Test Cricket is hard, and it was found by both South
Africa and India in a series dominated by bowlers, both the teams found it
difficult to score runs but ultimately a young South African team triumphed a
strong opponent, just like 20 years ago India have done with Australia, the win
will surely be going down as one of the finest and shall be remembered for
years to come by
The Series win against India will be Special for Proteas
As Temba Bavuma smashed Ravi Ashwin’s ball to the
boundary, the jubilance could be seen in his celebration, he then hugged Rassie
van der Dussen as the players in the dressing room started the dance and
celebrations, the whole of South Africa had already started the celebration. A
Test series win at home is not rare but when you take in contention where do
these sides stood before the start of the series, the win becomes even more
historic.
South Africa had been through a rough phase since
January 2019, they lost against Sri Lanka at home (their first Test series loss
at home against an Asian side), the 2019 World Cup debacle, 3-0 drubbing in
India. Compounded by it the young team started to saw some of the big names
retiring one by one. Vernon Philander, AB de Villiars, Hashim Amla, Faf du
Plessis, Dale Steyn bid adieu to South African Cricket, adding to this, Morne
Morkel had retired in 2018, suddenly there was a huge vacuum in South African
Cricket which needed to not only fill these voids but also had to ensure to
comply with quota policy of South African government.
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| Marco Jansen was the find of the series |
The misery didn’t end here, South Africa have been
struggling on the front of governance as well, corruption charges against the
board, failure of Mzansi Super League, Match Fixing Scandal and racial
discrimination inquiry of SJN (Social Justice and Nation Building) where number
of big names were alleged to be involved in racism.
Beyond all this there was a tough Test series to be
played against an opponent who was hungry, aggressive and aiming to conquer the
final frontier. India had won series in all the countries where they have
played barring South Africa and this time, they have arrived with a formidable
pace attack which looked all set to sweep a young batting line up and when the
visitors won the first Test it looked all but over for the home team.
Kagiso Rabada - returned with a bang
But then they rose first through bowlers who never
looked back after the first day of the series. Then riding on the back of their
steel will captain, Dean Elgar they chased down a tricky target of 240 on
Wanderers. India was left stunned and South Africa had bounced back, the score
line read 1-1.
At Newlands, South Africa had to chase again, this
time though 212 but with Kohli being back as Captain, it wasn’t too easy
especially with Indian pace firing with all cylinders. Jasprit Bumrah and
Mohammed Shami had been breathing fire, but South Africa was determined despite
all the controversies. Keegan Petersen who has been find of the series led the
team with calmness and then the others chipped in. When South Africa crossed
the line it brough sense of relief among everyone who is attached with South
African cricket for this series win by 2-1 against World’s no.1 ranked Test
team in such a difficult circumstance has given a fresh ray of hope from where
South African cricket could be taken forward.
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| Keegan Peterson seems to have a bright future |
There are however lot of challenges which lie ahead,first
the team needs to find a right set of balance and consistency. They need to
start performing in overseas conditions especially in coming assignments in
next 12 months in countries like New Zealand, England and Australia. The most crucial
thing would be to set the Board’s working in right direction. Cricket South
Africa must now lead Country’s cricket with an example of Good Governance.
Apart from series win there are number of other
positives for South Africa
1.
Keegan
Peterson: 28-Year-old who has calmness
and composure to bat at no.3, a player for long term.
2. Marco
Jansen: A tall left arm seamer who has
arrived on the international arena with fine returns. He was the main reason
for the turn around in the series.
3. Kagiso
Rabada : Rabada returns to be the bowler
of old, after blowing cold through 2020 and 2021, he returned with bang and was
the highest wicket taker of the series.
However South Africa has to see how Aiden Markram
finds his way back , they don’t want it to be a case where he was given too
much chances while the other like Peter Malan have been provided with far too opportunities.
There are no doubts that there are number of issues
which needs to be handled but the series win has given them a huge boost which
could set South African Cricket’s clock in right direction.
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