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Loading ...I agree with you that SA plays very boring test cricket. Almost every test they have played, since their tour of India, they have rarely went ever around the run rate of 4. I think its an anomaly now because most teams play at a faster pace, while SA plays a lot more “conventional” test cricket.
West Indies v South Africa: dullness personified
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May Leave a comment on this post
I don’t know who I’m more annoyed at or upset with, South Africa or the West Indies. Albeit on a flat track, the West Indies have embarassed themselves further in this Test Match. They’ve already conceded 4 hundreds - even allowing Ashwell Prince to make one. That said - and although South Africa’s run-rate is at 3.5/over - there were periods today where South Africa just stopped and did nothing.
All this talk that they’re (South Africa) “on track again,” and “on the rise,” is just bullshit. Most division 1 County sides in England could take the West Indies to a draw these days; most Australian states would beat them without too much bother. And yet South Africa, and Kallis in particular, spent parts of the afternoon session doodling along as though they were 200-5. West Indies posess not a single bowling threat [1]. Yes, South Africa are ahead of the game; Yes, they’ve scored over 500 runs but 3.5 runs/over against THAT bowling attack just says to the world: “We’ve won the series, we don’t want to lose this game.”
I was similarly annoyed throughout England’s tour earlier this year, where South Africa were often behind on points and constantly played the waiting game. They’re a very boring side to watch, these days.
[1] Incidentally, Dwight Washington, who was just about managing to get the ball down to the other end of the wicket at 78mph, is down as RF on Cricinfo. Oh, how they wish…
Tags: caribbean, dull, negative, southafrica, tactics, westindies |
6 Responses to “West Indies v South Africa: dullness personified”
May 1st, 2005 at 5.08 am
May 1st, 2005 at 10.46 am
Since their re-introduction to Test Cricket, they initially never struck me as boring. For all his faults, Cronje could be an exciting batsman - and Jonty Rhodes was absolutely electric. Donald and Pollock formed a dangerous opening partnership…but since Smith became captain, it’s been “draw first, win later”
May 1st, 2005 at 2.10 pm
Yes SA has been boring, and more so recently. Mind you, even in Cronje days their test match cricket wasn’t the most exciting thing around.
But about WI, I dont think they are bad ‘in general’. They have few talented, and potentialy good players. Just inconsistent, remember how this series started for WI ! They are more like India in the pre-Wright era.
So Will, even as you say that most county and Aus state sides would beat them, remember that they chased a world record against the Aussies !
May 1st, 2005 at 2.34 pm
So boring are South Africa that they have managed to suck out some of the energy from the Indian batting lineup. In the 2 Test series here, they played at such a pathetically slow rate, that India felt they had to return the favour. SInce then India have played abysmally boring cricket for the next 7 tests - with the exceptions of Sehwag and Dravid. The middle order - Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman has been worst hit.
Also, I don’t think it is Graeme Smith’s fault - hw himself has been scoring pretty well - it is the others that are causing the problem - maybe it is a result of Ray Jennings philosophy ?!?!
May 1st, 2005 at 11.22 pm
Well, you could be right Gaurav. Do a search for “ray” or “jennings” here and you’ll see what I think of him!
June 10th, 2005 at 2.34 am
south africa are a totally boring side. I’d rather watch any other side in the world than them. Gibbs notable exception.
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