Published: Nov 26, 2015, 09:02 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 26, 2015, 10:21 PM (IST)
South Africa last lost an away Test series at Sri Lanka when they were blanked 2-0 in a 2-Test series. The two survivors in the batting department for South Africa are Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. Amla was at that time not an established figure in the line-up, but de Villiers was a key member of the South African team even back then. Amla and de Villiers have come a long way since then and have achieved a lot in international cricket since then. De Villiers is now the captain of the Proteas’ One-Day International (ODI) team, whereas Amla not so long ago was elevated to the position of Test captain. Full cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 2
Having gained so much experience in playing for such a long time, they have failed to put South Africa in commanding position in the ongoing series against India. With averages of over 50 in Tests and ODIs, they are South Africa’s most prolific run-getters. While the retirements of Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith, have weakened the unit, on the other hand, the emergence of Faf du Plessis has been a big positive. They might argue that the pitches were made in such a way that it preferred the Indian. But they too have reaped benefits in home conditions. Full Cricket Updates: India vs South Africa 2015, 3rd Test at Nagpur, Day 2
One such example that comes to mind is the Cape Town Test against Australia in 2011. It was the first match of the series and Australia had put up 284 in their first innings. Australia then bowled South Africa out for 96, with seamers Shane Watson and Ryan Harris sharing 9 wickets between them. South Africa then managed to bowl Australia out for just 47 with Vernon Philander on debut wrecking havoc with 5 for 15. Chasing 236, South Africa won the match by eight wickets. READ: South Africa 32/2 at stumps vs India on Day 2, 3rd Test; Need 278 runs more to win
There weren’t cries from any player, staff or any cricketer from around the world about how the pitch behaved. It clearly favoured the fast bowlers and the spinners did not pick a single wicket in that match. You can say that it was the exact opposite of the Nagpur pitch. Many credited the bowlers for the brilliant bowling, especially Philander, who picked up 8 wickets on Test debut. READ: India vs South Africa 2015, 3rd Test: Ravichandran Ashwin questions critics of Nagpur pitch
So why are the two key South African players not being able to perform on rank turners. De Villiers to his credit has hit a couple of half-centuries in the series. But they have been extremely scrappy, especially the one in Mohali. Amla on the other end has often been dismissed playing for the turn, but the ball has held its line and gone straight through. What’s common is that both the senior pros have not learnt from their mistakes. They have not tried to adapt to the conditions and therefore have themselves to blame, not the pitch. If that is the example these two players are going to set, rest of the players—players who look up to them will be unable to play properly. READ: India vs South Africa 2015, 3rd Test: Indian spinners to be credited more than pitch, says Russell Domingo
With South Africa on the cusp of losing this series—their first in 9 years—one can only hope that it is a learning curve for the entire team. This series has proved that Amla and de Villiers too have a few things they can inculcate in their batting and perform better next time the tour India.
(PramodAnanth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
