Time for heroes as a king is dethroned

By Albert Troost

PROTEAS TURN AN IMPROBABLY LONG CORNER BUT NEED TO KICK ON

How to make sense of any of that? An Indian team that outplayed a full-strength Australia Down Under just last summer were put to the sword by a young and unfancied Proteas outfit in both the Test Match and One Day International (ODI) series.

After a rusty first test showing, the South African unit went on a five-match winning streak across formats that not even their most ardent supporters would have thought possible. When the tourists finished on 272-3 at stumps on the first day of the first test at Supersport Park, the writing already seemed to be on the wall. On a flaccid surface the Indian openers showed great discipline. They left well and played the ball late; the sedate bounce did not cause much fuss and the South African attack looked toothless. Boxing Day had rarely felt as grim.

Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada looked like different players on the second morning. After a patient spell, wickets started tumbling and India were bowled out for 327. Familiar and important South African batting frailties then handed the momentum back to India and they were deserved winners.

If you looked closely, however, you would see that the South African bowlers had drawn blood from Team India. The superstar side’s batting looked overly reliant on their openers, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Rahul had struggled on the 2017-18 tour and Agarwal was playing his first test series in South Africa.The creaking middle order would need to play its part throughout the series, but newcomer Marco Jansen was a revelation that never really allowed them to stamp their authority on proceedings. The lanky fast bowler looks to be a future superstar, bowling with both pace, bounce and control at 21.

KING KOHLI’S ABSENCE SWINGS THE PENDULUM

The second test at the Wanderers was a curious one. Virat Kohli withdrew from the match with a back spasm. This after it was rumoured that the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) had asked for the series to be shortened to two test matches. Cricket South Africa (CSA) admirably insisted on a three-test tour. A reason for the proposed shortening of the tour was that Kohli’s 100th test would have to be played behind closed doors at Newlands and not in front of his adoring fans in India if the series still consisted of a triple header. Whether he was injured or not his absence was keenly felt throughout the test in Johannesburg and his energy was sorely missed.

As King Kohli left the scene,Duanne Olivier returned from self-imposed Kolpak exile at his new provincial home ground in Johannesburg. Although down on pace, Olivier cracked open the Indian top order on a seismic day for South African cricket. India had looked comfortable at 32-0 when Olivier dislodged CheteshwarPujara and Ajinkya Rahane with consecutive deliveries and India was 53-3 at lunch. There was to be no repeat of the previous test’s opening day as the Indians were bowled out for 202 before the close of play on Day 1.

Temba Bavuma put up brave resistance for the third innings in a row, and help from the tail eked out a 25-run lead for South Africa which proved to be match winning.

Bavuma averages close to 60 since the start of 2021 and really laid down a marker in the Test series and as captain in the One Day Internationals (ODIs).

SOUTH AFRICA’S OWN KP SAVES THEIR BATTING BLUSHES

The Proteas’ batting improved throughout the series with no small thanks to Player of the Series, Keegan Petersen. The diminutive number 3 grew in stature quite breathtakingly. His score of 82 in the difficult 3rdTest chase came off just 110 balls. On a wicket which had troubled world-class Indian players throughout, he showed both temperament and skill that South African fans must have thought impossible. Kohli’s stubborn 79 in India’s first innings came off 201 balls and was the second highest score of the match. Petersen has ice in his veins, but he can also transfer pressure onto bowlers, something no South African batsman has been able to do in a considered way since AB De Villiers. It was anything but smooth sailing for some of South Africa’s top order though and changes need to be considered if they are to kick on. Dean Elgar proved a perfect foil and had a wonderful series as a batsman and came into his own as a leader.

Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen’slack of form throughout the test series is difficult toignore. Despite a valuable not out 41 in the 3rd test and series winning chase, Van der Dussen only averaged 23.40 as South Africa’s number 4 and his first Test century still eludes him. He is 33 soon and there is a raft of younger talent knocking on the door. The selectors have shown faith in van der Dussen for the test tour to New Zealand by omitting talented players like David Bedingham, but another lean series would only increase the pressure on him. It is time to cash in.

Markram, on the other hand scored a brilliant 108 against Pakistan last year but has struggled in consecutive series against West Indies and India. After a stunning start to his test career, he has stagnated and now dipped. He failed to convince in the ODI series as well. Josh Richards of the Lions looks a promising talent, and One Day International Breakthrough Player of the Year Janneman Malan should also be considered as an option going forward. Sarel Erwee has been the preferred back up but does not provide a long-term alternative at 32. February’s series in New Zealand will provide a possible last chance saloon for both Markram and Van der Dussen.

IF THE TEST SERIES VICTORY WAS THE SURPRISE CAKE, THE ODI WHITEWASH WAS THE PERFECT ICING

The Protea limited overs outfit has had a mixed bag of results over the past year. The ODI team in particular has shown patchy form despite the enduring excellence of Janneman Malan. They drew an away series to previous minnows Ireland and lost in Sri Lanka. India won the last One Day series played in South Africa at a canter, humiliating the still-revered South African team 5-1 in 2018. This despite a similar 2-1 victory for South Africa in the corresponding Test series.

The confidence and swagger gained from this Test series victory, though, translated seamlessly into the One Day Arena. Batting first in the series opener in Paarl, the Proteas were reduced to 71-3. Fans prematurely shaking their heads were again shown to be of little faith, as captain Bavuma and limited overs freak Van der Dussen both scored brilliant, but entirely different centuries. Bavuma’s anchoring role allowed Van Der Dussen to tee off and help South Africa to 296-4. India seemed on track to chase it down, but South Africa’s spinners applied the squeeze beautifully to strangle the visitors and win by 31 runs.

The second match saw India post a challenging 288 but it proved to be light work for a seemingly rejuvenated de Kock and the dependable Malan, putting on 132 for the first wicket. The chase’s back was broken, and South Africa had their second unlikely series victory over India.

De Kock then followed up his 78 in the second game with a masterful 124 in the final dead rubber.A weight seemed to be lifted off his shoulders after his test retirement. If he really is back to his destructive best in the shorter formats the Proteas will be a frightening proposition.

After falling away towards the end in their innings, the Indian innings became engrossing chaos. After seeming down and out the touring side then looked to have the match in the bag after Deepak Chahar’s 54 off only 34 balls. The Proteas then staged a thrilling heist, taking the last 3 wickets in quick succession and winning by 4 runs. The talented Indian side had run out of ideas and returned home with their tails between their legs.

ONE TOUR MAY MAKE A SUMMER, BUT STERN TESTS AWAIT

As a reward for their toil, Dean Elgar’s test side can look forward to two weeks of quarantine in New Zealand. They will then play two tests against the World Test Champions in a series that suddenly has great significance. Winning in the land of the long white cloud would be as big a feather in their cap as this series victory was. They will be brimming with confidence, though, and have proven to themselves that they have the talent to go shoulder to shoulder with the elite.

The Black Caps will want to make a statement after losing their first home test to Bangladesh. South Africa close out their own home summer against the Bangladeshis and a tantalising tour to England awaits them in July. If they can build consistency and turn over Joe Root’s team, the Proteas will really be back.