The Proteas were on the wrong side of the coin at St George’s Park and face an uphill battle to save the series, writes Craig Stirton.
The converse of the oft-used adage “a good toss to lose” was evident over the past five days and the Proteas will lament the fall of the coin on day one.
England made a slow but steady start to their innings on the opening day, on a pitch that offered little assistance to the Proteas attack. With six wickets in hand at the close of play, the talk would have been to cash in on the second morning. And cash in they did – amassing a mammoth 499/9 before Joe Root beckoned his batsmen from the field.
While the English batsmen made the wicket appear every-bit a batsman’s paradise, the Proteas batsmen once again struggled to rise to the occasion.
Yet in the same breath, the pitch did play markedly different during the Proteas innings’. Spin played a significant role in the Proteas’ demise – Dominic Bess and Joe Root combining for ten of the Proteas wickets across the two innings.
As we know all too well, our batsmen haven’t exactly been renowned for their play against the tweakers through the years.
Yet that isn’t the most alarming stat of all. As my focus wavered during a weekend workshop, I mentally checked out to check in on the Proteas’ day three efforts.
I couldn’t believe my eyes as I opened the Supersport app. Four wickets lost for just one run is enough to make batting orders at any level blush. It is also worth noting that while occupation of the crease by our top-order was a glaring shortcoming, nightwatchman Anrich Nortje withstood the relentless pressure of the English attack – surviving no fewer than 136 balls.
This is an almighty effort when one considers that of the Proteas’ top six, only Dean Elgar faced more than fifty balls in the first innings.
The batting unit could have atoned for their measly first innings total of 209 and perhaps given themselves a fighting chance of heading to the Wanderers at one win apiece.
Not for the first time in the series or indeed the match, the hosts lost untimely wickets. Though wickets didn’t fall with the same regularity as in the first dig, the Proteas had their backs to the wall throughout.
Much like the second Test where we failed to produce the positive brand of cricket many a fan was baying for during the run-chase, there was a sense of resignation after the loss of Rassie van der Dussen as the Proteas limped to defeat inside the first session on day five.
The time is now for the Proteas batsmen to start playing the sort of innings that win you games or at least keep you in the hunt. The types of innings that batting coach Jacques Kallis and Director of Cricket Graeme Smith played with astounding regularity throughout their own careers.
Our current batting fragilities mean that there was no guarantee of a favourable result had we won the toss. But it could have only increased our chances.
Nevertheless, our batting unit will once again be under the microscope as we look to avoid yet another series defeat to England at the Wanderers.
Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
