crucial decision of what to do if the toss is won must be decided. Here the captain can invite free and frank discussion with the team but the ultimate decision rests with the captain. There are so many instances of the captain being vilified for choosing the wrong option after winning the toss. The most famous instance is that of Nasser Hussain opting to bowl at the Brisbane Gabba all those years ago only for Hayden, Langer and Ponting to pummel the English bowlers into submission. Once, the team is on the field, he is all alone. Sure, the captain can always consult with the teammates but the flow of the game will be such that he will be required to take instant decisions based on nothing more than a hunch. The captain has to decide which bowler to use, when to change the field and when to declare or set a target. A good captain can sense the momentum of the game and make decisions that can turn the tide in their team's favour. Team selection: The captain plays a vital role in team selection. They have to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their team and pick the right players to fill the various positions. They have to consider the pitch and the conditions while selecting the team. They also have to factor in the form and fitness of the players before making a decision. A captain who can pick the right team can give their team a significant advantage. Being the captain is a thankless job. Far too many times, they are required to take some tough decisions. That is the reason Ganguly’s and Kohli’s decision of leaving the highest wicket-taker of their sides out of the playing eleven was hard to digest. They were based on sound cricketing logic rather than anything else. Motivation and inspiration: A captain is also responsible for motivating and inspiring their team. They have to instill a sense of belief and confidence in their players, especially during tough times. A good captain can lead by example, displaying a positive attitude and working hard on and off the field. They have to encourage their players to give their best and never give up. Captains lead by example is a phrase often heard in cricketing circles. It is not without reason. Motivated and performing captains often inspire the entire team to achieve greater heights that they may not have otherwise. Media and public relations: A cricket captain is also the face of the team in the media and public. They have to attend press conferences and interviews and handle questions from journalists and fans. They have to present a positive image of the team and communicate the team's goals and objectives. They also have to handle criticism and negativity in a professional manner. Captains can never lose their composure. The media may invent non-existent rivalries or rifts. Captains will have to deal with them calmly. Role model and mentor: Finally, a cricket captain is a role model and mentor for their players. They have to set an example in terms of discipline, work ethic, and team spirit. They have to mentor the younger players and help them grow and develop their skills. They have to create a culture of excellence and teamwork within the team. Far too often, Asian teams, especially Indian teams have this habit of seniors and juniors. The Indian teams of 70s, 80s and 90s were faction driven. Juniors were not treated well and as equal by the seniors. The situation was quite bad until the turn of the millennium. Ganguly changed all that. Now, it is a team of equals. Wrapping up the role of a cricket captain In conclusion, the role of a cricket captain is multifaceted and complex. They have to make tactical decisions on the field, select the right team, motivate and inspire their players, handle media and public relations, and be a role model and mentor for their team. A good captain can make a significant difference to their team's success, and their leadership skills can be the difference between winning and losing.

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face

Read More