South Africa's Test squad has to do no more than cast its collective mind back two years to gain inspiration and focus ahead of the second Test against India starting at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Sunday.
It was in December, 2008, when the Proteas arrived at the awesome Melbourne Cricket Ground for the second of three Tests with a 1-0 lead over an Australian side that had not suffered a home series defeat in a decade and a half.
Two years down the line they hold a 1-0 lead over the top ranked side in the world and, if they can win both of the matches over the festive season first at Kingsmead and then, Newlands they can become No1 on the rankingsl.
The Proteas have much the same formula working for them at the moment as was the case two years ago. Their top order is firing on all cylinders and the rankings at least will back up the contention that Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are the most formidable opening attack in the world at present.
Morkel made his debut against India the last time the tourists were at Kingsmead in 2006 so he should have happy memories of the ground. It is remarkable that it is less than a year since he became Steyn’s regular new ball partner. Together they have taken more than 90 wickets this year.
The Test match is also the occasion to celebrate Hashim Amla’s arrival as one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation. He will no doubt enjoy playing his 50th Test match on his home ground and he will want to make it a special occasion in terms of performance as well.
It was against India on the tour to the sub-continent last February that his career really took off. He has now completed 1 000 runs against them in only 10 matches – an average of 100 runs per match – and his career average against them stands at more than 70. He has made exactly 1 200 runs this year in Test cricket and, although Graeme Smith’s national mark of 1 656 is out of reach, he should certainly add to these impressive figures.
Few people will argue with the contention that he has gone past Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid as one of the leading No. 3 batsmen in the world at the moment.
The Proteas can expect an Indian rebound on two fronts. The visitors were much better in their second innings than in the first at SuperSport Park and this is a positive they can take forward with them. The other is the expected return of Zaheer Khan. India missed him not only for his individual ability but for the leadership that he provides to what is an inexperienced pace attack.
The scene is set for the continuation of what is building up into a classic series.
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, commented: “The Proteas’ biggest victory margin in a home Test yet against India in the first Test at SuperSport Park has set the scene for an exhilarating return encounter at Kingsmead.
“Both sides will be out to prove again which is the world’s top Test team and they will be spurred on by millions of South Africans and Indians.
“Durbanites will have a particular interest because their favourite and famous cricketing son, Hashim Amla, is currently on a Test average of 70 against India. Nobody can forget his mammoth 253 not out against India in the first Test at Nagpur last year nor his penchant for getting plenty of runs against India.
“The Proteas front line batting scored three centuries, including Jacques Kallis’s first double Test ton and A B de Villiers’ fastest Test century for a South African, at SuperSport Park and will be looking to continue this domination of the Indian bowlers.
“India, on the other hand, are hoping that the return from injury of strike bowler Zaheer Khan will blunt the Proteas’ batters and that their much-vaunted batting array will click, with maestro Sachin Tendukar once again leading the way.
“Ticket prices have been pegged to suit all pockets, including those who want to include the whole family. This is a great chance to witness a once-in-a lifetime Test and full houses will help the Proteas’ no end to continue their winning ways.”
No comments:
Post a Comment