South Africa- a different team, a different series

India’s win against Australia in the Commonwealth Bank series is already a few weeks old. It is time to move on. South Africa has arrived in India, after recent successes in Bangladesh and Pakistan before that. The Proteas have proved their ability to play- and win- in “sub-continental” conditions, and India cannot afford to take them lightly.

Sadly, South Africa’s selection policy has kept out Andre Nel. No doubt several black and “coloured” cricketers from South Africa were denied the opportunity to play for their country for much of the late sixties, seventies, eighties and early nineties, under the abhorrent apartheid regime. But is the current policy really not doing the same thing, except that now, it’s the “white” cricketers who are being kept out? Two wrongs can never make a right. The recent selection controversy in South Africa has also resulted in Charl Langeveldt (who was picked ahead of Nel) withdrawing from the tour because he is not in the right frame of mind given the selection fracas (after all, the selectors have all but said that he was in the team because of his colour and not skill- which is hurting to anyone, and Langeveldt is no exception). In the final analysis, South African cricket has lost, as indeed, has the overall game.

Dale Steyn has emerged as South Africa’s frontline fast bowler. In the time since India toured South Africa in 2006 (was it early 2007? I can’t recall), Steyn has acquired pace and he dangerous ability to swing the ball. That he is lethal even on the sub-continent’s flat and dusty wickets is now known. What is unknown for the moment is how India’s top order batsmen negotiate him.

At 27 years of age, Graeme Smith has had almost 5 years at the helm. During this time, he has performed well (and consistently) both as batsman and as captain, proving that young age per se does not preclude a shrewd cricketing brain.

As is often said, getting to the top is easier than staying on top. And India have to beat South Africa if they are to move forward towards achieving the stated ambition of being the top test cricket team in the world.

I am sure cricket fans are in for a treat. As always, may the better team win!

PS: I am sure the visitors will miss the all-round ability that “Polly” (Shaun Pollock) brought to the party.