Proteas – The Stuff of Legend part 1
January 17, 2013 in cricket
Sitting back and actually really reflecting on all that the Proteas have achieved in the last 12 or so months is more than just an eye opener, it’s a realization that we could be watching not only the best ever Proteas side but maybe, just maybe a side that will go down as on of the best ever in world crickets history. The way the Proteas have gone about their business has been relentless and ruthless and when it hasn’t been utter dominance it’s been gritty and no nonsense cricket by the South Africans.
I don’t think us as South Africans fully understand exactly what the boys have achieved recently and I think it’s time to recap a little here.
9-21 November 2011 – Australia arrived on our shores to play a controversially shortened 2 match test series against, at the time, 2ndranked South Africa. The first test match at Newlands
Michael Clarke was in disbelief
makes headlines across the globe as 23 wickets tumble in one day. The Proteas were dismissed for 96 with a top score by Graeme smith of 36 as all-rounder Shane Watson tore through the South African order before a disastrous 2nd innings catastrophe saw Australia bowled out for 47 with a top score by number 11 Nathan Lyon of 14 and Vernon Philander capturing a breathtaking 5 for 15.
South Africa go into their second innings with a target of 236 runs to win. After the turmoil in previous sessions, it seemed like mission impossible, however as he so often does in diversity, Graeme Smith (101 not out) together with Hashim Amla (112) smashed their ways to centuries to lead South Africa to a win and a 1-0 series lead with one match to come. The second match in Johannesburg proved to be fruitless for the Proteas and despite another magnificent Amla hundred it was not enough to stop an Australian victory.
Home Series result DRAWN 1-1
Vernon Philander took 8-78
15Dec-6 January 2011/2012– A test series against Sri Lank was always going to be tricky and South Africa had to find away to improve their home record which at the time looked
Jacques Kallis smashed his way to a second test double ton
worse than their away record. Sri Lanka’s strength was always going to be their batting with the likes of Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, but could they handle the bouncy fast paced pitches of South Africa? The first match proved a one sided affair as Sri Lanka were put in to bat by Graeme Smith and skittled out for 180 before South Africa amassed 411 with half centuries coming from Smith, Boucher and AB de Villiers who was caught on 99. Sri Lanka failed to apply the pressure as they were all out for 150 in their second innings giving the Proteas an innings and 81 run victory. The second test match was played at the Proteas Hoodoo venue, Kingsmead in Durban and once again proved a ground too much for South Africa as they were bowled out for 168 in their first innings and never recovered which meant going into the last test with the series deadlocked at 1-1. The Proteas had nothing to worry about as they were playing this series deciding match at Newlands, Cape Town a cricketing fortress for the Proteas, and it did not disappoint as the Proteas smashed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets led by a Kallis double ton, his second in test cricket and top contributions by Alviro Petersen (109) and AB de Villiers (160 not out) South Africa had won the series.
Home Series result WON 2-1
Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and captain Graeme Smith with their trophies
Part 2 to come next week
The Dutchman said on January 17, 2013
Agreed, glad I am alive to experience this!
stormyrodger said on January 17, 2013
Magic. Thanks for reminding us.
Count Czardas said on January 18, 2013
The current Proteas team is a very good one with the exciting potential to a truly great team. Getting to carried away by a series win over a half baked Kiwi team is a bad idea, this team needs to continue the hard work and earn the tag of greatness. Power to Gary, AD, Paddy and the boys.
sheriffff said on January 18, 2013
I think you might be missing something, I have not mentioned the Kiwi series in this post, not once. but certainly talking about beating ENG and AUS away consecutively (which we have just done, hence the inspiration and motivation for this post) is not getting too carried away.
sheriffff said on January 18, 2013
On top of that, the only team in Test History to have beaten ENG and AUS away consecutively twice was the great West Indian side. This is a GREAT South African side, not just a good one. play them down at your own peril
Rob Boyd said on January 25, 2013
By definition ” beating AUS and ENG away from home consecutively twice ” cannot have been achieved by any of the great ENG or AUS sides of the past.
Count Czardas said on January 18, 2013
Mon Sherri, your post was written now, in the midst of a NZ tour to SA, so crowing about Protea greatest must be seen as being on the back of this test series, whether you mentioned it in part one or were waiting for part two.
Back to back away wins against both England and Oz is indeed a great achievement, and will bode well when the team is considered for greatness.
Calling players or teams great too quickly devalued the term and reminds me of the Pommie press who would call Andy Murray or Damon Hill or Josh Lewsey great at the drop of a hat.
sheriffff said on January 18, 2013
This post is to recap the road to the Proteas successful run that has seen them get to and retain the number 1 ranking, thats all read it as you like
Ian Spear said on January 18, 2013
The South African side of the late 1960′/70′s would have taken some beating. Man for man they were on a par with thepresent crop if not better. Just a humble opinion.
sheriffff said on January 18, 2013
And I don’t disagree with that, the current Proteas team have just gotten to the number 1 ranking, but they could carry on dominating world cricket for another 3 or 4 years. and it is no secret (in fact stats prove it) that this is the most successful Proteas team ever. you can’t argue with facts
Rob Boyd said on January 25, 2013
@Ian Spear
The Australian team that came to SA under Bill Lawry had beaten India 3-1 in India, and contained big names like Ian Chappell, Graham Mackenzie, Lawry himself, Stackpole, Redpath, Walters, Ashley Mallet and the finger spinner Gleeson.
SA walloped them 4-0, winning by an innings once, over 300 runs twice and the closest margin was 170. This remains the worst series defat for any Aussie team.
That is a good enough basis to call the Bacher team the best ever SA side.
Nkululeko said on January 18, 2013
the current proteas team will dominate world cricket and hopefully win the test championship in england in 2017
Jeremy said on January 18, 2013
My only concern is the relatively small amount of actual cricket the Proteas get to play. Now while this can be a good thing (as it prevents the players from getting worn out) we no longer seem to get full test series. If you look at the rankings predictor website, SA are only ranked on 32 tests, far less than Aus, Eng. India and Sri Lanka. For ODI’s it is even worse, SA are ranked on 18 matches which puts them 9th on the list for games played. Why is this? Our lousy CSA admin or bad ICC planning? I would love to see the Proteas play more!
Francois J said on January 21, 2013
After the chaos over the weekend at Paarl, the Proteas show that they are not exempt from swollen heads! What a pity, I still can’t believe it. What a pity that guys like FAF looses his match fee. I dont think that’s fair.
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