The Cricket Fanatics Magazine team reveal their stand-out Test moments of the decade.

The Ball Tampering Saga – Khalid Mohidin

I was lucky enough to cover the most heated Proteas vs Australia Test series in history. To be present from the first Test in Durban to the last one at the Wanderers. It was a high-octane drama.

It all kicked off with the tunnel row that followed the on-field spat between Quinton de Kock and David Warner that got a bit personal during the first Test.

The whispers around the ground were that in reaction to Warner’s inappropriate comments about De Kock’s appearance and surname and his over-the-top sledging of young Aiden Markram, the wicketkeeper-batsman made an “alleged” diss about Warner’s wife and her naughty past with Sonny Bill Williams.

This brought up all the talk about “The Line” when it comes to sledging and Australia emphasizing that the line should not be crossed, a thrilling start to the contest. Oh, and Australia won, in a match that saw Mitchell Starc reverse swinging the ball from Gully and into the stumps (cue sarcastic laugh).

Then came the second Test in Port Elizabeth. The “Infinity War” to “Endgame”. It kicked off with the brushing of shoulders between Kagiso Rabada and Steve Smith. The Australia captain’s overreaction almost got the Proteas speedster a demerit that could have seen him banned after Day 1 of the 2nd Test in Port Elizabeth. This was also the Test when the Sonny Bill Williams masks created by fans caused havoc.

After the tunnel row, some Proteas fans thought that Warner was being a hypocrite to get as angry as he did with De Kock’s “alleged” diss about Australian opener’s wife, so they took it into their own hands to get revenge after stories about his wife and Williams’ relations resurfaced. Over 200 masks were created.

The events also led to the suspension of two well-known CSA officials, who were caught posing for a photo with two fans that wore the masks. All of this drama resulted in my Fan Cam interview being played on Australia news channels like Channel Nine.

After a hearing, Rabada was let off the hook and cleaned up Australia. The Proteas also won the Test comprehensively by 6 wickets.

With so much hype and eyes on the PE Test, it was now time for Newlands. Boy were the Proteas ready. They were all over Australia. But as I peeked over my computer to catch some of the action, I saw the umpires stop play to have a chat with Cameron Bancroft. I then saw a tweet from a home viewer who posted an image of something yellow that Bancroft attempted to hide in his pants. I wrote a quick story and published it. It went viral.

Later it was reported that there was suspected ball-tampering and that the ICC would investigate. We thought that was that. But what happened at the post-day press conference on Day 3 no one could predict. Smith and Bancroft came up to the presser and admitted to Ball Tampering. I sat in the front row in shock. The Proteas went on to beat the newly-labelled “cheaters” with ease by 322 runs.

The following Test at the Wanderers not only saw the Proteas cruise to victory but Australia captain Smith and vice-captain Warner were stripped of their armbands, banned from the game and a further year from all international cricket. Bancroft was also banned from the game and a further 9 months from international cricket. Oh, and the Proteas won the Test by 492 runs.

This was not my favourite Test moment of the decade, but a moment that influenced my life as a cricket journalist forever.

Morne Morkel farewell to the Newlands faithful – Naeemah Benjamin

I decided to pick a moment that I was present at. A moment at Newlands that would be etched in the history books forever.

It has to be Morne Morkel’s 5-wicket haul vs Australia during his very last game at Newlands. He announced his retirement at the start of the series, and I was gutted, him being one of my favourite players of the decade.

It was Day 4, the day after the Ball Tampering saga unfolded. There was a different sort of atmosphere floating around the ground.

Nevertheless, with the opposition spirits low, South Africa was brutal and gave everything they had to stand triumphant over the Aussies, foot-on–troat. Morkel, in particular, was exceptional.

The towering speedster ran in and ripped through that Aussie line up picking up figures of 5/23 to add to his 4 in the first innings.

SA won by a massive margin and took a 2-1 lead in the series and were on the brink of winning their first series at home vs Australia.

The vibe was amazing, South African fans were in full voice cheering, singing and rightly so.

There’s been many great occasion at Newlands but this one, in particular, seems to be one that will linger in my memory forever.

Hashim Amla engraves his name amongst the greats –Alasdair Fraser

It would have to be the Proteas’ crushing innings defeat over England in the first Test of the 2012 series at the Oval. English pride was at an all-time high with the London Olympics on and Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France victory.

But Hashim Amla came along and obliterated that with 311 runs to become the first South African to pass the triple ton mark. Only the great Don Bradman and Brian Lara have scored more runs against England.

After England scored 385 in their first innings, the hosts felt pretty chipper. But once Graeme Smith got going with Amla after Alviro Petersen was out LBW for a duck, England’s hopes were dashed as the pair put on 259 for the second wicket.

Smith departed for 131 and in stepped Jacques Kallis who shepherded Amla to his South African record Test score as the Proteas declared on 637/2. Dale Steyn then ripped through England with a five-wicket haul to give the Proteas a crushing win to go 1-0 up in the series.

We would love to your favourite Test moments. Sound off yours in the comments below.

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