Michael Roberts
Sri Lanka’s recent defeat by an innings within three days at “The Bullring” — as the New Wanderer’s Ground in Johannesburg is known among locals — may seem devastating even though I, for one, was expecting them to fare badly in this match. This expectation was based on the Bullring’s reputation for pacey pitches as well as the past history of our teams in the Veldt. After all, in the First Test at Johannesburg in early November 2002 we lost by an innings and 64 runs scoring 191 and 130 in the face of the Saf total of 386 runs; while a little earlier on 20-22nd January 2001 Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 07 runs at the Centurion ground in the Transvaal region. In brief, our famous batsmen of yesteryear had also been swamped and shot out on the high elevation pitches of the Veldt.
So, the failure of the relatively inexperienced young batsmen last week looks less severe, and even “normal”, within this frame of comparison. But let me insert another set of factors that places their batting collapses in less severe light. The argument is tentative because it is from a couch afar and without the sort of expertise that Pollock, Haysman, Amold and Mwanga brought to the commentarial overview.
In the first place, South Africa won the toss, batted first and were able to mount a large score on the first day — courtesy of super batting from Duminy and Amla. While one would anticipate pace and bunce to be a major factor at the outset what transpired subsequently suggests – I stress that word “suggests” – that batting was easier on Day One than subsequently.
This conjecture develops from the fact that on the third day – as Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap — the commentators, with Shaun Pollock in the forefront, spoke of “leopard spots’ and “indentations” on the pitch. This characteristic, it seems, was inducing uneven bounce and pace. The implication was driven home to me when Kusal Mendis played back to Rabada and found the ball at face-frontal splicing off his glove and handle to gully.
The difficulties arising from this type of phenomenon on the 2nd and 3rd days of the match were more severe for the Sri Lankans than the Safs because the latter had two pacemen who were taller and faster than the Lankan quickies – referring here to Rabada and Olivier.
As proof of this speculative pudding, consider the number of wickets lost on the three days:
DAY ONE = Safs 03 …………………………… Total 03
DAY TWO = Safs 07 + SL 04 11
DAY THREE = SL 06 + SL 10 16
This is a tentative theory that does not deny the weaknesses revealed by the present team (not unlike their more reputed forebears) in the face of good fast bowling on pacey pitches. The simple test for this set of arguments is to have it placed before those wise men who were right there and saw pitch and outcome over three days: namely, Pommie M, Shaun P, Mike H and Russell Arnold.
After all, it was Pollock’s reference to “leopard spots” and a filmic-reproduction showing the number of balls at specific heights which the Saf batsmen had played at and missed (quite a number) which pointed to the weighty influence of the pitch by highlighting the imprint of luck – a whisker here and a whisker there being the difference between snick and miss. Add height at which ball arrives and then one begins to get the message: batting is a difficult art in such conditions in the face of tall pacemen who generate speed and bounce.
*** ***
ADDENDUM, 18 January 2017
- Studying the TV-recording of the Second day’s play at the Bullring again, I find that Russel Arnold referred to the fact that batting was “not easy’ during the overs prior to Kusal Mendis’ dismissal. That said, my feeling that Mendis should have dropped his hands and worn the ball on his body/face was echoed by Pollock— easy to say but not so easy to carry out.
- The Television scenario of the ground’s surroundings underlined the fact that there had been thunderstorms the night before (after Day One) and the presence of dark clouds on one side – clouds that brought a premature end to the day I think. So, the atmospheric conditions would have been conducive to swing – just Philander’s brew.
- Finally, readers should understand WHY I referred to the Veldt. In the higher elevation encompassing the Veldt rugby balls that are punted, place-kicked or drop-kicked travel further than similar kicks at lower elevations. I assume that the cricket ball receives a similar boost, albeit in speed, though I am not certain about this possibility
*** ****
12,13,14 January 2017 (5-day match)
|
South Africa 1st innings |
R |
M |
B |
4s |
6s |
SR |
 |
SC Cook |
lbw b Mathews |
10 |
75 |
41 |
0 |
0 |
24.39 |
|
15.3 121.5 kph, given! Mathews has taken one…at last. But Cook calls for the review. Bounce can be factor at this ground, but this looked good. Hang on, has he overstepped?! This is very tight. A millimetre of heel means he’s ruled okay. It’s a full delivery, hits well below the knee roll and it’s slamming into middle stump 45/1 |
|
D Elgar |
c Karunaratne b Kumara |
27 |
80 |
54 |
3 |
0 |
50.00 |
|
16.2 136.6 kph, and another! One brings two, as they say. Bit of a loose shot from Elgar. A back-of-a-length ball outside off, angling across, he’s playing a long way from his body, a cross between a cut and a back-foot drive, and gets a thick top edge to first slip 45/2 |
|
HM Amla |
c †Chandimal b Pradeep |
134 |
391 |
265 |
16 |
0 |
50.56 |
|
107.2 136.1 kph, brilliant catch! Chandimal has scooped one diving low to his right. Amla’s fine innings is ended. A length delivery just outside off stump, just shapes away enough to take the outside edge as Amla looks to angle it away. It was dying into the cordon. Wouldn’t have reached first slip. Chandimal dived across and got his glove to it. Is rightly delighted with that grab 367/7 |
|
JP Duminy |
c Mendis b Kumara |
155 |
293 |
221 |
19 |
0 |
70.13 |
|
88.4 142.5 kph, and he’s gone! Edges to second slip. He can’t quite see out the day. A length ball angled across outside off, he pushes at it and the thick edge his snaffled to his left by Mendis 337/3 |
|
D Olivier |
c †Chandimal b Mathews |
3 |
41 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
12.50 |
|
97.5 124.4 kph, zips through as Olivier pushes at it, was there a sound? Oxenford doesn’t think so but Mathews and the cordon were pretty confident and ask for the review. There’s a little tickle on the audio as the ball straightens past the outside edge; and Ultra Edge murmurs its assent – that’s it, SL finally have their man, Angie has a second 346/4 |
|
F du Plessis* |
c Mendis b Pradeep |
16 |
33 |
25 |
2 |
0 |
64.00 |
|
103.3 135.8 kph, and he’s gone now! Another ripping delivery. Back of a length, completely squares up du Plessis and the outside edge is comfortably held at second slip this time 364/5 |
|
T Bavuma |
c Silva b Pradeep |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
103.5 136.7 kph, and another! That’s a sharp snaffle at third slip. This is fuller, outside off, Bavuma can’t resist having a hard-handed push, well away from his body, and it’s grabbed above the head by Silva 364/6 |
|
Q de Kock† |
c de Silva b Kumara |
34 |
99 |
51 |
5 |
0 |
66.66 |
|
124.1 139.6 kph, crashed high and hard out to deep point, and that is the end of that! A well-judged take from de Silva, running round to his right, and comfortably pouched. Kumara claims another four-for, sharing the spoils with Pradeep, but South Africa have a very healthy total on the board 426/10 |
|
VD Philander |
c †Chandimal b Pradeep |
0 |
13 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
109.2 138.4 kph, my goodness! This has leapt off a length. How do you play that? This has spat, jumped at Philander and clipped the thumb of his glove to the keeper 378/8 |
|
WD Parnell |
c Tharanga b Kumara |
23 |
58 |
47 |
4 |
0 |
48.93 |
|
122.1 140.0 kph, slashed on the up, out to deep point, and gone! A bit of a shock all round. A short ball, outside off, battered high and hard, and in the thin Highveld air it just carries on drifting and drifting to the man back on the rope. Still, they all count. Blimey, he made a meal of that take … his chest did most of the work … 425/9 |
|
K Rabada |
not out |
0 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
|
|
Total |
(all out; 124.1 overs; 547 mins) |
426 |
(3.43 runs per over) |
Fall of wickets 1-45 (Cook, 15.3 ov), 2-45 (Elgar, 16.2 ov), 3-337 (Duminy, 88.4 ov), 4-346 (Olivier, 97.5 ov), 5-364 (du Plessis, 103.3 ov), 6-364 (Bavuma, 103.5 ov), 7-367 (Amla, 107.2 ov), 8-378 (Philander, 109.2 ov), 9-425 (Parnell, 122.1 ov), 10-426 (de Kock, 124.1 ov)
|
Bowling |
O |
M |
R |
W |
Econ |
0s |
4s |
6s |
|
|
RAS Lakmal |
30 |
8 |
81 |
0 |
2.70 |
142 |
10 |
0 |
|
|
|
N Pradeep |
27 |
8 |
78 |
4 |
2.88 |
125 |
10 |
0 |
|
103.3 to du Plessis, 135.8 kph, and he’s gone now! Another ripping delivery. Back of a length, completely squares up du Plessis and the outside edge is comfortably held at second slip this time 364/5
103.5 to Bavuma, 136.7 kph, and another! That’s a sharp snaffle at third slip. This is fuller, outside off, Bavuma can’t resist having a hard-handed push, well away from his body, and it’s grabbed above the head by Silva 364/6
107.2 to Amla, 136.1 kph, brilliant catch! Chandimal has scooped one diving low to his right. Amla’s fine innings is ended. A length delivery just outside off stump, just shapes away enough to take the outside edge as Amla looks to angle it away. It was dying into the cordon. Wouldn’t have reached first slip. Chandimal dived across and got his glove to it. Is rightly delighted with that grab 367/7
109.2 to Philander, 138.4 kph, my goodness! This has leapt off a length. How do you play that? This has spat, jumped at Philander and clipped the thumb of his glove to the keeper 378/8 |
|
AD Mathews |
20 |
6 |
52 |
2 |
2.60 |
94 |
6 |
0 |
|
15.3 to Cook, 121.5 kph, given! Mathews has taken one…at last. But Cook calls for the review. Bounce can be factor at this ground, but this looked good. Hang on, has he overstepped?! This is very tight. A millimetre of heel means he’s ruled okay. It’s a full delivery, hits well below the knee roll and it’s slamming into middle stump 45/1
97.5 to Olivier, 124.4 kph, zips through as Olivier pushes at it, was there a sound? Oxenford doesn’t think so but Mathews and the cordon were pretty confident and ask for the review. There’s a little tickle on the audio as the ball straightens past the outside edge; and Ultra Edge murmurs its assent – that’s it, SL finally have their man, Angie has a second 346/4 |
|
CBRLS Kumara |
25.1 |
2 |
107 |
4 |
4.25 |
98 |
15 |
0 |
|
16.2 to Elgar, 136.6 kph, and another! One brings two, as they say. Bit of a loose shot from Elgar. A back-of-a-length ball outside off, angling across, he’s playing a long way from his body, a cross between a cut and a back-foot drive, and gets a thick top edge to first slip 45/2
88.4 to Duminy, 142.5 kph, and he’s gone! Edges to second slip. He can’t quite see out the day. A length ball angled across outside off, he pushes at it and the thick edge his snaffled to his left by Mendis 337/3
122.1 to Parnell, 140.0 kph, slashed on the up, out to deep point, and gone! A bit of a shock all round. A short ball, outside off, battered high and hard, and in the thin Highveld air it just carries on drifting and drifting to the man back on the rope. Still, they all count. Blimey, he made a meal of that take … his chest did most of the work … 425/9
124.1 to de Kock, 139.6 kph, crashed high and hard out to deep point, and that is the end of that! A well-judged take from de Silva, running round to his right, and comfortably pouched. Kumara claims another four-for, sharing the spoils with Pradeep, but South Africa have a very healthy total on the board 426/10 |
|
HMRKB Herath |
14 |
0 |
67 |
0 |
4.78 |
46 |
8 |
0 |
|
|
|
DM de Silva |
8 |
1 |
22 |
0 |
2.75 |
28 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
Sri Lanka 1st innings |
R |
M |
B |
4s |
6s |
SR |
|
FDM Karunaratne |
c †de Kock b Philander |
0 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
0.4 129.4 kph, he’s hit that one! Not doubt this time. A touch fuller, nipping away outside off, he hangs his bat just away from his body and it’s a regulation catch for de Kock. That didn’t take long 0/1 |
|
JK Silva |
c †de Kock b Rabada |
13 |
66 |
42 |
2 |
0 |
30.95 |
|
14.5 141.4 kph, perfect line, ideal length, thin tickle, through to the keeper. There’s the breakthrough! Ever so slightly back of a length, but Silva held his bat in line with little conviction, and the deflection was palpable 47/2 |
|
BKG Mendis |
c Duminy b Rabada |
41 |
86 |
58 |
6 |
1 |
70.68 |
|
20.2 141.6 kph, fierce change-up in pace! And that’s completely suckered Mendis! Pounded into the pitch, attacking the arm-pit, and Mendis flings up his gloves in self-defence, for Duminy to snaffle a simple lobbed chance in the cordon. That’s a quality wicket for a quality fast bowler, and now Sri Lanka’s resolve will be tested 62/3 |
|
DM de Silva |
c Bavuma b Philander |
10 |
33 |
24 |
1 |
0 |
41.66 |
|
21.4 127.4 kph, driven in the air, and that’s cherry-picking for Bavuma at point! Outside off, full and inviting, but de Silva’s weight was never as committed to the stroke as his bat. Squirts off a fat outside edge, high to Bavuma’s left, and he makes a sharp chance look easy 70/4 |
|
AD Mathews* |
c †de Kock b Rabada |
19 |
84 |
43 |
3 |
0 |
44.18 |
|
36.6 139.2 kph, stunner! That is simply brilliant from Quentin de Kock! A hard, low, flying edge, scooped in one mitt in front of first slip. Mathews didn’t do much wrong there, really. A beautiful line and length that demanded a stroke – he didn’t go looking for it. But the ball nibbled just enough to kiss the edge and the keeper did the rest! A tiny bobble as he hit the turf, but that was world-class 100/6 |
|
LD Chandimal† |
c †de Kock b Philander |
5 |
46 |
30 |
0 |
0 |
16.66 |
|
31.1 126.4 kph, edged and gone! Just too simple for Philander. Perfect line and length, swung through the air, nipped off the seam, flicked the bat and nestled comfortably into de Kock’s gloves. That’s the early breakthrough. They will want and expect a whole heap more this morning… 90/5 |
|
WU Tharanga |
c Elgar b Olivier |
24 |
69 |
45 |
4 |
0 |
53.33 |
|
44.2 139.2 kph, edged, taken at third slip! Angled across outside off, Tharanga pushing away from his body and it’s a regulation nick which is neatly grabbed by Elgar who just had to move a little to his left 126/9 |
|
HMRKB Herath |
c Cook b Olivier |
8 |
19 |
11 |
1 |
0 |
72.72 |
|
40.2 135.3 kph, there it is! He’s off the mark and that’s a wicket for any fast bowler to treasure! A throat-hunting bouncer, got massive on the batsman as leant back to pull, and steepled a huge top-edge for Stephen Cook to pouch just backward of square leg 108/7 |
|
RAS Lakmal |
c Rabada b Parnell |
4 |
18 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
44.44 |
|
43.6 137.3 kph, and he’s got one! Not how pace bowlers look to take their wickets, but Parnell won’t care. It’s a full delivery, Lakmal goes for the drive, he’s doesn’t get that far forward, and just spoons the catch to mid-off where Rabada takes it sharply above his head 126/8 |
|
CBRLS Kumara |
not out |
1 |
12 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
100.00 |
|
|
|
N Pradeep |
c & b Parnell |
4 |
9 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
57.14 |
|
45.4 137.9 kph, and that’s that! Spooned back to the bowler, jabbing forward at a length delivery which stopped on him, Parnell does very well to stoop low in his followthrough and grab the ball close to the turf. Pradeep stands his ground, the umpires get together. The soft signal is out as they go upstairs. Now then, has he got his fingers. under it? As ever, TV doesn’t make it clear. Remember, soft signal out so evidence has to be conclusive the other way. And Aleem Dar upholds the catch. 131/10 |
|
Total |
(all out; 45.4 overs; 225 mins) |
131 |
(2.86 runs per over) |
Fall of wickets 1-0 (Karunaratne, 0.4 ov), 2-47 (Silva, 14.5 ov), 3-62 (Mendis, 20.2 ov), 4-70 (de Silva, 21.4 ov), 5-90 (Chandimal, 31.1 ov), 6-100 (Mathews, 36.6 ov), 7-108 (Herath, 40.2 ov), 8-126 (Lakmal, 43.6 ov), 9-126 (Tharanga, 44.2 ov), 10-131 (Pradeep, 45.4 ov)
|
Bowling |
O |
M |
R |
W |
Econ |
0s |
4s |
6s |
|
VD Philander |
14 |
5 |
28 |
3 |
2.00 |
72 |
2 |
1 |
|
0.4 to Karunaratne, 129.4 kph, he’s hit that one! Not doubt this time. A touch fuller, nipping away outside off, he hangs his bat just away from his body and it’s a regulation catch for de Kock. That didn’t take long 0/1
21.4 to de Silva, 127.4 kph, driven in the air, and that’s cherry-picking for Bavuma at point! Outside off, full and inviting, but de Silva’s weight was never as committed to the stroke as his bat. Squirts off a fat outside edge, high to Bavuma’s left, and he makes a sharp chance look easy 70/4
31.1 to Chandimal, 126.4 kph, edged and gone! Just too simple for Philander. Perfect line and length, swung through the air, nipped off the seam, flicked the bat and nestled comfortably into de Kock’s gloves. That’s the early breakthrough. They will want and expect a whole heap more this morning… 90/5 |
|
WD Parnell |
10.4 |
2 |
38 |
2 |
3.56 |
48 |
6 |
0 |
|
43.6 to Lakmal, 137.3 kph, and he’s got one! Not how pace bowlers look to take their wickets, but Parnell won’t care. It’s a full delivery, Lakmal goes for the drive, he’s doesn’t get that far forward, and just spoons the catch to mid-off where Rabada takes it sharply above his head 126/8
45.4 to Pradeep, 137.9 kph, and that’s that! Spooned back to the bowler, jabbing forward at a length delivery which stopped on him, Parnell does very well to stoop low in his followthrough and grab the ball close to the turf. Pradeep stands his ground, the umpires get together. The soft signal is out as they go upstairs. Now then, has he got his fingers. under it? As ever, TV doesn’t make it clear. Remember, soft signal out so evidence has to be conclusive the other way. And Aleem Dar upholds the catch. 131/10 |
|
D Olivier |
9 |
3 |
19 |
2 |
2.11 |
45 |
3 |
0 |
|
40.2 to Herath, 135.3 kph, there it is! He’s off the mark and that’s a wicket for any fast bowler to treasure! A throat-hunting bouncer, got massive on the batsman as leant back to pull, and steepled a huge top-edge for Stephen Cook to pouch just backward of square leg 108/7
44.2 to Tharanga, 139.2 kph, edged, taken at third slip! Angled across outside off, Tharanga pushing away from his body and it’s a regulation nick which is neatly grabbed by Elgar who just had to move a little to his left 126/9 |
|
K Rabada |
12 |
3 |
44 |
3 |
3.66 |
53 |
7 |
0 |
|
14.5 to Silva, 141.4 kph, perfect line, ideal length, thin tickle, through to the keeper. There’s the breakthrough! Ever so slightly back of a length, but Silva held his bat in line with little conviction, and the deflection was palpable 47/2
20.2 to Mendis, 141.6 kph, fierce change-up in pace! And that’s completely suckered Mendis! Pounded into the pitch, attacking the arm-pit, and Mendis flings up his gloves in self-defence, for Duminy to snaffle a simple lobbed chance in the cordon. That’s a quality wicket for a quality fast bowler, and now Sri Lanka’s resolve will be tested 62/3
36.6 to Mathews, 139.2 kph, stunner! That is simply brilliant from Quentin de Kock! A hard, low, flying edge, scooped in one mitt in front of first slip. Mathews didn’t do much wrong there, really. A beautiful line and length that demanded a stroke – he didn’t go looking for it. But the ball nibbled just enough to kiss the edge and the keeper did the rest! A tiny bobble as he hit the turf, but that was world-class 100/6 |
|
Sri Lanka 2nd innings (following on) |
R |
M |
B |
4s |
6s |
SR |
|
FDM Karunaratne |
b Rabada |
50 |
138 |
78 |
5 |
0 |
64.10 |
|
29.3 139.5 kph, cleaned him up! Full, straight, Karunaratne going for a drive and the ball scoots through the gap that he left. Defeated by the angle, but he left a huge gate. Smart bowling, though. The bail ended up a fine leg! 108/6 |
|
JK Silva |
c †de Kock b Rabada |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
1.1 133.1 kph, vicious! What a start. Unplayable. Just back of a length, this jumps at Silva, not much he can do about it, takes the glove and de Kock is almost caught unawares as he sticks his his right glove to snatch it in front of first slip 2/1 |
|
BKG Mendis |
b Parnell |
24 |
50 |
50 |
5 |
0 |
48.00 |
|
12.5 133.2 kph, chopped on! Impeccable seam position, ghosting back in and straightening from the angle across the right hander, as Mendis lined up for the cut, but hacked the ball into his own stumps! 39/2 |
|
DM de Silva |
c du Plessis b Olivier |
12 |
59 |
23 |
1 |
0 |
52.17 |
|
19.2 130.4 kph, edged, and there goes another! A fine catch from du Plessis, leaning across at second slip to snaffle a sharp chance. De Silva had to play at that, outside off, angling back in all the time, and kissing the edge 59/3 |
|
AD Mathews* |
c du Plessis b Olivier |
10 |
23 |
11 |
1 |
0 |
90.90 |
|
23.6 135.8 kph, what a catch! That’s one of the greats! A flying Faf at second slip. Short outside off, Mathews flashes with a cross bat. Takes the top edge. For all money it looks like it will clear the slips, but du Plessis leaps, gets terrific hang time, sticks his right hand up and plucks the ball out of thin air. Mathews can barely believe it. Neither can the South Africans. Wow. 87/4 |
|
LD Chandimal† |
c Amla b Philander |
10 |
23 |
15 |
2 |
0 |
66.66 |
|
28.6 131.6 kph, edged, taken at first slip! Pulls the length back a fraction, it’s on off stump, there’s still that movement and it does enough to nick the outside edge and it’s a lovely catching height to Amla 108/5 |
|
WU Tharanga |
c Duminy b Parnell |
26 |
60 |
29 |
5 |
0 |
89.65 |
|
40.6 135.8 kph, short and wide, slashed high, out to deep backward point, Duminy hurtles back, and clings onto a blinder! He turned, gave chase, running fully 20 yards before launching a full-length dive to end a combative stand! 177/8 |
|
HMRKB Herath |
c Bavuma b Parnell |
10 |
25 |
17 |
2 |
0 |
58.82 |
|
34.6 131.8 kph, banged in short, fierce pace and aggression. Nothing Herath could do as the ball reared at his nose. Up come the gloves in self-defence, and down goes the wicket, courtesy of a looped catch to gully 134/7 |
|
RAS Lakmal |
c Philander b Parnell |
31 |
40 |
26 |
6 |
0 |
119.23 |
|
42.3 129.2 kph, short again, an ambitious swipe off the eyebrows, a big steepling top-edge, deep square leg steadies himself, and seals a 3-0 whitewash! Lakmal’s defiance comes to an end, as does a crushingly dominant South African display 177/10 |
|
CBRLS Kumara |
c Cook b Olivier |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
41.2 141.4 kph, banged in short, flicks something as Lahiru ducks, and South Africa review for the catch! That definitely took the shoulder, but was there bat first? It seems so, the decision is overturned! An infinitesmal nick. Must admit, I barely saw it 177/9 |
|
N Pradeep |
not out |
0 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
|
|
Total |
(all out; 42.3 overs; 205 mins) |
177 |
(4.16 runs per over) |
Fall of wickets 1-2 (Silva, 1.1 ov), 2-39 (Mendis, 12.5 ov), 3-59 (de Silva, 19.2 ov), 4-87 (Mathews, 23.6 ov), 5-108 (Chandimal, 28.6 ov), 6-108 (Karunaratne, 29.3 ov), 7-134 (Herath, 34.6 ov), 8-177 (Tharanga, 40.6 ov), 9-177 (Kumara, 41.2 ov), 10-177 (Lakmal, 42.3 ov)
|
Bowling |
O |
M |
R |
W |
Econ |
0s |
4s |
6s |
|
|
VD Philander |
10 |
1 |
35 |
1 |
3.50 |
43 |
4 |
0 |
|
28.6 to Chandimal, 131.6 kph, edged, taken at first slip! Pulls the length back a fraction, it’s on off stump, there’s still that movement and it does enough to nick the outside edge and it’s a lovely catching height to Amla 108/5 |
|
K Rabada |
12 |
3 |
50 |
2 |
4.16 |
51 |
8 |
0 |
|
1.1 to Silva, 133.1 kph, vicious! What a start. Unplayable. Just back of a length, this jumps at Silva, not much he can do about it, takes the glove and de Kock is almost caught unawares as he sticks his his right glove to snatch it in front of first slip 2/1
29.3 to Karunaratne, 139.5 kph, cleaned him up! Full, straight, Karunaratne going for a drive and the ball scoots through the gap that he left. Defeated by the angle, but he left a huge gate. Smart bowling, though. The bail ended up a fine leg! 108/6 |
|
WD Parnell |
10.3 |
1 |
51 |
4 |
4.85 |
43 |
9 |
0 |
|
12.5 to Mendis, 133.2 kph, chopped on! Impeccable seam position, ghosting back in and straightening from the angle across the right hander, as Mendis lined up for the cut, but hacked the ball into his own stumps! 39/2
34.6 to Herath, 131.8 kph, banged in short, fierce pace and aggression. Nothing Herath could do as the ball reared at his nose. Up come the gloves in self-defence, and down goes the wicket, courtesy of a looped catch to gully 134/7
40.6 to Tharanga, 135.8 kph, short and wide, slashed high, out to deep backward point, Duminy hurtles back, and clings onto a blinder! He turned, gave chase, running fully 20 yards before launching a full-length dive to end a combative stand! 177/8
42.3 to Lakmal, 129.2 kph, short again, an ambitious swipe off the eyebrows, a big steepling top-edge, deep square leg steadies himself, and seals a 3-0 whitewash! Lakmal’s defiance comes to an end, as does a crushingly dominant South African display 177/10 |
|
D Olivier |
9 |
2 |
38 |
3 |
4.22 |
40 |
6 |
0 |
|
19.2 to de Silva, 130.4 kph, edged, and there goes another! A fine catch from du Plessis, leaning across at second slip to snaffle a sharp chance. De Silva had to play at that, outside off, angling back in all the time, and kissing the edge 59/3
23.6 to Mathews, 135.8 kph, what a catch! That’s one of the greats! A flying Faf at second slip. Short outside off, Mathews flashes with a cross bat. Takes the top edge. For all money it looks like it will clear the slips, but du Plessis leaps, gets terrific hang time, sticks his right hand up and plucks the ball out of thin air. Mathews can barely believe it. Neither can the South Africans. Wow. 87/4
41.2 to Kumara, 141.4 kph, banged in short, flicks something as Lahiru ducks, and South Africa review for the catch! That definitely took the shoulder, but was there bat first? It seems so, the decision is overturned! An infinitesmal nick. Must admit, I barely saw it 177/9 |
|
JP Duminy |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1.00 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Match Notes
- Day 3
- Day 2
- Day 1
-
- South Africa 1st innings
- Drinks: South Africa – 36/0 in 13.0 overs (SC Cook 9, D Elgar 23)
- Over 15.3: Review by South Africa (Batting), Umpire – BNJ Oxenford, Batsman – SC Cook (Struck down)
- South Africa: 50 runs in 17.4 overs (106 balls), Extras 9
- Lunch: South Africa – 79/2 in 25.0 overs (HM Amla 6, JP Duminy 23)
- 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 79 balls (HM Amla 6, JP Duminy 38, Ex 6)
- South Africa: 100 runs in 30.1 overs (182 balls), Extras 14
- JP Duminy: 50 off 62 balls (10 x 4)
- Drinks: South Africa – 133/2 in 39.0 overs (HM Amla 19, JP Duminy 58)
- 3rd Wicket: 100 runs in 159 balls (HM Amla 26, JP Duminy 63, Ex 11)
- South Africa: 150 runs in 44.4 overs (269 balls), Extras 19
- HM Amla: 50 off 109 balls (7 x 4)
- Tea: South Africa – 193/2 in 55.0 overs (HM Amla 50, JP Duminy 87)
- 3rd Wicket: 150 runs in 238 balls (HM Amla 52, JP Duminy 88, Ex 11)
- South Africa: 200 runs in 56.5 overs (342 balls), Extras 19
- JP Duminy: 100 off 140 balls (14 x 4)
- 3rd Wicket: 200 runs in 280 balls (HM Amla 78, JP Duminy 111, Ex 12)
- South Africa: 250 runs in 63.2 overs (381 balls), Extras 20
- Drinks: South Africa – 284/2 in 74.0 overs (HM Amla 97, JP Duminy 130)
- HM Amla: 100 off 169 balls (14 x 4)
- 3rd Wicket: 250 runs in 357 balls (HM Amla 104, JP Duminy 134, Ex 12)
- South Africa: 300 runs in 76.5 overs (462 balls), Extras 20
- Reviews used before 80th over: South Africa 1 (0 successful, 1 unsuccessful); Sri Lanka 2 (0 successful, 0 unsuccessful)
- New ball taken after 80 overs
- JP Duminy: 150 off 218 balls (19 x 4)
- End Of Day: South Africa – 338/3 in 90.0 overs (HM Amla 125, D Olivier 0)
-
- Over 97.5: Review by Sri Lanka (Bowling), Umpire – BNJ Oxenford, Batsman – D Olivier (Upheld)
- South Africa: 350 runs in 98.5 overs (594 balls), Extras 21
- Drinks: South Africa – 364/4 in 103.0 overs (HM Amla 132, F du Plessis 16)
- Over 108.5: Review by South Africa (Batting), Umpire – RJ Tucker, Batsman – VD Philander (Upheld)
- Lunch: South Africa – 398/8 in 114.0 overs (Q de Kock 17, WD Parnell 12)
- South Africa: 400 runs in 115.2 overs (693 balls), Extras 24
- Innings Break: South Africa – 426/10 in 124.1 overs (K Rabada 0)
- Sri Lanka 1st innings
- Over 0.2: Review by South Africa (Bowling), Umpire – RJ Tucker, Batsman – FDM Karunaratne (Struck down)
- Tea: Sri Lanka – 46/1 in 13.0 overs (JK Silva 12, BKG Mendis 33)
- Sri Lanka: 50 runs in 17.1 overs (103 balls), Extras 1
- Drinks: Sri Lanka – 80/4 in 28.0 overs (AD Mathews 11, LD Chandimal 3)
- Bad Light: Sri Lanka – 80/4 in 28.4 overs (AD Mathews 11, LD Chandimal 3)
- End Of Day: Sri Lanka – 80/4 in 28.4 overs (AD Mathews 11, LD Chandimal 3)
-
- Over 35.4: Review by Sri Lanka (Batting), Umpire – BNJ Oxenford, Batsman – AD Mathews (Upheld)
- Sri Lanka: 100 runs in 36.5 overs (221 balls), Extras 2
- Over 37.4: Review by South Africa (Bowling), Umpire – BNJ Oxenford, Batsman – WU Tharanga (Struck down)
- Drinks: Sri Lanka – 108/7 in 40.2 overs (WU Tharanga 10)
- Innings Break: Sri Lanka – 131/10 in 45.4 overs (CBRLS Kumara 1)
- Sri Lanka 2nd innings
- Lunch: Sri Lanka – 13/1 in 5.0 overs (FDM Karunaratne 8, BKG Mendis 5)
- Sri Lanka: 50 runs in 15.6 overs (96 balls), Extras 1
- Sri Lanka: 100 runs in 28.2 overs (171 balls), Extras 2
- FDM Karunaratne: 50 off 75 balls (5 x 4)
- Tea: Sri Lanka – 124/6 in 33.0 overs (WU Tharanga 9, HMRKB Herath 6)
- Sri Lanka: 150 runs in 36.4 overs (221 balls), Extras 4
- Over 41.2: Review by South Africa (Bowling), Umpire – BNJ Oxenford, Batsman – CBRLS Kumara (Upheld)
*** ***
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A Massacre at Johannesburg? Reflections
Michael Roberts
So, the failure of the relatively inexperienced young batsmen last week looks less severe, and even “normal”, within this frame of comparison. But let me insert another set of factors that places their batting collapses in less severe light. The argument is tentative because it is from a couch afar and without the sort of expertise that Pollock, Haysman, Amold and Mwanga brought to the commentarial overview.
In the first place, South Africa won the toss, batted first and were able to mount a large score on the first day — courtesy of super batting from Duminy and Amla. While one would anticipate pace and bunce to be a major factor at the outset what transpired subsequently suggests – I stress that word “suggests” – that batting was easier on Day One than subsequently.
This conjecture develops from the fact that on the third day – as Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap — the commentators, with Shaun Pollock in the forefront, spoke of “leopard spots’ and “indentations” on the pitch. This characteristic, it seems, was inducing uneven bounce and pace. The implication was driven home to me when Kusal Mendis played back to Rabada and found the ball at face-frontal splicing off his glove and handle to gully.
The difficulties arising from this type of phenomenon on the 2nd and 3rd days of the match were more severe for the Sri Lankans than the Safs because the latter had two pacemen who were taller and faster than the Lankan quickies – referring here to Rabada and Olivier.
As proof of this speculative pudding, consider the number of wickets lost on the three days:
DAY ONE = Safs 03 …………………………… Total 03
DAY TWO = Safs 07 + SL 04 11
DAY THREE = SL 06 + SL 10 16
This is a tentative theory that does not deny the weaknesses revealed by the present team (not unlike their more reputed forebears) in the face of good fast bowling on pacey pitches. The simple test for this set of arguments is to have it placed before those wise men who were right there and saw pitch and outcome over three days: namely, Pommie M, Shaun P, Mike H and Russell Arnold.
After all, it was Pollock’s reference to “leopard spots” and a filmic-reproduction showing the number of balls at specific heights which the Saf batsmen had played at and missed (quite a number) which pointed to the weighty influence of the pitch by highlighting the imprint of luck – a whisker here and a whisker there being the difference between snick and miss. Add height at which ball arrives and then one begins to get the message: batting is a difficult art in such conditions in the face of tall pacemen who generate speed and bounce.
*** ***
ADDENDUM, 18 January 2017
*** ****
Fall of wickets 1-45 (Cook, 15.3 ov), 2-45 (Elgar, 16.2 ov), 3-337 (Duminy, 88.4 ov), 4-346 (Olivier, 97.5 ov), 5-364 (du Plessis, 103.3 ov), 6-364 (Bavuma, 103.5 ov), 7-367 (Amla, 107.2 ov), 8-378 (Philander, 109.2 ov), 9-425 (Parnell, 122.1 ov), 10-426 (de Kock, 124.1 ov)
103.5 to Bavuma, 136.7 kph, and another! That’s a sharp snaffle at third slip. This is fuller, outside off, Bavuma can’t resist having a hard-handed push, well away from his body, and it’s grabbed above the head by Silva 364/6
107.2 to Amla, 136.1 kph, brilliant catch! Chandimal has scooped one diving low to his right. Amla’s fine innings is ended. A length delivery just outside off stump, just shapes away enough to take the outside edge as Amla looks to angle it away. It was dying into the cordon. Wouldn’t have reached first slip. Chandimal dived across and got his glove to it. Is rightly delighted with that grab 367/7
109.2 to Philander, 138.4 kph, my goodness! This has leapt off a length. How do you play that? This has spat, jumped at Philander and clipped the thumb of his glove to the keeper 378/8
97.5 to Olivier, 124.4 kph, zips through as Olivier pushes at it, was there a sound? Oxenford doesn’t think so but Mathews and the cordon were pretty confident and ask for the review. There’s a little tickle on the audio as the ball straightens past the outside edge; and Ultra Edge murmurs its assent – that’s it, SL finally have their man, Angie has a second 346/4
88.4 to Duminy, 142.5 kph, and he’s gone! Edges to second slip. He can’t quite see out the day. A length ball angled across outside off, he pushes at it and the thick edge his snaffled to his left by Mendis 337/3
122.1 to Parnell, 140.0 kph, slashed on the up, out to deep point, and gone! A bit of a shock all round. A short ball, outside off, battered high and hard, and in the thin Highveld air it just carries on drifting and drifting to the man back on the rope. Still, they all count. Blimey, he made a meal of that take … his chest did most of the work … 425/9
124.1 to de Kock, 139.6 kph, crashed high and hard out to deep point, and that is the end of that! A well-judged take from de Silva, running round to his right, and comfortably pouched. Kumara claims another four-for, sharing the spoils with Pradeep, but South Africa have a very healthy total on the board 426/10
Fall of wickets 1-0 (Karunaratne, 0.4 ov), 2-47 (Silva, 14.5 ov), 3-62 (Mendis, 20.2 ov), 4-70 (de Silva, 21.4 ov), 5-90 (Chandimal, 31.1 ov), 6-100 (Mathews, 36.6 ov), 7-108 (Herath, 40.2 ov), 8-126 (Lakmal, 43.6 ov), 9-126 (Tharanga, 44.2 ov), 10-131 (Pradeep, 45.4 ov)
21.4 to de Silva, 127.4 kph, driven in the air, and that’s cherry-picking for Bavuma at point! Outside off, full and inviting, but de Silva’s weight was never as committed to the stroke as his bat. Squirts off a fat outside edge, high to Bavuma’s left, and he makes a sharp chance look easy 70/4
31.1 to Chandimal, 126.4 kph, edged and gone! Just too simple for Philander. Perfect line and length, swung through the air, nipped off the seam, flicked the bat and nestled comfortably into de Kock’s gloves. That’s the early breakthrough. They will want and expect a whole heap more this morning… 90/5
45.4 to Pradeep, 137.9 kph, and that’s that! Spooned back to the bowler, jabbing forward at a length delivery which stopped on him, Parnell does very well to stoop low in his followthrough and grab the ball close to the turf. Pradeep stands his ground, the umpires get together. The soft signal is out as they go upstairs. Now then, has he got his fingers. under it? As ever, TV doesn’t make it clear. Remember, soft signal out so evidence has to be conclusive the other way. And Aleem Dar upholds the catch. 131/10
44.2 to Tharanga, 139.2 kph, edged, taken at third slip! Angled across outside off, Tharanga pushing away from his body and it’s a regulation nick which is neatly grabbed by Elgar who just had to move a little to his left 126/9
20.2 to Mendis, 141.6 kph, fierce change-up in pace! And that’s completely suckered Mendis! Pounded into the pitch, attacking the arm-pit, and Mendis flings up his gloves in self-defence, for Duminy to snaffle a simple lobbed chance in the cordon. That’s a quality wicket for a quality fast bowler, and now Sri Lanka’s resolve will be tested 62/3
36.6 to Mathews, 139.2 kph, stunner! That is simply brilliant from Quentin de Kock! A hard, low, flying edge, scooped in one mitt in front of first slip. Mathews didn’t do much wrong there, really. A beautiful line and length that demanded a stroke – he didn’t go looking for it. But the ball nibbled just enough to kiss the edge and the keeper did the rest! A tiny bobble as he hit the turf, but that was world-class 100/6
Fall of wickets 1-2 (Silva, 1.1 ov), 2-39 (Mendis, 12.5 ov), 3-59 (de Silva, 19.2 ov), 4-87 (Mathews, 23.6 ov), 5-108 (Chandimal, 28.6 ov), 6-108 (Karunaratne, 29.3 ov), 7-134 (Herath, 34.6 ov), 8-177 (Tharanga, 40.6 ov), 9-177 (Kumara, 41.2 ov), 10-177 (Lakmal, 42.3 ov)
29.3 to Karunaratne, 139.5 kph, cleaned him up! Full, straight, Karunaratne going for a drive and the ball scoots through the gap that he left. Defeated by the angle, but he left a huge gate. Smart bowling, though. The bail ended up a fine leg! 108/6
34.6 to Herath, 131.8 kph, banged in short, fierce pace and aggression. Nothing Herath could do as the ball reared at his nose. Up come the gloves in self-defence, and down goes the wicket, courtesy of a looped catch to gully 134/7
40.6 to Tharanga, 135.8 kph, short and wide, slashed high, out to deep backward point, Duminy hurtles back, and clings onto a blinder! He turned, gave chase, running fully 20 yards before launching a full-length dive to end a combative stand! 177/8
42.3 to Lakmal, 129.2 kph, short again, an ambitious swipe off the eyebrows, a big steepling top-edge, deep square leg steadies himself, and seals a 3-0 whitewash! Lakmal’s defiance comes to an end, as does a crushingly dominant South African display 177/10
23.6 to Mathews, 135.8 kph, what a catch! That’s one of the greats! A flying Faf at second slip. Short outside off, Mathews flashes with a cross bat. Takes the top edge. For all money it looks like it will clear the slips, but du Plessis leaps, gets terrific hang time, sticks his right hand up and plucks the ball out of thin air. Mathews can barely believe it. Neither can the South Africans. Wow. 87/4
41.2 to Kumara, 141.4 kph, banged in short, flicks something as Lahiru ducks, and South Africa review for the catch! That definitely took the shoulder, but was there bat first? It seems so, the decision is overturned! An infinitesmal nick. Must admit, I barely saw it 177/9
Match details
Series – South Africa won the 3-match series 3-0
Player of the match – JP Duminy (South Africa)
Player of the series – D Elgar (South Africa)
TV umpire – Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Match referee – DC Boon (Australia)
Reserve umpire – AT Holdstock
Close of play
Match Notes
*** ***
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